The Ridgewood blog was founded in March of 2006 by James J Foytlin aka PJ Blogger . Mr. Foytlin was born and raised in Ridgewood ,New Jersey and is a graduate of Ridgewood High School .
Ridgewood NJ, – Oct. 26, 2009 – RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — The Ridgewood blog ( https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com/ Originally ) (www.theridgewoodblog.net) was founded in March of 2006 by James J Foytlin aka PJ Blogger .[1] Mr. Foytlin was born and raised in Ridgewood ,New Jersey and is a graduate of Ridgewood High School .[2] [3]
After many years living in New York City[4] Mr Foytlin returned to Ridgewood after a divorce and the tragic events of 9/11 . Once he settled in he noticed a lack of sufficient news coverage of local events . One day a friend from Brazil[5] showed him her home town on the internet and to Mr. Foytlin’s great surprise when he tried to reciprocate he was utterly dismayed at the absolute lake coverage of his home town. After all Ridgewood is only 18 miles from midtown Manhattan[6] the media capitol of world and there was not a single picture of Ridgewood to be found . How could this be? Ridgewood is a picturesque upper middle class village of around 25,000 located in Bergen county in northern New Jersey[7] . Founded by Dutch settlers before it became an English colony[8] . The town or village as its called is steeped in rich history and tradition .Known for a large amount of Victorian era housing , a quality school system and a family friendly atmosphere.
Though busy getting reacquainted with his home town the fact that the Village of Ridgewood was so under represented on the internet continued to disturb Mr. Foytlin. Mr. Foytlin had been writing news letters for his job in financial services since the mid 1990’s . The popular flip, off beat investment strategy news letters had become email blasts with the advent of readily accessible internet.[9] By 2004 the email blasts were converted into blog format for the One Small Voice blog (https://onesmallvoice.blogspot.com/ ). [10]
Around that time the Village of Ridgewood had finally completed it’s much anticipated and long delayed renovation of the Village hall which has been flooded out due to Hurricane Floyd.[11] The renovation was marred by huge cost over runs and lengthy delays. In 2005 it opened with great fan fare , was once again flooded with the very first rain . Mr. Foytlin was more shocked by the abject lack of responsibility taken by elected officials than the fact that the $9 million dollar renovation had to some extent been a failure . That was the breaking point and Mr. Foytlin had had enough so he decided to give , citizen journalism a go and created the Ridgewood blog in March of 2006. [12]
The birth of PJ Blogger .By this time Blogging its seems had become quite the rage and mainstream news anchors such as Dan Rather had questioned the validity of information from non professionals sitting around in their Pajama’s blogging.[13] Mr. Foytlin not a fan of Dan Rather or any of the mainstream media decided to blog under the name PJ Blogger as a play on words and to plant himself firmly in the camp of the new digital media.
Innovations by the Ridgewood blog to citizen journalism.
“The Fly” is a column on the Ridgewood blog the originates from the expression ,”I’d like to be a fly on the wall “ . The idea is that every citizen has both a unique perspective and experience and these two factors can be used to gather news and opinions about local issues. Originally only of handful of people in town participated but with time the Ridgewood blog can now count on 20–40 semi regular contributors. These post are both anonymous and signed and are largely opinion as well a breaking news.[14]
The Ridgewood blog brings a free market lassie fare point of view to local issues . Mr. Foytlin aka PJ Blogger has stated that for local issues there are only two kinds of people ;the ones who say spend what every you want because I will not be around to pay the bill and the second group which are more focused on the ,”be careful this is my money your spending” . The Ridgewood blog is dedicated to the interplay of there two groups.[15]
[1][12] the Ridgewood blog website https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com/
[2] Birth Certificate born in Valley Hospital , Ridgewood 04/09/1962
[3] Ridgewood High School Class 1980
[4] 444 East 86th street ,530 East 72nd
[5] Monica Rocha
[6] Mapquest
[7] United States 2000 Census, the village population was 24,936.
[8] https://www.americantowns.com/nj/ridgewood/organization/vi…
[9] Fahnestock & Co. now Oppenheimer & Co.
[10] https://onesmallvoice.blogspot.com/
[11] https://www.ridgewoodlibrary.org/localhistory/lh_vh_pease.htm
[13] https://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110005611
[14] [15] James J Foytlin
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Thanks for the history Lesson the Blog. Hopefully it could remain non-bias and report “news” fairly. Thanks James.
This is one man that we can use on the village council, we need people with brain’s.
Congratulations
James:
Congratulations on your blog’s anniversary. It has become a very important tool for Villagers to express their views. – both for and against issues. This is part of a dialogue that is very much needed and; it makes people think. Thank you for all your efforts.
Happy birthday to The Blog! Long live the Blog!
Just goes to show what “one small voice” can do! Thank you James for giving us a voice!
Thank you James. Wish you and the blog a happy birthday.
Congratulations. The Blog serves an important role in Ridgewood during this critical time.
Congrats! Keep up the good work!
Congrats….keep the heat on….
Happy Birthday PJ! You have brought the ‘stay in tune’ quality to the latest Village important issues and happenings, with your blog over its years to all who live in the Village. Thanks to you, many hundreds of people and neighborhoods from every corner, have been inspired, brought together and come out to voice their opinions for a unified cause. It takes a Village. Thank you many times over for all you do!
A daily read and a great source of all opinions. Happy anniversary James
Hey PJ nothing from Halaby ?
no love …………….
You do a good job, this is where I get my info for 07450
Congrats
Congrats PJ, I am definitely in the “be careful this is my money you’re spending” group – we’re taxed to death in NJ. In addition to the Cuban cigar I owe you, I look forward to highlighting the hypocrisy and abject greed of the $100K pensionistas, Platinum health benefit hogs, and union thugs and toadies who populate the other end of the spectrum on this blog and feed at the public trough. May the debate continue, but the headlines get uglier and uglier by day highlighting how much harm the unions and their “bought & paid for” elected officials in Trenton have ruined the economy and finances of NJ.
Congratulations !!! Keep up the much needed great work !
And many happy returns of the day!!
Happy Birthday James, and thank you for all your hard work on The Blog. It really has given us a voice against insanity and we all appreciate it. The Blog was largely responsible for exposing the corruption of the Aronsohn-Pucciarealli-Hauck-Sonenfeld regime. So glad we got them GONE. Whether people agree with everything the current council does, nor not, we can at least be certain that the current council is not corrupt, unethical, lying, nasty……Thank goodness. Long Live The Blog!!!
This blog is a classic example of the “Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant” adage.
Let the sun shine, James.
The blog is…
…an essential and free resource, especially as newspapers sadly fade
…a welcome opportunity to read fellow residents’ views and observations
…a place to learn about important local news not easily found elsewhere
…a labor of love. Thank you.
LONG LIVE THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.
This blog is a great grass roots political tool. Moving of Valley Hospital, ending of big garage, change of council and much more, this blog made possible.
A blog is essential.. especially for luddites in Ridgewood 🙂 …. keep on truckin’….
Many happy returns of the day!!
The Ridgewood Blog is essential reading for all Ridgewood residents who wish to be up to date on Ridgewood issues.
Happy birthday James
Just curious why you nevet opted to be a tax payer in Ridgewood? Own a home? Join a committee or run for office?
Ditto – – many happy returns of the day!!!!
Pave the streets !
Congratulations James!
All we can say is thank God for the blog, we the people for the people of freedom of speech .
Mrs Values, do you live in Ridgewood? Why are you poking your big nose in Ridgewood matters?
I live in Ridgewood and I know James has NEVER owned a home in town.
We the people for the people for your my speech
Jeff Voigt April 9, 2016 at 1:18 pm
James:
Congratulations on your blog’s anniversary. It has become a very important tool for Villagers to express their views. – both for and against issues. This is part of a dialogue that is very much needed and; it makes people think. Thank you for all your efforts.
HAHAHAHAHA Jeffie boy, you love the blog.
Congrats!!!!
The Ridgewood Blog has provided Power to the People!
Thank you!
12:49 is Right Street surface condition is so dangerous there should be an investigation as to how this was allowed to happen and where exactly that money went
These are the basics of local government responsibility
Forget the annual hero list of what lucky lanes get milled after they are left to go to seed for decades
Mismanagement run deep
Just look dowm as you step into the next crater
Meanwhile police cozy in latest SUV ..only the best for the gold plated favorites with our money
Freedom of speech
Jeff Voigt long live the blog
Democracy dies in darkness…keep the lights on.
But tell Boyd not to be so insufferable.
Long live the blog and the blue eyed man who runs it!
On behalf of residents of Mahwah, Ramsey, Upper and Saddle River Happy Birthday PJ!
Your blog is being read not only in Ridgewood. Keep up the good work!
I read you everyday and I recommend others odd to.
Thank you!
Derek Michalski
Founder’s Day kind of sounds like some sort of Russian celebration…no ?
No it dose not
Thank you for doing this James! The Ridgewood News was not cutting it alone.
The Ridgewood News does not cut it at all, Bill. Terrible rag
Long live THE BLOG, and by the way long live BOYD also. His photos keep us informed and are greatly appreciated.
Mr. pesmith, was “Luddite” on your word-a-day calendar and you were just itching to use it in a sentence? If The Ridgewood News, Patch, et al, did their jobs as professional journalists, there would be no real need for TRB. However, when the Borg Family and AOL/HuffPo team up to be news sources with an ax to grind and only report one side of the story, something has to fill the vacuum. Happy birthday, James. It’s a thankless job but someone has to watch the sandbox.
PESmith is arrogant and condescending. So glad he moved outta Ridgewood. Good friend of Sonenfeld too. yuck
Congrats keep up The good works.. This is the most information I ever get about what goes on in town.
Resident since 1969