file photo Boyd Loving
November 6th 2015
Written by Anne LaGrange Loving
I had to shake my head when I read Mayor Paul Aronsohn’s commentary in today’s Ridgewood News Mayor’s Corner about what he referred to as “a disinformation campaign that sought to confuse and undermine” the conversation about the parking deck. How pitiful it is that our Mayor felt it necessary to fire off such harsh criticism against a document that did not support this project.
He characterized the flyer as “distorted;” it had a drawing that was not to exact scale, but unlike the official drawing being put forth from Village Hall, the flyer’s at least included surrounding buildings, thus making it in many ways a more realistic depiction of what is to come.
“Anonymous mailer?” The signs that proclaimed VOTE YES on parking had absolutely no identification as to who had produced and distributed them. What made these less anonymous than the flyer? And what is the Mayor’s great opposition to anonymity? – when we go into the voting booth, we are always anonymous.
The Mayor actually analyzed the language in the flyer and sought to identify the post office from which it was sent? Really? What is the threat that inspired such intense detective work on his part? Of course the flyer was created and sent from a person or persons who opposed the plan; who else would send it? It is dismaying that the mayor is putting so much effort into determining the source of the flyer; this level of investigation suggests that the sender/s, if identified, could be subjected to some kind of retribution. I am hopeful that the Mayor would tread very carefully here, as freedom of speech is a right and a privilege.
Amazingly, when an anonymous email was sent to Councilman Sedon’s employer minutes after his campaign became official in 2014, Mr. Aronsohn took no action. When members of the public implored him to press forward with identifying who tainted our election process by trying to derail a candidate’s campaign, Mr. Aronsohn still did not take any kind of stand. Only when publicly pressed him to DO SOMETHING did he finally, 17 months later, send a very benign request for information, with no outrage about what had happened to Councilman Sedon, and no description of how urgently the citizens of Ridgewood wanted to identify the culprit. I would have to ask the mayor why his indignation about this anonymous parking garage flyer so overshadows his disinterest in the anonymous email during the 2014 elections.
It is a sad state of affairs when our own Mayor does not encourage those who disagree with him to share their opinions with their fellow citizens, and accuses them of undermining an initiative that he supports. I did not write, pay for, or distribute the flyer, and did not even get one in the mail. But, I was very happy to see it and more than willing to share it once I saw it. The flyer provided another part of the conversation about the Parking Garage project. The last time I checked, here in America we are entitled to express ourselves. Speaking up is our right, and the person/s who sent the flyer should be applauded.
I wish people would use correct spelling, it’s “sore” not soar. Not smarter than a 5th grader I guess.
I’m a broken record…there are a half-dozen second generation Villagers that run the town. Paulie follows directions so he is valuable to the cadre.
P.J. Blogger has dyslexia and spelling problems. If there is a mistake in a headline, it probably came from him, not the author.
I don’t see a spelling error but anybody using their iPad knows that it always wants to auto correct. Ms. Loving made excellent points and though the vote was 2 to1 I donot see it as overwhelming support for a garage more like support for more parking options. Signs all over town said vote YES for parking. I too am thankful for the informative flyer and I did support it. People need options and they need all the information they can get when casting a vote.
They hate it SO MUCH when they’re unable to identify those who disagree with them. Anne Loving is right on here. The reason they do want to identify is so they can figure out how to get back at them. Sore winner is right.
Aronsohn is on a witch hunt against whoever made the flyer. What are we living in a communist country where if you speak out against the Council Majority you will be hunted down like plague-riddled rat and hung at the stake? He is really scary. This is bullying at its worst.
According to hauck and roberta it was a vote for parking, not for a specific design. They would never mislead us.
The other sore winner was weird al. He posted a sarcastic remark on facebook the day after the vote.
He still owes us a good explanation of what happened to Sedon. Someone was trying to interfere with our election.
Who sent the flyer – who cares. He forgot to put his name on the parking vote signs too.
The amount of individuals who voted in favor of the garage clearly represents the upper limit of the number of residents willing and able to vote to knowingly support the misbehavior of the three amigos. Now we know how many votes are needed to counteract and countervail that disappointing cohort of voters.
What is the point of insulting PJ Blogger? That sounds suspiciously like Paul and Albert, casting blame on something else rather than addressing the point at hand. Oldest diversionary tactic in the world. “Honey I found out you are cheating on me.” Instead of addressing the infidelity, the cheater comes back with “How dare you read my email!”
Paul, Albert, we know who you are.
9:34 – Yes, the mayor does owe us a good explanation as to what happened with the Mike Sedon employer email. And how about a good explanation as to why he did not spearhead a witch hunt on that, as he has done on this flyer. And we know there is a good explanation. Word is that one member of the community had a long and detailed conversation and email exchange with the editor of the Staten Island Advance. Word is that this information will be revealed at a key time in the foreseeable future. Hang onto your hat, Paul, the truth is coming on this one………..
Since the newspaper was a part of this crime why don’t they just publish their explanation?
This isn’t Staten Island so I can understand why they might not want to do their own investigation. Just give the public the news facts. Why hold back?
Be still my heart, 9:12. Can we really hope for this? More important, will it demonstrate beyond a doubt who was behind that unforgivable act?
11:44, we already know beyond a doubt who was behind this, and that person of course knows it too. There is an election coming. Good to release salient facts when the timing is right and certain people are riding high on their egos.
Will Aronsohn avoid running for re-election to avoid facing accusations of complicity in the Sedon email affair?
We hear tell that he is not going to run again, that he will be moving. One can only hope . . . .
What is the penalty for defacing a dedication plate on a public building? THE PAUL ARONSOHN MEMORIAL PARKING GARAGE. Or will it be another Brendan Byrne Arena/State Forest?