>Despite sharp objections voiced by several residents of the Glen School and Hawes School residential neighborhoods, Village Council members unanimously approved the new Athletic Field Use Policy at their Wednesday evening Public Meeting.
Citing increasing noise, pervasive litter, intrusive field lights, unruly athletes and spectators, and the presence of outsiders on each day of the week during certain months, residents encouraged the Council to reconsider approving a policy that would encourage even greater use of open space in the Village for organized sporting events.
It continues to be a major issue in the village often pitting the needs of the local neighborhoods with the needs of the Ridgewood Sports Council.
>Following public comments at Wednesday night’s Village Council meeting opposing the use of portable lights and generators on athletic fields, Councilman Jacques Harlow publicly revealed that the massive meeting turnout by nearby residents opposed to Bergen County’s bike path extension project did not influence the Council’s ultimate decision. That is, Mr. Harlow suggested he and his fellow Council members would have opposed the project anyway. Duh?
Well, this particular fly on the wall watched all of those Council meetings. And, it is my humble impression that Mr. Harlow in particular would not have known anything about the bike path extension unless the residents living nearby had come to the microphone opposing it. So, to suggest that there is no need for residents to express their views at Council meetings, because Council members know everything that’s going on and will always make the right decision, has just got to go down on record as one of the most asinine statements of 2006.
Fellow taxpayers: if it troubles you, come to the microphone. Don’t be intimidated by Mr. Harlow or anyone else on the Council. They are all human beings, and thus subject to making mistakes, just like you and I.
Remember; the Village Hall renovation project came in almost $5 million over budget. And just what group was responsible for overseeing that project? You guessed it; the Village Council.
Next Village Council meeting: 9/27/06 @ 7:30 PM. Public comment section kicks off the meeting. Be there!
>I too attend as many meetings as I can make, and would encourage anyone with a question, comment, gripe, suggestion to step forward. That is the only chance you may get to raise an issue if something needs to be addressed in your opinion. Most likely, if your suggestion or grievance warrants attention, they will delegate a committee to work on it…they seem to really enjoy doing that.
But I would suggest that you approach a council member after the meeting and let them know you are interested in being on said committee…get involved, and stay involved. Like the old proverb says, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Otherwise, we all know what kind of results the current council will achieve if left unattended…
As far as the fields are concerned…I witnessed a fist fight about 8 years ago between a soccer coach and a foorball spectator over use of field space on Vets…What a show that was. The field space Ridgewood has for team and public use is spectacular…and we all know that the local residents knew that they were living near the fields when theey bought their homes…but some consideration for their proximity needs to be taken. Quality of life issues are what makes a community either good or bad. Just look at NYC…Midtown Manhattan was a disaster until the mayor and police started focusing on quality of life issues…and now you can walk around most anywhere in midtown without having to even worry about running into trouble. Much smaller scale, but same idea here