Churches helping tackle the education gap
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Days after a school pep rally for Paterson native and Giants star Victor Cruz, the pastor of St. Luke's Baptist Church updated his Facebook status with a message that had nothing to do with football:
"To ALL of the parents who brought their kids to see Victor Cruz on Saturday — with that same enthusiasm COME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!!!"
The Rev. Kenneth D.R. Clayton, along with other black clergy in North Jersey, doesn't just preach the Bible from the pulpit, but is also in the fight to shrink the educational achievement gap in their communities. Pastors talk to parents about the importance of being involved, review report cards at Sunday service, reward youngsters for good grades and offer tutoring and parent workshops in their houses of worship.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/138763839_No_Title_-_educationchurch0206_TR.html
The Ridgewood Blog
Monday, February 06, 2012
Trenton’s dueling plans for tax relief
Trenton’s dueling plans for tax relief
Governor Christie wants an across-the-board income tax cut, but Democrats say the priority should be middle-class property-tax relief.
There's only one problem: New Jersey may not be able to afford either one.
The 10 percent income tax cut Christie wants to enact over three years beginning in 2013 — along with a restoration of the earned-income tax credit for low-wage workers he's also proposed — would cost the state more than $1 billion, according to an analysis discussed last week by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services. (Reitmeyer, The Record)
Throughout New Jersey, police officer retirements lead to leaner forces
Throughout New Jersey, police officer retirements lead to leaner forces
Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey can claim something few people in his position in New Jersey can: He has led a big-city department through the economic downturn without laying off one police officer.
Instead of pink slips, Comey has been besieged by a historic surge in retirements that has touched all corners of the state. As a result, he has lost 103 officers, or about 12 percent of his overall force, forcing him to disband the community affairs department and the police academy, and transfer officers out of the traffic unit to keep up with neighborhood patrols. (Renshaw and Baxter, The Star-Ledger)
“the Telephone Pole Solar Panel Rip-Off”
“the Telephone Pole Solar Panel Rip-Off”
While I am finishing up part 5 of the series “the Telephone Pole Solar Panel Rip-Off”, I want to bring to everyone’s attention some interesting information that is being compiled on the operation of solar panels by Germany. The reason it should be of interest is because many in the state use Germany as a blueprint for New Jersey’s solar panel program.
Since the 1980’s the Green Party in Germany has pushed the country to invest enormous amounts of money in “Green” power projects. Because of this the installed solar cell base is 1.1 million power systems and is rated at 25 gigawatts. That might sound impressive until you convert is to megawatts and realize that it is 25,000 megawatts. That is about the same amount of electricity, if all of the cells are producing at the same time what would be produced by 25 average coal fired or nuclear powered generating plants.
To get this 25,000 megawatts Germany has paid a tremendous price. They have invested over 100 billion Euros to install these units and just recently the return on investment in the form of electricity from this expenditure was: ZERO.
Of course you will not read about this in the New York Times, Washington Post or on NBC, ABC or CBS since it does not support the green energy myth they have been pushing. You will though find out about these problems if you are an investor researching various companies in the alternative energy fields.
I was reading an article entitled Dark Clouds Threaten German Clean Energy Ambitions: Global Implications by John Peterson, an American living in Switzerland. This one quote really hit home:
“For weeks now, the 1.1 million solar power systems in Germany have generated almost no electricity.”
Because of this Germany has had to import electricity from France and Czech Republic. 100 billion Euros spent and they still have to import energy to heat and light their homes. Could this be the future of New Jersey? Well, some people want it that way and are willing to lie to us in order to make it so.
Writing at EcoOutfitters.net, Dawn Allcot compares Germany and New Jersey then makes this statement:
There’s a simple answer, and the proof is in the power. (So to speak…) Germany is currently the world’s leader in solar energy production. Last year, the country’s solar plants produced more than 13,000mw of solar energy - enough to power 4.3 million homes, according to an article on the BBC website about solar power in Europe.
And Germany isn’t exactly noted for its sunny, temperate weather. Let’s look at a snapshot of conditions in a few areas around Berlin today, according to Weather Underground:
• Scattered clouds
• Mostly cloudy
• Scattered Clouds
• Scattered Clouds
• Clear
• Mostly Cloudy…
This sure sounds a lot like the weather we get in New Jersey, and if we accepted what Allcot takes as gospel from the BBC, it might make sense for New Jersey to follow in Germany’s “green” footsteps. But before we open the checkbook, how about we consider this little piece of information by Alexander Neubacher at Spiegel Online International:
It gets worse:
http://conservativenewjersey.com/a-new-look-at-solar-panels
Changes to anti-bullying bill delayed
Changes to anti-bullying bill delayed
Gov. Chris Christie and legislative sponsors of the anti-bullying law deemed unconstitutional for imposing costs on schools without providing funds expressed willingness last week to make the changes needed to keep the law on the books.
Resolution for the law’s uncertain future appears unlikely until the spring at the earliest, however. Christie said it’s not possible to determine how to proceed until reading the state Council on Local Mandates’ written opinion, and the council doesn’t plan on issuing that until March 27. (Symons, Gannett)
Latest move by Ridgewood Teachers seen as "childish"
Latest move by Ridgewood Teachers seen as "childish"
When compliance with job requirements is used as a vehicle for personal gain, something is wrong. These teachers that are supposed to be models of behavior are taking their job dispute to school and displaying it to their students. Is that supposed to earn them respect? If the students brought their disagreements to the classroom,
I doubt it would be tolerated in kind. And by the way, trying to make a point with a last minute decision to go back on a commitment or putting on this bratty disply in front of the kids each morning is indeed childish, to say the least
.
When compliance with job requirements is used as a vehicle for personal gain, something is wrong. These teachers that are supposed to be models of behavior are taking their job dispute to school and displaying it to their students. Is that supposed to earn them respect? If the students brought their disagreements to the classroom,
I doubt it would be tolerated in kind. And by the way, trying to make a point with a last minute decision to go back on a commitment or putting on this bratty disply in front of the kids each morning is indeed childish, to say the least
.
Teacher tenure reform headed for runway
Teacher tenure reform headed for runway
Public school teachers would no longer enjoy tenure as lifetime job security and principals would have more power over personnel decisions under major legislation expected to be introduced today.
The bill would allow for currently tenured teachers to lose their job protections, expose ineffective teachers to layoffs and give greater latitude to school districts in firing.
State Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, who heads the state Senate Education Committee, will sponsor the legislation. Gov. Chris Christie, who has now made education reform his top priority, has praised Ruiz for taking a “laboring role” in the tenure reform work. (Method, Gannett)
Ridgewood Teachers show of force backfires with public
Ridgewood Teachers show of force backfires with public
There is no honor and no point made by putting on a show for the students each morning or, in the case of the Wizards fundraiser, pulling out of a commitment at the last minute.
And please spare me about the leaving after contracted hours. Some teachers might do it, but a lot more don't stay until 9th period is over. As far as I'm concerned, I don't need to see teachers arrive early, but if they're doing in just so they can linger outside and set such a crappy example for the students, then I have a problem.
What they are doing IS bratty, childish, and in case you haven't noticed, is having the same negative effect as the last stunt did. Whoever is making these decisions needs a lesson in public relations and whoever is complying, a lesson in doing one's job with pride and appreciating having a job while so many are losing theirs.
I sincerely hope you're not a teacher. It's scary to think that such a small mind is in charge of educating others. Try thinking for yourself. These stunts are making you look stupid.
There is no honor and no point made by putting on a show for the students each morning or, in the case of the Wizards fundraiser, pulling out of a commitment at the last minute.
And please spare me about the leaving after contracted hours. Some teachers might do it, but a lot more don't stay until 9th period is over. As far as I'm concerned, I don't need to see teachers arrive early, but if they're doing in just so they can linger outside and set such a crappy example for the students, then I have a problem.
What they are doing IS bratty, childish, and in case you haven't noticed, is having the same negative effect as the last stunt did. Whoever is making these decisions needs a lesson in public relations and whoever is complying, a lesson in doing one's job with pride and appreciating having a job while so many are losing theirs.
I sincerely hope you're not a teacher. It's scary to think that such a small mind is in charge of educating others. Try thinking for yourself. These stunts are making you look stupid.
NJ Transit officials say rail ‘bill of rights’ is unnecessary
NJ Transit officials say rail ‘bill of rights’ is unnecessary
New York transit agencies unveiled a passenger “bill of rights” for rail commuters last week, but NJ Transit officials said they’re not planning to launch a similar pledge on this side of the Hudson because the agency’s Scorecard initiative is already covering the same issues.
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North, which includes commuter rail service in Connecticut, unveiled their own versions of a rail passenger bill of rights or “pledge to customers” last week, which will be posted in stations and on the agency website. (Higgs, Gannett)
Rhode Island’s Bold Pension Reforms Point the Way Forward
Rhode Island’s Bold Pension Reforms Point the Way Forward
by Ivan Osorio on January 5, 2012 ·
To describe pension reform, Utah State Senator Dan Liljenquist put it best: “This is not a conservative-versus-liberal issue, this is a reality issue.” Liljenquist helped his state face up to the reality of its underfunded public employee pensions by leading a successful reform effort. Utah is a fairly conservative state, but some far more liberal states are also tackling their pension problems — and not just to prove Liljenquist’s point.
http://www.openmarket.org/2012/01/05/rhode-islands-bold-pension-reforms-point-the-way-forward/
by Ivan Osorio on January 5, 2012 ·
To describe pension reform, Utah State Senator Dan Liljenquist put it best: “This is not a conservative-versus-liberal issue, this is a reality issue.” Liljenquist helped his state face up to the reality of its underfunded public employee pensions by leading a successful reform effort. Utah is a fairly conservative state, but some far more liberal states are also tackling their pension problems — and not just to prove Liljenquist’s point.
http://www.openmarket.org/2012/01/05/rhode-islands-bold-pension-reforms-point-the-way-forward/
Assembly panel approves bills to force more oversight over Port Authority
Assembly panel approves bills to force more oversight over Port Authority
No
officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey appeared
Thursday at an Assembly hearing to discuss bills designed to make the
agency more accountable.
The
bistate agency’s snub didn’t stop the Assembly Transportation Public
Works and Independent Authorities Committee from voting to release four
bills that would make the agency more accountable and transparent in
light of headlines about rampant overtime, hiring of the politically
connected and the fiasco over last summer’s hastily approved toll and
PATH fare hikes. (Higgs, Gannett)
Federal agency eases waiting time for offshore wind projects
Federal agency eases waiting time for offshore wind projects
The prospect of wind turbines spinning off the Jersey Coast grew more likely yesterday, when the U.S. Department of Interior cleared the way for leasing activities for offshore wind farms by the end of the year.
In
finding that leasing and site assessment activities at potential
offshore wind farm sites posed no significant environmental impact, the
Bureau of Ocean Management probably shaved as much as two years off the
time it would take developers to navigate the permitting process,
according to offshore wind advocates. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Superstitious Giants fans break out good luck charms for the big game
Superstitious Giants fans break out good luck charms for the big game
Friday, February 3, 2012
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
For the Giants, success this Sunday in Indianapolis will not hinge on Eli Manning’s imposing arm or Victor Cruz’s fleet feet. No, it will all come down to Sue Alexander’s inch-tall Mr. Potato Head, of course.
"It’s my good luck charm," Alexander, a Clifton resident, said this week, dressed in all her Giants finery as she riffled through her purse, proudly producing the mustachioed figurine.
"I wore him as part of my Giants necklace the whole season, through the good and bad," said Alexander, who plans to watch the big game with her cat, L.T. "For me, he’s what’s gotten the team through it all."
http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138698609_Fan_frenzy_for_Giants_builds_in_Indy_and_at_home.html
Friday, February 3, 2012
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
For the Giants, success this Sunday in Indianapolis will not hinge on Eli Manning’s imposing arm or Victor Cruz’s fleet feet. No, it will all come down to Sue Alexander’s inch-tall Mr. Potato Head, of course.
"It’s my good luck charm," Alexander, a Clifton resident, said this week, dressed in all her Giants finery as she riffled through her purse, proudly producing the mustachioed figurine.
"I wore him as part of my Giants necklace the whole season, through the good and bad," said Alexander, who plans to watch the big game with her cat, L.T. "For me, he’s what’s gotten the team through it all."
http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138698609_Fan_frenzy_for_Giants_builds_in_Indy_and_at_home.html
Classic Super Bowl promises grand ending to NFL season
Classic Super Bowl promises grand ending to NFL season
By Julian Linden
INDIANAPOLIS | Fri Feb 3, 2012 6:32pm EST
(Reuters) - One of the most tumultuous National Football League (NFL) seasons ever will climax on Sunday when the New York Giants and New England Patriots lock horns in the 46th Super Bowl.
A season that almost did not happen because of the bitter labor dispute between team owners and the players' union has not only survived but produced a classic encounter between two of the NFL's most popular franchises.
The United States has been whipped into a frenzy of excitement with more than 70,000 people expected to cram into Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to watch the game live while an estimated record worldwide audience of more than 160 million are expected to watch the extravaganza unfold on television.
"It's been an extraordinary year for the NFL on many different levels," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said on Friday."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/03/us-nfl-superbowl-preview-idUSTRE8121U020120203
By Julian Linden
INDIANAPOLIS | Fri Feb 3, 2012 6:32pm EST
(Reuters) - One of the most tumultuous National Football League (NFL) seasons ever will climax on Sunday when the New York Giants and New England Patriots lock horns in the 46th Super Bowl.
A season that almost did not happen because of the bitter labor dispute between team owners and the players' union has not only survived but produced a classic encounter between two of the NFL's most popular franchises.
The United States has been whipped into a frenzy of excitement with more than 70,000 people expected to cram into Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to watch the game live while an estimated record worldwide audience of more than 160 million are expected to watch the extravaganza unfold on television.
"It's been an extraordinary year for the NFL on many different levels," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said on Friday."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/03/us-nfl-superbowl-preview-idUSTRE8121U020120203
Ridgweood Giants fans gear up for big game
Ridgweood Giants fans gear up for big game
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
It’s a red, white and blue weekend, but residents in these parts are hoping no one celebrates the Patriots. Sunday marks the unofficial holiday when gorging on Buffalo wings, guacamole and every imaginable salty, sweet and sour snack is the norm, and praying to the gridiron gods is highly suggested.
Super Bowl fever has struck the village, and based on the various forms of football paraphernalia spotted throughout town during the past week, there’s no questioning which team has Ridgewood’s support.
http://www.northjersey.com/community/138624754_Giants_fans_gear_up_for_big_game.html
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
It’s a red, white and blue weekend, but residents in these parts are hoping no one celebrates the Patriots. Sunday marks the unofficial holiday when gorging on Buffalo wings, guacamole and every imaginable salty, sweet and sour snack is the norm, and praying to the gridiron gods is highly suggested.
Super Bowl fever has struck the village, and based on the various forms of football paraphernalia spotted throughout town during the past week, there’s no questioning which team has Ridgewood’s support.
http://www.northjersey.com/community/138624754_Giants_fans_gear_up_for_big_game.html
Taylor Armstrong, at Bookends ,Tuesday February 7, 2012 @ 7pm
Taylor Armstrong, Tuesday, February 7, 2012 @ 7pm
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Star, Taylor Armstrong, will be signing her new book:
Hiding from Reality; My story of Love, Loss, and Finding the Courage from Within
Book available Feb. 7th
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to insure that all customers coming to Bookends' signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
TSA: See Something Eat Something ....
TSA Trains Super Bowl Hot Dog Sellers To Spot Terrorists
VIPR search teams to be out in force before Sunday’s big game
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
Friday, February 3, 2012
Despite acknowledging there are “no credible or specific threats” to the safety of the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis on Sunday, the TSA is training thousands of fast food sellers and other vendors to spot terrorists under the “First Observer” program.
“TSA said over 8,000 stadium vendors, parking lot attendants, shuttle bus drivers, and other transportation professionals received the agency’s First Observer training for detecting and assessing indicators and planning tactics of potential terrorist activities,” reports Government Security News.
http://www.infowars.com/tsa-trains-super-bowl-hot-dog-sellers-to-spot-terrorists/
VIPR search teams to be out in force before Sunday’s big game
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
Friday, February 3, 2012
Despite acknowledging there are “no credible or specific threats” to the safety of the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis on Sunday, the TSA is training thousands of fast food sellers and other vendors to spot terrorists under the “First Observer” program.
“TSA said over 8,000 stadium vendors, parking lot attendants, shuttle bus drivers, and other transportation professionals received the agency’s First Observer training for detecting and assessing indicators and planning tactics of potential terrorist activities,” reports Government Security News.
http://www.infowars.com/tsa-trains-super-bowl-hot-dog-sellers-to-spot-terrorists/
Productions For A Cause, Inc. to Host “Cabaret For A Cause”
Productions For A Cause, Inc. to Host “Cabaret For A Cause”
New Jersey-Based Nonprofit Organization Raises Awareness for Mental Health Issues in a Unique Way.
BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY (January 11, 2012)- Productions For A Cause, Incorporated, a New Jersey Nonprofit organization, announced today that it is hosting a special event to raise awareness of various mental health issues. “Cabaret For A Cause” will be held on Sunday, March 4th at the Ridgewood Elks Lodge located at 111 N. Maple Ave. in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The cost is $12 per person if pre-purchased on their site, and $15 at the door.
The event will feature musical and dance performances to educate guests on multiple mental health issues. Poetry readings, artwork and photography will also be featured to highlight the topics of suicide, addiction and homelessness. Community resource information will be available to individuals who are interested in services. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to sponsor their next event dedicated to Autism Awareness this upcoming July, with all earnings donated to Autism NJ.
Productions for a Cause, Incorporated is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and education of various social and medical causes through the utilization of the arts. Through dance, artwork, music, drama and poetry community residents are entertained while supporting a specific cause. Proceeds of the charitable event are tax deductible and are donated to a chosen foundation. The organization’s first event, “Burn The Secrets, Light the Truth,” was dedicated to Domestic Violence. Over $1,000 was donated to the NJ Coalition for Battered Women.
For tickets and information visit www.productionsforacause.org or contact Tana Quigley, LCSW at tanaproductionsforacause.org.
New Jersey-Based Nonprofit Organization Raises Awareness for Mental Health Issues in a Unique Way.
BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY (January 11, 2012)- Productions For A Cause, Incorporated, a New Jersey Nonprofit organization, announced today that it is hosting a special event to raise awareness of various mental health issues. “Cabaret For A Cause” will be held on Sunday, March 4th at the Ridgewood Elks Lodge located at 111 N. Maple Ave. in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The cost is $12 per person if pre-purchased on their site, and $15 at the door.
The event will feature musical and dance performances to educate guests on multiple mental health issues. Poetry readings, artwork and photography will also be featured to highlight the topics of suicide, addiction and homelessness. Community resource information will be available to individuals who are interested in services. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to sponsor their next event dedicated to Autism Awareness this upcoming July, with all earnings donated to Autism NJ.
Productions for a Cause, Incorporated is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and education of various social and medical causes through the utilization of the arts. Through dance, artwork, music, drama and poetry community residents are entertained while supporting a specific cause. Proceeds of the charitable event are tax deductible and are donated to a chosen foundation. The organization’s first event, “Burn The Secrets, Light the Truth,” was dedicated to Domestic Violence. Over $1,000 was donated to the NJ Coalition for Battered Women.
For tickets and information visit www.productionsforacause.org or contact Tana Quigley, LCSW at tanaproductionsforacause.org.
Black History Month : Black Founders
Black History Month : Black Founders
In celebration of Black History Month the Ridgewood blog recognizes the contributions of Black Founders and Patriots who fought and contributed to the founding of this Great Nation .
Samuel and Elizabeth "Phoebe" France
Samuel Fraunces was a mulatto, a person with one whie and one black parent, from Jamaica. His was most likely born in 1734, though it could have been as early at 1722. At some point in his life he immigrated to the colonies and settled in New York City, eventually becoming the owner of a tavern. It was rumored that during the Revolutionary War, his tavern was used as a meeting place for Patriots. On December 4, 1783, George Washington delivered his farewell to his officers at Fraunce's Tavern. Apparently Washington and Fraunces had a personal and business relationship. The two dined together at the Old 76 House in Tappan, New York, and Fraunces cooked for Washington at the DeWint House, which is also in Tappan. Fraunces also served a steward to President Washington in New York City, and in Philadelphia from 1791 to 1794. George Washington Parke Custis, Martha's grandson, remarked on Fraunces at a state dinner, "Fraunces in snow-white apron, silk shorts and stockings, and hair in full powder, placed the first dish on the table, the clock being on the stroke of four, 'the labors of Hercules' ceased."
Fraunces is also known to have helped feed the 13,000 American prisoners of war kept around New York City, including those kept on the notorious prison ships.
Fraunces and his wife, Elizabeth Dailey, had seven children, one by the name of Elizabeth, but called Phoebe. During the Revolution, Washington came to stay at a place called Mortier House in New York Cith. He wrote to ask Fraunces to find for him a housekeeper. Fraunces sent his daughter Phoebe. It is possible that he sent her because he had heard a rumor that an attempt was to be made on Washington's life, or it may be that Phoebe discovered this plot while working at Mortier House. Either way, one of Washington's body guards, Thomas Hickey, was executed for attempting to poison the general. Phoebe and her father are credited with discovering the plot, and Fraunces is credited with removing the poisoned peas intended for Washington's dinner. Phoebe was ten years old at the time of Hickey's execution in June of 1776.
Jordan Freeman and Lambert Latham
In 1781, at the Battle of Groton Heights near New London, Connecticut, 185 Patriots, black and white, tried to hold off the 1,700 British led by that turncoat, Benedict Arnold. So heavily outnumbered, the Americans had no chance for victory, but refused to just surrender. They retreated to nearby Fort Griswold. The British stormed the fort. The Patriots ran out of ammunition and began fighting with bayonets, the butts of their muskets, and pikes. During this last stand, Jordan Freeman speared Major Montgomery who was leading the bayonet charge on the fort. About the same time, Lambert Latham picked up the American flag which had been shot off of its poll, and held it above his head.
Finally, the British were able to capture the fort. A British captain asked who was in charge of the fort. Colonel William Ledyard answered, "I did once. You do now." As he stepped forward he offered his sword to the British officer, a sign of surrender. The officer took Ledyard's sword and thrust it into his body to the hilt. Lambert . . . retaliated upon the [British] officer by thrusting his bayonet through his body. Lambert, in return, received from the enemy thirty-three bayonet wounds, and thus fell, nobly avenging the death of his commander.
The British response to the death of their captain and other officers was to slaughter every man, including Freeman. A plaque at the fort honors these men for their bravery.
Freeman had been the slave of Ledyard, but had been freed. Freeman stayed living near his former master, married, and enlisted when the fighting began, serving side-by-side with his former master.
In celebration of Black History Month the Ridgewood blog recognizes the contributions of Black Founders and Patriots who fought and contributed to the founding of this Great Nation .
Samuel and Elizabeth "Phoebe" France
Samuel Fraunces was a mulatto, a person with one whie and one black parent, from Jamaica. His was most likely born in 1734, though it could have been as early at 1722. At some point in his life he immigrated to the colonies and settled in New York City, eventually becoming the owner of a tavern. It was rumored that during the Revolutionary War, his tavern was used as a meeting place for Patriots. On December 4, 1783, George Washington delivered his farewell to his officers at Fraunce's Tavern. Apparently Washington and Fraunces had a personal and business relationship. The two dined together at the Old 76 House in Tappan, New York, and Fraunces cooked for Washington at the DeWint House, which is also in Tappan. Fraunces also served a steward to President Washington in New York City, and in Philadelphia from 1791 to 1794. George Washington Parke Custis, Martha's grandson, remarked on Fraunces at a state dinner, "Fraunces in snow-white apron, silk shorts and stockings, and hair in full powder, placed the first dish on the table, the clock being on the stroke of four, 'the labors of Hercules' ceased."
Fraunces is also known to have helped feed the 13,000 American prisoners of war kept around New York City, including those kept on the notorious prison ships.
Fraunces and his wife, Elizabeth Dailey, had seven children, one by the name of Elizabeth, but called Phoebe. During the Revolution, Washington came to stay at a place called Mortier House in New York Cith. He wrote to ask Fraunces to find for him a housekeeper. Fraunces sent his daughter Phoebe. It is possible that he sent her because he had heard a rumor that an attempt was to be made on Washington's life, or it may be that Phoebe discovered this plot while working at Mortier House. Either way, one of Washington's body guards, Thomas Hickey, was executed for attempting to poison the general. Phoebe and her father are credited with discovering the plot, and Fraunces is credited with removing the poisoned peas intended for Washington's dinner. Phoebe was ten years old at the time of Hickey's execution in June of 1776.
Jordan Freeman and Lambert Latham
In 1781, at the Battle of Groton Heights near New London, Connecticut, 185 Patriots, black and white, tried to hold off the 1,700 British led by that turncoat, Benedict Arnold. So heavily outnumbered, the Americans had no chance for victory, but refused to just surrender. They retreated to nearby Fort Griswold. The British stormed the fort. The Patriots ran out of ammunition and began fighting with bayonets, the butts of their muskets, and pikes. During this last stand, Jordan Freeman speared Major Montgomery who was leading the bayonet charge on the fort. About the same time, Lambert Latham picked up the American flag which had been shot off of its poll, and held it above his head.
Finally, the British were able to capture the fort. A British captain asked who was in charge of the fort. Colonel William Ledyard answered, "I did once. You do now." As he stepped forward he offered his sword to the British officer, a sign of surrender. The officer took Ledyard's sword and thrust it into his body to the hilt. Lambert . . . retaliated upon the [British] officer by thrusting his bayonet through his body. Lambert, in return, received from the enemy thirty-three bayonet wounds, and thus fell, nobly avenging the death of his commander.
The British response to the death of their captain and other officers was to slaughter every man, including Freeman. A plaque at the fort honors these men for their bravery.
Freeman had been the slave of Ledyard, but had been freed. Freeman stayed living near his former master, married, and enlisted when the fighting began, serving side-by-side with his former master.
Obamacare’s Latest Victim Is Religious Freedom
Obamacare’s Latest Victim Is Religious Freedom
Mike Brownfield
February 2, 2012 at 9:35 am
It has not even been two years since Obamacare was enacted, and already the President’s health care law has taken another victim — the religious freedoms Americans hold dear, as reflected by the First Amendment.
The Obama Administration recently reaffirmed a rule under Obamacare that requires many religious employers to provide health care coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and related education and counseling. On the grounds that certain FDA-approved contraceptive methods can sometimes “cause the demise of embryos both after and before uterine implantation,” many groups also believe that the rule forces them to cover abortion.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling the contraception mandate an “unprecedented” attack on religious freedom. And in statement after statement issued in diocese after diocese, many bishops are publicly declaring that they “cannot” and “will not” comply with “this unjust law.” As Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon explained, “Unless this rule is overturned, Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences or to drop health care coverage for our employees.”
It’s not just Catholics affected by the rule, however. Leaders from other faith traditions have expressed their concern, and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has already filed a lawsuit on behalf of an interdenominational Christian college that objects to providing abortion and related education and counseling in its health care insurance. “The mandate is un-American, unprecedented, and flagrantly unconstitutional,” says an attorney for the college.
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/02/02/morning-bell-obamacares-latest-victim-is-religious-freedom/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell
Mike Brownfield
February 2, 2012 at 9:35 am
It has not even been two years since Obamacare was enacted, and already the President’s health care law has taken another victim — the religious freedoms Americans hold dear, as reflected by the First Amendment.
The Obama Administration recently reaffirmed a rule under Obamacare that requires many religious employers to provide health care coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and related education and counseling. On the grounds that certain FDA-approved contraceptive methods can sometimes “cause the demise of embryos both after and before uterine implantation,” many groups also believe that the rule forces them to cover abortion.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling the contraception mandate an “unprecedented” attack on religious freedom. And in statement after statement issued in diocese after diocese, many bishops are publicly declaring that they “cannot” and “will not” comply with “this unjust law.” As Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon explained, “Unless this rule is overturned, Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences or to drop health care coverage for our employees.”
It’s not just Catholics affected by the rule, however. Leaders from other faith traditions have expressed their concern, and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has already filed a lawsuit on behalf of an interdenominational Christian college that objects to providing abortion and related education and counseling in its health care insurance. “The mandate is un-American, unprecedented, and flagrantly unconstitutional,” says an attorney for the college.
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/02/02/morning-bell-obamacares-latest-victim-is-religious-freedom/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Tea Party Members Meet in Jersey City to Discuss Education Reform
Tea Party Members Meet in Jersey City to Discuss Education Reform
By Chris Neidenberg* Jan 31st, 2012 *
A Jersey City middle school was the backdrop for conservative activists with the New Jersey Tea Party, who visited this month to promote their ideas for improving public education.
Smack in the middle of an urban public school district the state has defined as failing, a panel of seven advocates assembled in the Franklin L. Williams School auditorium Jan. 22 to kick off National School Choice Week. There, they discussed their frustrations with 21st-century public schooling and ways the reforms they seek can be achieved.
Guests came from far and wide, including Colorado and Michigan, and discussed their ideas before a small, sympathetic audience devoid of critics willing to openly challenge their viewpoints. The audience included members of the Jersey City Tea Party Coalition, headed by local resident Douglas Salters.
According to the website School Choice Week.com, the week, which ran from Jan. 22 to 28, commences every January "and provides an unprecedented opportunity... to shine a spotlight on the need for effective education options for all children."
"National School Choice Week believes that parents should be empowered to choose the best educational environments for their children and supports a variety of school choice options - from encouraging increased access to great public schools, to public charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schools, private schools, homeschooling and more," the website reads.
Panel guests were Dan Haggerty, state political activist and a member of the New Jersey School Choice and Education Reform Alliance; Chris Kniesler, former director of the New Jersey School Boards Association's office of government relations, where he evaluated numerous school choice initiatives; Richard LaRossa, former Republican New Jersey state senator and author of the state's original charter school law and CEO of Solutions New Jersey, a fiscal conservative think tank; and Rosa Leonetti, a right-leaning New York City public school teacher who is New Jersey coordinator for Smart Girl Politics, a national nonprofit organization of conservative women.
Also on the panel were Phillip Kilgore, director of the Charter School Initiative at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich.; William Moloney, former Colorado education commissioner who prior to that spent 30 years as a teacher and administrator in five other states; and Terrence O. Moore, instructor at Hillsdale College who served a seven-year stint as principal of Ridgeview Classical Schools, a K-12 charter academy in Ft. Collins, Colo.
2011 Tea Party state assembly candidate Roseann Salinitri hosted the forum, which lasted two and a half hours and was moderated by Bob Bowdon, executive director of Smart Media TV. The forum was followed by a brief question-and-answer session and meet-and-greet with panel members.
After the meeting, Salters told JCI he was disappointed not to see Jersey City school board members or others who might not share the Tea Party movement's views on school reform in attendance.
"You had people from Michigan and Colorado flying here to take part but no one from the Jersey City school board?" Salters asked. "You'd think one of the newer elected members, who claim they're interested in reform, would be willing to at least hear a different point of view. It's shameful."
Bowdon created the documentary The Cartel, which he describes as an expose highlighting problems and abuses that have contributed to the steady and steep decline of America's public education system through the years. During the forum, he showed a tape of his interview with a former Atlanta charter school administrator, whose building the Georgia Supreme Court shut down after ruling the school was illegal under state law.
Allegations he raised included his beliefs that public school teachers' unions wield too much power and influence in many states; the quality of teacher preparation programs in colleges nationwide is declining; and activist appellate state courts are legislating from the bench under the misguided premise that spending more money will solve the problems with public education. He also discussed what he described as the false notion - promoted by public school teachers' unions - that small class sizes lead to better academic results; he said their underlying agenda is hiring more teachers, leading to more dues-paying members.
Kniesler said the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) spent about $700,000 from its coffers in support of sympathetic candidates during last year's state legislative elections.
By Chris Neidenberg* Jan 31st, 2012 *
A Jersey City middle school was the backdrop for conservative activists with the New Jersey Tea Party, who visited this month to promote their ideas for improving public education.
Smack in the middle of an urban public school district the state has defined as failing, a panel of seven advocates assembled in the Franklin L. Williams School auditorium Jan. 22 to kick off National School Choice Week. There, they discussed their frustrations with 21st-century public schooling and ways the reforms they seek can be achieved.
Guests came from far and wide, including Colorado and Michigan, and discussed their ideas before a small, sympathetic audience devoid of critics willing to openly challenge their viewpoints. The audience included members of the Jersey City Tea Party Coalition, headed by local resident Douglas Salters.
According to the website School Choice Week.com, the week, which ran from Jan. 22 to 28, commences every January "and provides an unprecedented opportunity... to shine a spotlight on the need for effective education options for all children."
"National School Choice Week believes that parents should be empowered to choose the best educational environments for their children and supports a variety of school choice options - from encouraging increased access to great public schools, to public charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schools, private schools, homeschooling and more," the website reads.
Panel guests were Dan Haggerty, state political activist and a member of the New Jersey School Choice and Education Reform Alliance; Chris Kniesler, former director of the New Jersey School Boards Association's office of government relations, where he evaluated numerous school choice initiatives; Richard LaRossa, former Republican New Jersey state senator and author of the state's original charter school law and CEO of Solutions New Jersey, a fiscal conservative think tank; and Rosa Leonetti, a right-leaning New York City public school teacher who is New Jersey coordinator for Smart Girl Politics, a national nonprofit organization of conservative women.
Also on the panel were Phillip Kilgore, director of the Charter School Initiative at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich.; William Moloney, former Colorado education commissioner who prior to that spent 30 years as a teacher and administrator in five other states; and Terrence O. Moore, instructor at Hillsdale College who served a seven-year stint as principal of Ridgeview Classical Schools, a K-12 charter academy in Ft. Collins, Colo.
2011 Tea Party state assembly candidate Roseann Salinitri hosted the forum, which lasted two and a half hours and was moderated by Bob Bowdon, executive director of Smart Media TV. The forum was followed by a brief question-and-answer session and meet-and-greet with panel members.
After the meeting, Salters told JCI he was disappointed not to see Jersey City school board members or others who might not share the Tea Party movement's views on school reform in attendance.
"You had people from Michigan and Colorado flying here to take part but no one from the Jersey City school board?" Salters asked. "You'd think one of the newer elected members, who claim they're interested in reform, would be willing to at least hear a different point of view. It's shameful."
Bowdon created the documentary The Cartel, which he describes as an expose highlighting problems and abuses that have contributed to the steady and steep decline of America's public education system through the years. During the forum, he showed a tape of his interview with a former Atlanta charter school administrator, whose building the Georgia Supreme Court shut down after ruling the school was illegal under state law.
Allegations he raised included his beliefs that public school teachers' unions wield too much power and influence in many states; the quality of teacher preparation programs in colleges nationwide is declining; and activist appellate state courts are legislating from the bench under the misguided premise that spending more money will solve the problems with public education. He also discussed what he described as the false notion - promoted by public school teachers' unions - that small class sizes lead to better academic results; he said their underlying agenda is hiring more teachers, leading to more dues-paying members.
Kniesler said the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) spent about $700,000 from its coffers in support of sympathetic candidates during last year's state legislative elections.
The Fat Man" Cometh
The Fat Man" Cometh
POETRY SINGS THE BLUES
Celebrating FATS DOMINO's Birthday in Poetry and Song
February 25th @ 1 pm - 4 pm
RIDGEWOOD – Poets, musicians, a Southern-style chef, fans, and anyone else who’s interested or curious, will gather Saturday, February 25, at 1 p.m. at Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church (271 Lincoln Avenue at West End Avenue) for “Poetry Sings the Blues.” The festival will celebrate the life and music of Fats Domino, the legendary rhythm and blues performer who shaped early rock and roll, upon his 84th birthday.
All poets are invited to attend and read their works on the blues and R&B themes, and drop-in musical performers are welcome. A free-will offering will aid ongoing post-Katrina relief in New Orleans, where Domino has been a lifelong resident of the devastated Ninth Ward. The event follows New Jersey poets’ successful tribute to Elvis Presley at the same church a year ago.
The featured poets are James Gwyn of Clifton, first prize winner in the 2008 Allen Ginsberg poetry contest and recipient of five Pushcart prize nominations, and Francesca Maximé of New York City, a TV host and journalist and author of “Rooted,” a forthcoming book of poetry.
Musical tributes will be performed by the Victoria Warne Band and special guest, pianist Joe Sabina. Warne, a songwriter and the lead singer and guitarist with her band, has performed at the JVC Festival, many other New York area venues, and internationally.
Chef Jesse Jones, winner of Bergen County’s Ultimate Chef competition for 2010 and known for his Southern cooking with a French twist, will honor Domino with a demonstration of Voodoo Shrimp.
Antoine ("Fats") Domino Jr., born February 26, 1928, was the major bridge between Southern black rhythm and blues and early 1950s rock and roll. Unlike many rockers, he co-authored almost all his pieces, sung with a distinct Creole inflection, while accompanying himself on piano with a much-imitated rolling style.
Domino’s first nationwide hit, “The Fat Man” (1949), is generally regarded the first rock record to sell more than a million copies. He posted a remarkable 37 singles on the Top 40 charts, including such huge sellers as “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blueberry Hill,” “I’m Walkin’,” “I’m in Love Again,” and “Blue Monday.”
Assembly Democrats look to revitalize job killing Cap and Trade through RGGI CANJ
Assembly Democrats look to revitalize job killing Cap and Trade through RGGI
CANJ
Cap-and-trade reared its head in Trenton this week as Assembly Democrats try to revive the program despite Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to pull New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
The Assembly Environmental Committee voted to release A1998 which appears to be a back door effort to again force New Jersey into the program. Business groups opposed the bill, arguing RGGI hurt the business climate by raising the cost of electricity and it failed to improve air quality.
RGGI was designed to require utilities in participating states to purchase credits for each ton of carbon they emit. The credits are sold through public auctions, and the states use the revenue to pay for programs designed to promote renewable energy and clean-energy technology.
Last spring Christie severed New Jersey’s ties to the program after declaring it a failure. Over the summer he vetoed a bill the Democrat-controlled Legislature passed to require New Jersey to re-enroll. This latest bill is now the third go-round. But with the governor staunchly opposed, it appears futile.
http://www.cianj.org/pages/news/view_news.php?n_id=313
CANJ
Cap-and-trade reared its head in Trenton this week as Assembly Democrats try to revive the program despite Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to pull New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
The Assembly Environmental Committee voted to release A1998 which appears to be a back door effort to again force New Jersey into the program. Business groups opposed the bill, arguing RGGI hurt the business climate by raising the cost of electricity and it failed to improve air quality.
RGGI was designed to require utilities in participating states to purchase credits for each ton of carbon they emit. The credits are sold through public auctions, and the states use the revenue to pay for programs designed to promote renewable energy and clean-energy technology.
Last spring Christie severed New Jersey’s ties to the program after declaring it a failure. Over the summer he vetoed a bill the Democrat-controlled Legislature passed to require New Jersey to re-enroll. This latest bill is now the third go-round. But with the governor staunchly opposed, it appears futile.
http://www.cianj.org/pages/news/view_news.php?n_id=313
Black History Month : Black Founders
Black History Month : Black Founders
In celebration of Black History Month the Ridgewood blog recognizes the contributions of Black Founders and Patriots who fought and contributed to the founding of this Great Nation .
Cyrus Bustill
Cyrus Bustill was born in Burlington in 1732. His father was an English lawyer and his mother a slave. Because the status of the child follows the status of the mother, this meant that Bustill was a slave. He was trained to be a baker by a Thomas Prior, who was a Quaker. At the age of 36, Bustill got his freedom. During the American Revolutiion he helped the army with something it had a great need for, bread. He was commended for this service and received a silver piece for General George Washington.
After the war, Bustill and his wife, who also mixed race - the daughter of an Englishman and a Delaware Indian, moved to Philadelphia. There they and their eight children attended Quaker meetings. Bustill was also an early member of the Free African Society which began in 1787. This is the society established by black Founders Richard Allen and Absalom Jones. When Bustill retired as a baker, he opened a school. He dies in 1806.
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was born in the colony of New Jersey, near Burlington. There seems to be some confusion on his birth date. One source has it as May 24, 1753, while another puts it in 1752. He was light skinned, a farmer, and was raised by the family of John Hutchin. It is possible that he was born a free black.
He served in the second New Jersey regiment under Captain Lowery and and Colonel Israel Shreve. He served in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Yorktown. He made the famous crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776.
George Washington personally signed Cromwell's discharge papers at the end of the war. Washington also designed a medal which was presented to Cromwell. He later applied for a pension as a veteran. He could not read or write, but he was very well liked in the community of Burlington. Local lawyers, judges, and politicians helped him to get the pension of $96 a year. Cromwell purchased a 100 acre farm, fathered 14 children, and moved into Burlington in his later years. He outlived 8 of his children, and died when he was 100 years old. He is buried in the Methodist churchyard in Burlington, where some of his descendants still live.
http://www.earstohear.net/Heritage/BlackFounders.html
In celebration of Black History Month the Ridgewood blog recognizes the contributions of Black Founders and Patriots who fought and contributed to the founding of this Great Nation .
Cyrus Bustill
Cyrus Bustill was born in Burlington in 1732. His father was an English lawyer and his mother a slave. Because the status of the child follows the status of the mother, this meant that Bustill was a slave. He was trained to be a baker by a Thomas Prior, who was a Quaker. At the age of 36, Bustill got his freedom. During the American Revolutiion he helped the army with something it had a great need for, bread. He was commended for this service and received a silver piece for General George Washington.
After the war, Bustill and his wife, who also mixed race - the daughter of an Englishman and a Delaware Indian, moved to Philadelphia. There they and their eight children attended Quaker meetings. Bustill was also an early member of the Free African Society which began in 1787. This is the society established by black Founders Richard Allen and Absalom Jones. When Bustill retired as a baker, he opened a school. He dies in 1806.
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was born in the colony of New Jersey, near Burlington. There seems to be some confusion on his birth date. One source has it as May 24, 1753, while another puts it in 1752. He was light skinned, a farmer, and was raised by the family of John Hutchin. It is possible that he was born a free black.
He served in the second New Jersey regiment under Captain Lowery and and Colonel Israel Shreve. He served in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Yorktown. He made the famous crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776.
George Washington personally signed Cromwell's discharge papers at the end of the war. Washington also designed a medal which was presented to Cromwell. He later applied for a pension as a veteran. He could not read or write, but he was very well liked in the community of Burlington. Local lawyers, judges, and politicians helped him to get the pension of $96 a year. Cromwell purchased a 100 acre farm, fathered 14 children, and moved into Burlington in his later years. He outlived 8 of his children, and died when he was 100 years old. He is buried in the Methodist churchyard in Burlington, where some of his descendants still live.
http://www.earstohear.net/Heritage/BlackFounders.html
Gov. Chris Christie hails new corporate headquarters
Gov. Chris Christie hails new corporate headquarters
Gov. Chris Christie and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno joined Madison Mayor Bob Conley and other local officials Wednesday for a groundbreaking ceremony for Realogy’s new corporate headquarters.
The 270,000 square foot LEED Silver Certified office building at 175 Park Ave. will house real estate franchise brands Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby's International Realty.
“The noise you hear around us — the greatest noise I can hear as governor of New Jersey — is the noise of construction,” Christie said. “The state of New Jersey comeback has begun.” (Townsend, Gannett)
Ridgewood Chamber Spotlight: Village Green restaurant
Ridgewood Chamber Spotlight: Village Green restaurant
Thursday, February 2, 2012
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT
The Ridgewood News
Kevin Portscher, owner and chef of Village Green, said he "always had a dream" of opening his own restaurant. That dream was instilled in him early on.
"Growing up, someone in my family was always in the kitchen cooking," he said. "I developed a passion for food and wanted to please the palates of others."
Portscher began his career as a chef when he was 16. He graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and is a member of the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, one of the nation’s oldest chef associations. Portscher also competes in food shows. He was awarded gold and silver medals at the Salon of Culinary Art and Exhibition in New York.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/138625014_New_owner_at_Village_Green_offers__palate-pleasing__cuisine.html
Thursday, February 2, 2012
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT
The Ridgewood News
Kevin Portscher, owner and chef of Village Green, said he "always had a dream" of opening his own restaurant. That dream was instilled in him early on.
"Growing up, someone in my family was always in the kitchen cooking," he said. "I developed a passion for food and wanted to please the palates of others."
Portscher began his career as a chef when he was 16. He graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and is a member of the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, one of the nation’s oldest chef associations. Portscher also competes in food shows. He was awarded gold and silver medals at the Salon of Culinary Art and Exhibition in New York.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/138625014_New_owner_at_Village_Green_offers__palate-pleasing__cuisine.html
Superbowl Sunday is tomorrow! Pick up your cigars @ Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood | 10 Chestnut Street | Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201-447-2204 | Email: info@tobaccoshop.com
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00AM - 5:30PM and Thursday Night 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Christie in Denville: plans for leading New Jersey to economic prosperity
Christie in Denville: plans
for leading New Jersey to economic prosperity
From
an auditorium packed with roughly 600 people at the Morris County
School of Technology, Gov. Chris Christie discussed Thursday his plans
for leading New Jersey to economic prosperity.
The governor knocked his Democratic predecessors for a “decade of stagnation.”
“We
lost 117,000 jobs in 2010 alone. Seventy billion dollars in wealth left
New Jersey between 2004 and 2010,” he said. “We had the largest budget
deficit by percentage in the country. Taxes were raised 115 times by
Gov. McGreevey, Gov. Codey and Gov. Corzine.” (Townsend, Gannett)
For biotech CEO, N.J. location is a must to lead turnaround
For biotech CEO, N.J. location is a must to lead turnaround
BioNJ honoring exec who says home state is welcoming to industry
By Jared Kaltwasser
A few months after leaving his home state of New Jersey to become CEO of a small Texas biotech firm, Paul Thomas sat down with LifeCell Inc.'s board of directors to have a frank talk.
The company's regenerative medicine technology was everything Thomas had hoped for, but to reach the technology's commercial potential, he would need to reinvent the company and realign its staff.
"I said, 'Look, I can do all that in Texas, or we can put this business in a location where we have the ability to attract the types of folks who can really help us drive that transformation,'" he said.
LifeCell became the first of two companies Thomas would bring to New Jersey, an effort that will be recognized Feb. 2, when BioNJ presents Thomas — now CEO of Warren-based Roka Bioscience Inc. — with the trade group's top honor, the Sol J. Barer Award, at its annual meeting.
BioNJ President Debbie Hart said Thomas isn't alone in seeking out New Jersey for its talent pool.
"It's frankly the reason that we even get a look," she said. "It's the reason that we end up on anyone's list that's looking to relocate, and a lot of times it's one of the top three reasons that the decision is made to come here."
Thomas, who grew up in Ridgewood, had planned to become a research chemist. He studied chemistry in undergraduate and graduate school before changing course and enrolling in an MBA program at Columbia University.
http://www.njbiz.com/article/20120130/NJBIZ01/120129847/For-biotech-CEO-NJ-location-is-a-must-to-lead-turnaround
Exploring America’s Entrepreneurial Edge
Exploring America’s Entrepreneurial Edge
by Free Enterprise
http://www.freeenterprise.com/entrepreneur/exploring-america%E2%80%99s-entrepreneurial-edge
BBC News has launched a new series talking to entrepreneurs around the world. In its first installment, the news outlet spoke to three American entrepreneurs about their successes and challenges, asking the question, “What are the reasons behind America’s continuing entrepreneurial success—and can they be copied?”
Interviews with Smashburger founder Tom Ryan, Lean Startup author Eric Ries, and London-based entrepreneur Julie Meyer, reveal three reasons the U.S. has an entrepreneurial edge over many European nations.
Cultural acceptance of risk: Ries observes that failure is “almost seen as a useful experience” and that one of the key cultural factors in America’s favor is “a willingness to tolerate failure. Add to that European countries’ high personal liability levels for entrepreneurs and it starts to become clear why the U.S. has an advantage.
Financing and tax policy: Access to capital and uncertainty over tax policy are two of the repeated challenges U.S. entrepreneurs cite. Those issues aren’t unique to American soil; in fact, Meyer suggests U.K. policies lag even further behind. She says, “The U.K. government needs to cut taxes for small firms to help spur growth and act as an incentive.”
Smaller government: According to Meyer, European countries have discouraged entrepreneurship by providing too much government assistance, but that may be all about to change. “Governments need to be much smaller, with more focus on individuals,” Meyer says. “And we are now heading in that direction, because European governments suddenly realize they cannot afford to be so large.”
http://www.freeenterprise.com/entrepreneur/exploring-america%E2%80%99s-entrepreneurial-edge
by Free Enterprise
http://www.freeenterprise.com/entrepreneur/exploring-america%E2%80%99s-entrepreneurial-edge
BBC News has launched a new series talking to entrepreneurs around the world. In its first installment, the news outlet spoke to three American entrepreneurs about their successes and challenges, asking the question, “What are the reasons behind America’s continuing entrepreneurial success—and can they be copied?”
Interviews with Smashburger founder Tom Ryan, Lean Startup author Eric Ries, and London-based entrepreneur Julie Meyer, reveal three reasons the U.S. has an entrepreneurial edge over many European nations.
Cultural acceptance of risk: Ries observes that failure is “almost seen as a useful experience” and that one of the key cultural factors in America’s favor is “a willingness to tolerate failure. Add to that European countries’ high personal liability levels for entrepreneurs and it starts to become clear why the U.S. has an advantage.
Financing and tax policy: Access to capital and uncertainty over tax policy are two of the repeated challenges U.S. entrepreneurs cite. Those issues aren’t unique to American soil; in fact, Meyer suggests U.K. policies lag even further behind. She says, “The U.K. government needs to cut taxes for small firms to help spur growth and act as an incentive.”
Smaller government: According to Meyer, European countries have discouraged entrepreneurship by providing too much government assistance, but that may be all about to change. “Governments need to be much smaller, with more focus on individuals,” Meyer says. “And we are now heading in that direction, because European governments suddenly realize they cannot afford to be so large.”
http://www.freeenterprise.com/entrepreneur/exploring-america%E2%80%99s-entrepreneurial-edge
Record 1.2 Million People Fall Out Of Labor Force In One Month, Labor Force Participation Rate Tumbles
Record 1.2 Million People Fall Out Of Labor Force In One Month, Labor Force Participation Rate Tumbles To Fresh 30 Year Low
A month ago, we joked when we said that for Obama to get the unemployment rate to negative by election time, all he has to do is to crush the labor force participation rate to about 55%. Looks like the good folks at the BLS heard us: it appears that the people not in the labor force exploded by an unprecedented record 1.2 million. No, that's not a typo: 1.2 million people dropped out of the labor force in one month! So as the labor force increased from 153.9 million to 154.4 million, the non institutional population increased by 242.3 million meaning, those not in the labor force surged from 86.7 million to 87.9 million. Which means that the civilian labor force tumbled to a fresh 30 year low of 63.7% as the BLS is seriously planning on eliminating nearly half of the available labor pool from the unemployment calculation. As for the quality of jobs, as withholding taxes roll over Year over year, it can only mean that the US is replacing high paying FIRE jobs with low paying construction and manufacturing. So much for the improvement.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/record-12-million-people-fall-out-labor-force-one-month-labor-force-participation-rate-tumbles-
A month ago, we joked when we said that for Obama to get the unemployment rate to negative by election time, all he has to do is to crush the labor force participation rate to about 55%. Looks like the good folks at the BLS heard us: it appears that the people not in the labor force exploded by an unprecedented record 1.2 million. No, that's not a typo: 1.2 million people dropped out of the labor force in one month! So as the labor force increased from 153.9 million to 154.4 million, the non institutional population increased by 242.3 million meaning, those not in the labor force surged from 86.7 million to 87.9 million. Which means that the civilian labor force tumbled to a fresh 30 year low of 63.7% as the BLS is seriously planning on eliminating nearly half of the available labor pool from the unemployment calculation. As for the quality of jobs, as withholding taxes roll over Year over year, it can only mean that the US is replacing high paying FIRE jobs with low paying construction and manufacturing. So much for the improvement.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/record-12-million-people-fall-out-labor-force-one-month-labor-force-participation-rate-tumbles-
Labor Market: shrinkage. shrinkage
You know what i said at 308 eastern? we want a million jobs an hour. that's what we want. what we got looked like a good report. i said let's get the calculator out and i did. so did my sources and big blogs many people read like zero hedge. the labor force participation rate if you look at nonseasonally adjusted, a fresh low going back to april of '83. if you look at seasonally adjusted a fresh low participation rate going back to december of '81. what does that mean in english? shrinkage. shrinkage. 1.2 million people are now not considered unemployed anymore. they just have left the system. we need to concentrate on the internals and eventually we want to watch the fixed income market to see if some of this sets in as people do their ciphering. back to you.
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000071275
Friday, February 03, 2012
After cutting ties with Planned Parenthood, Komen donations up 100 percent
After cutting ties with Planned Parenthood, Komen donations up 100 percent
By Caroline May Published: 4:29 PM 02/02/2012 | Updated: 12:30 AM 02/03/2012
In the wake of this week’s announcement that Susan G. Komen for the Cure will no longer be awarding grants to Planned Parenthood, the breast cancer organization’s donations have gone up 100 percent in the last two days.
On a Thursday conference call Nancy Brinker, the founder and CEO of the Komen Foundation, told reporters that the organization is “singularly focused” on combating breast cancer, and that the politics of the decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood has been distracting from their mission.
Nevertheless, since cutting ties, Brinker announced that Komen’s donations have gone up in the last two days — by 100 percent.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/02/after-cutting-ties-with-planned-parenthood-komen-donations-up-100-percent/#ixzz1lKV28bSB
By Caroline May Published: 4:29 PM 02/02/2012 | Updated: 12:30 AM 02/03/2012
In the wake of this week’s announcement that Susan G. Komen for the Cure will no longer be awarding grants to Planned Parenthood, the breast cancer organization’s donations have gone up 100 percent in the last two days.
On a Thursday conference call Nancy Brinker, the founder and CEO of the Komen Foundation, told reporters that the organization is “singularly focused” on combating breast cancer, and that the politics of the decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood has been distracting from their mission.
Nevertheless, since cutting ties, Brinker announced that Komen’s donations have gone up in the last two days — by 100 percent.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/02/after-cutting-ties-with-planned-parenthood-komen-donations-up-100-percent/#ixzz1lKV28bSB
Assembly committee votes to put charters under local control
Assembly committee votes to put charters under local control
The
Christie administration’s slowdown in approving charter schools in the
suburbs hasn’t slowed the push by Assembly Democrats to tighten controls
on all charters -- possibly imperiling a slew of schools awaiting their
final OK.
The Assembly education committee yesterday moved a bill that would give local voters the right to approve new charters
in their home districts. If passed by both houses, the law would make
New Jersey only the third state to require charter schools to face a
local referendum.
First
proposed last year, the new bill has been toughened for the new
session. Amendments filed with the bill would make those referendums
retroactive for as many as 30 urban and suburban schools awaiting their
final charters. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
Fine Print: Sen. Ruiz’s new tenure bill
Fine Print: Sen. Ruiz’s new tenure bill
Synopsis: The bill (S-1455) is the latest working version of a measure to revise teacher tenure and evaluation in New Jersey.
Primary Sponsor: State Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex)
What it does: The new proposed Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for the Children of New Jersey (TEACHNJ) Act
makes key changes in Ruiz’s original bill filed last year. It tightens
some provisions on how evaluations would be conducted and by whom; adds
requirements for helping all teachers; and more closely aligns other
provisions with changes sought by Gov. Chris Christie. (Mooney, NJ
Spotlight)
NJ checkup: Finding solutions before doctor shortage is critical
NJ checkup: Finding solutions before doctor shortage is critical
New
Jersey’s chronic doctor shortage is expected to worsen as patients get
older and sicker, and federal healthcare reform brings broader coverage
for the uninsured. Over the next decade, the state will have 3,000 fewer
doctors than needed, according to projections cited as the state
legislature begins to tackle the problem.
The
Senate’s health committee has approved a bill, S-173, requiring the
state Commissioner of Health and Senior Services to convene a planning
summit to address the doctor shortage and provide a “blueprint of what
we need to do in New Jersey,” said Sen. Robert Singer (R-30), the
measure’s sponsor. (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)
Ridgewood High School teachers entering building en masse
Ridgewood High School teachers entering building en masse
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Ridgewood News
Throughout the week, a group of Ridgewood High School teachers gathered along East Ridgewood Avenue prior to the start of classes.
Rather than heading directly indoors, about two dozen faculty members congregated outdoors when they arrived at work. On Thursday, the group of teachers entered the building en masse moments before 7:40 a.m., the official start of their work day.
A similar situation was reported at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, where many teachers waited in their vehicles before their work day officially began.
The teachers union is currently in contract negotiations with the school district, and working under a previous agreement.
http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138623939_RHS_teachers_entering_building_en_masse.html
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Ridgewood News
Throughout the week, a group of Ridgewood High School teachers gathered along East Ridgewood Avenue prior to the start of classes.
Rather than heading directly indoors, about two dozen faculty members congregated outdoors when they arrived at work. On Thursday, the group of teachers entered the building en masse moments before 7:40 a.m., the official start of their work day.
A similar situation was reported at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, where many teachers waited in their vehicles before their work day officially began.
The teachers union is currently in contract negotiations with the school district, and working under a previous agreement.
http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138623939_RHS_teachers_entering_building_en_masse.html
Three Republicans file to oppose Pascrell or Rothman in 9th District
Three Republicans file to oppose Pascrell or Rothman in 9th District
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Democrats are not the only ones who will duke it out this spring to represent voters in the redrawn 9th Congressional District.
Three Bergen County Republicans applied this week to be the GOP nominee in the district, where Democrats hold the edge in terms of registered voters.
Most of the focus so far in the 9th District, which includes parts of Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties, has been on the high-profile Democratic primary battle between Rep. Steve Rothman of Fair Lawn and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. of Paterson.
But as of the Republican Party filing deadline Wednesday night, Blasé Billack and Bruce L. Wrede, both of Saddle Brook, and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach of Englewood had filed paperwork indicating they will seek the party’s nomination at its county convention on March 14.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Three_Republicans_file_to_oppose_Pascrell_or_Rothman_in_9th_District.html
PSEG Foundation & ANJEE Offer $45,000 in Sustainability Grants
PSEG Foundation & ANJEE Offer $45,000 in Sustainability Grants
Partnership bolsters environmental education
(February 2, 2012 - Newark, NJ) – Do you have a creative idea for a partnership between non-formal environmental education providers and K-5 pre-service or practicing teachers? The PSEG Foundation and the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE) will be awarding a total of $45,000 in competitive grants to help increase the sustainability of New Jersey communities, through the “PSEG-ANJEE Learners in Sustainability (PALS)” grant program.
“We are pleased to be entering the second year of our grant partnership with PSEG,” said ANJEE President Dale Rosselet. “This is an excellent opportunity for educators to work collaboratively to enhance science instruction and environmental literacy in the Garden State.”
The goal of the PALS grant program is to create partnerships between non-formal environmental education providers and K-5 pre-service or practicing teachers. Successful partnerships will provide teachers with the knowledge, skills, and curricular materials to implement high-quality environmental education in their teaching year, using the 2009 NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS) in Science and authentic assessment methods.
Eligible applicants can include public, private and charter elementary schools; colleges and universities with teacher education programs; informal education facilities and institutions, such as museums, zoos, nature centers and parks; after-school and early childhood education programs; and consultants, businesses and corporations.
Examples of projects that could be funded are: teacher institutes sponsored by a nature center or museum; programs introducing pre-service teachers to sustainability and environmental education and high quality science education; or partnerships between non-formal institutions and after-school programs, environmental or science clubs, or other school-affiliated programs. Recipients of the 2011 PALS grants included Tenafly Public Schools, Princeton Regional Schools and the Educational Information & Resource Center in Gloucester County.
Grants of $5,000-$15,000 are available in each of three New Jersey regions. The request for proposals and application form are posted at www.anjee.net/PALS. Deadline for applications is March 15, 2012.
Partnership bolsters environmental education
(February 2, 2012 - Newark, NJ) – Do you have a creative idea for a partnership between non-formal environmental education providers and K-5 pre-service or practicing teachers? The PSEG Foundation and the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE) will be awarding a total of $45,000 in competitive grants to help increase the sustainability of New Jersey communities, through the “PSEG-ANJEE Learners in Sustainability (PALS)” grant program.
“We are pleased to be entering the second year of our grant partnership with PSEG,” said ANJEE President Dale Rosselet. “This is an excellent opportunity for educators to work collaboratively to enhance science instruction and environmental literacy in the Garden State.”
The goal of the PALS grant program is to create partnerships between non-formal environmental education providers and K-5 pre-service or practicing teachers. Successful partnerships will provide teachers with the knowledge, skills, and curricular materials to implement high-quality environmental education in their teaching year, using the 2009 NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS) in Science and authentic assessment methods.
Eligible applicants can include public, private and charter elementary schools; colleges and universities with teacher education programs; informal education facilities and institutions, such as museums, zoos, nature centers and parks; after-school and early childhood education programs; and consultants, businesses and corporations.
Examples of projects that could be funded are: teacher institutes sponsored by a nature center or museum; programs introducing pre-service teachers to sustainability and environmental education and high quality science education; or partnerships between non-formal institutions and after-school programs, environmental or science clubs, or other school-affiliated programs. Recipients of the 2011 PALS grants included Tenafly Public Schools, Princeton Regional Schools and the Educational Information & Resource Center in Gloucester County.
Grants of $5,000-$15,000 are available in each of three New Jersey regions. The request for proposals and application form are posted at www.anjee.net/PALS. Deadline for applications is March 15, 2012.
5 Seasons Bistro in Ridgewood
5 Seasons Bistro in Ridgewood
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
By ELISA UNG
RESTAURANT REVIEWER
Taste of ambition
We're far from the only ones who have hit downtown Ridgewood on this delightfully mild winter Saturday evening. And it's heartening to look into window after window of restaurants animated with lively crowds, their clinking and laughing noises wafting onto the street.
Then we arrived at our destination, 5 Seasons Bistro. Just three other tables were occupied, and at times, an awkward silence hovered over the dining room.
5 Seasons opened just last summer, but its dining room has a history. The last occupant, a restaurant called Bazzini, gained national notoriety from an appearance on FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares" that showed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay trying to keep it from going out of business.
http://www.northjersey.com/food_dining/ung_reviews/138626524_Mother_and_son_bring_eclectic_fare_to_Ridgewood.html
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
By ELISA UNG
RESTAURANT REVIEWER
Taste of ambition
We're far from the only ones who have hit downtown Ridgewood on this delightfully mild winter Saturday evening. And it's heartening to look into window after window of restaurants animated with lively crowds, their clinking and laughing noises wafting onto the street.
Then we arrived at our destination, 5 Seasons Bistro. Just three other tables were occupied, and at times, an awkward silence hovered over the dining room.
5 Seasons opened just last summer, but its dining room has a history. The last occupant, a restaurant called Bazzini, gained national notoriety from an appearance on FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares" that showed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay trying to keep it from going out of business.
http://www.northjersey.com/food_dining/ung_reviews/138626524_Mother_and_son_bring_eclectic_fare_to_Ridgewood.html
Nutritionist with Ridgewood and Passaic offices indicted on fraud and theft charges
Nutritionist with Ridgewood and Passaic offices indicted on fraud and theft charges
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012
BY ERIK SHILLING
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
A New York City nutritionist with offices in Ridgewood and Passaic was indicted Wednesday on charges that she fraudulently billed health insurance companies for nutritional counseling services that never took place, authorities said.
Azadeh Ahmadi, 42, was charged with two counts of healthcare claims fraud and two counts of theft by deception, state Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said in a statement.
http://www.northjersey.com/food_dining/ung_reviews/138626524_Mother_and_son_bring_eclectic_fare_to_Ridgewood.html
The annual charity basketball game a win for Ridgewood's Federatedl HSA
The annual charity basketball game a win for Ridgewood's Federatedl HSA
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
As Ridgewood school administrators and parents squared off against the Harlem Wizards at a Ridgewood High School gymnasium packed with students and their families, not a shred of the controversy that hung over the event in early January was apparent.
The annual charity basketball game, organized by the Federated Home and School Association (HSA), traditionally pits Ridgewood teachers against the comedy basketball act. With the teachers' union currently locked in contract negotiations with school administration, however, the teachers withdrew their participation in the event. The union did, however, donate $500 to the HSA.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/138624959_HSA_finishes_with_the_win.html
Dr. Roy Montesano Ramsey superintendent and former Ridgewood middle school science teacher and administrator to resign
Dr. Roy Montesano Ramsey superintendent and former Ridgewood middle school science teacher and administrator to resign
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012
BY SAMANTHA FELLER
STAFF WRITER
RAMSEY SUBURBAN NEWS
Ramsey - The superintendent of the borough's public school system has announced plans to resign, capping a 32-year career in Bergen County.
Dr. Roy Montesano said in a press release issued Monday, Jan. 23, that his resignation will be effective June 30.
"The salary caps are driving people like myself to look for other opportunities," Montesano, 54, said on Tuesday, Jan. 24. "I was approached by the Hastings-on-Hudson [N.Y.] school district with a job opportunity and I took it."
http://www.northjersey.com/news/138546489_Ramsey_superintendent_submits_his_resignation.html
Educator suggests differentiated instruction more rigor for the high achievers and more nurturing for the kids looking to improve
Educator suggests differentiated instruction more rigor for the high achievers and more nurturing for the kids looking to improve
I teach in town. In my old district, differentiated instruction was a huge push. This means adequately and appropriately challenging students with regard to their ability level.
Since I've been here, it's been a non-existent topic at 'professional development days'. Rather, they have me doing clerical/secretarial work on those days. It's ridiculous.
Oh, by the way, I did a differentiated lesson at my very first observation lesson in ridgewood and it was sort of frowned upon. I was told by my supervisor that parents would 'get upset if they realized that their child was lumped in with the lower achievers.' Give me a break.
I teach in town. In my old district, differentiated instruction was a huge push. This means adequately and appropriately challenging students with regard to their ability level.
Since I've been here, it's been a non-existent topic at 'professional development days'. Rather, they have me doing clerical/secretarial work on those days. It's ridiculous.
Oh, by the way, I did a differentiated lesson at my very first observation lesson in ridgewood and it was sort of frowned upon. I was told by my supervisor that parents would 'get upset if they realized that their child was lumped in with the lower achievers.' Give me a break.
A.P. report: Most of MF Global’s missing funds located
A.P. report: Most of MF Global’s missing funds located
Associated Press is reporting that most of the $1.2 billion reported missing from MF Global, the failed brokerage once run by former N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine, has been located.
According to AP, people briefed on the matter say the missing funds have been traced to customer accounts and banks.
But AP's report says that three people briefed on the investigations into MF Global's collapse said MF Global misused client money to repay other customers, business partners and banks who demanded cash as the firm teetered. (Staff, PolitickerNJ)
Left looks to bully Komen cancer charity over Planned Parenthood grant cuts
Left looks to bully Komen cancer charity over Planned Parenthood grant cuts
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2012, 5:31 PM
BY DAVID CRARY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the renowned breast-cancer charity, faced an escalating backlash Thursday over its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. Some of Komen's local affiliates are openly upset, and at least one top official has quit, reportedly in protest.
Meanwhile, Komen has been deluged with negative emails and Facebook postings, accusing it of knuckling under to pressure from anti-abortion groups, since The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that it was halting grants that Planned Parenthood affiliates used for breast exams and related services. The grants totaled $680,000 last year.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/020212_Komen_cancer_charity_confronts_backlash_over_Planned_Parenthood_grant_cuts.html
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2012, 5:31 PM
BY DAVID CRARY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the renowned breast-cancer charity, faced an escalating backlash Thursday over its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. Some of Komen's local affiliates are openly upset, and at least one top official has quit, reportedly in protest.
Meanwhile, Komen has been deluged with negative emails and Facebook postings, accusing it of knuckling under to pressure from anti-abortion groups, since The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that it was halting grants that Planned Parenthood affiliates used for breast exams and related services. The grants totaled $680,000 last year.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/020212_Komen_cancer_charity_confronts_backlash_over_Planned_Parenthood_grant_cuts.html
Area students to compete in History Bowl and Bee in Ridgewood
Area students to compete in History Bowl and Bee in Ridgewood
Thursday February 2, 2012, 4:28 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The competition doesn't have a lengthy past, but history will be on everyone's minds at Ridgewood High School (RHS) this weekend.
THINKSTOCK
Some of the area's brightest young students will descend upon RHS on Saturday to show off their knowledge and interest in history while vying for one of the top spots in the annual Northern New Jersey History Bee and Bowl.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/138595354_Area_students_to_compete_in_History_Bee_and_Bowl_in_Ridgewood.html
Thursday February 2, 2012, 4:28 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The competition doesn't have a lengthy past, but history will be on everyone's minds at Ridgewood High School (RHS) this weekend.
THINKSTOCK
Some of the area's brightest young students will descend upon RHS on Saturday to show off their knowledge and interest in history while vying for one of the top spots in the annual Northern New Jersey History Bee and Bowl.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/138595354_Area_students_to_compete_in_History_Bee_and_Bowl_in_Ridgewood.html
Port Authority officials are no-shows at hearing called by NJ lawmakers
Port Authority officials are no-shows at hearing called by NJ lawmakers
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
BY SHAWN BOBURG AND JOHN REITMEYER
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD
TRENTON — Port Authority officials were no-shows at a Thursday hearing called by lawmakers who criticized the embattled agency for secrecy and a lack of accountability.
Legislators advanced bills that they said would tighten controls and shed light on the agency. But some acknowledged that making the bills into laws could be a challenge because identical legislation must be approved in both New Jersey and New York to have any effect on the bi-state agency.
The authority’s top executive from New Jersey, former state Sen. Bill Baroni, did not attend the hearing. A Port Authority spokeswoman said the invitation from the committee was not addressed to Baroni, but rather to his New York counterpart who was in Washington D.C. on Thursday.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_officials_no-shows_at_NJ_Assembly_hearing.html
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
BY SHAWN BOBURG AND JOHN REITMEYER
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD
TRENTON — Port Authority officials were no-shows at a Thursday hearing called by lawmakers who criticized the embattled agency for secrecy and a lack of accountability.
Legislators advanced bills that they said would tighten controls and shed light on the agency. But some acknowledged that making the bills into laws could be a challenge because identical legislation must be approved in both New Jersey and New York to have any effect on the bi-state agency.
The authority’s top executive from New Jersey, former state Sen. Bill Baroni, did not attend the hearing. A Port Authority spokeswoman said the invitation from the committee was not addressed to Baroni, but rather to his New York counterpart who was in Washington D.C. on Thursday.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_officials_no-shows_at_NJ_Assembly_hearing.html
Thursday, February 02, 2012
State council says bullying bill is unfair to school districts
State council says bullying bill is unfair to school districts
Thursday February 2, 2012, 3:52 PM
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The anti-bullying law that went into effect for all New Jersey schools at the beginning of the current school year was recently declared unconstitutional unless the state provides funding for the mandates.
Last week's ruling will go into effect in 60 days, after which the select portions, which include mandating the creation of new positions and associated financial stipends and the establishment of bullying prevention programs, will expire if not funded by the state.
http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138592114_State_Council_says_bullying_bill_unfair_to_school_districts.html
Thursday February 2, 2012, 3:52 PM
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The anti-bullying law that went into effect for all New Jersey schools at the beginning of the current school year was recently declared unconstitutional unless the state provides funding for the mandates.
Last week's ruling will go into effect in 60 days, after which the select portions, which include mandating the creation of new positions and associated financial stipends and the establishment of bullying prevention programs, will expire if not funded by the state.
http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138592114_State_Council_says_bullying_bill_unfair_to_school_districts.html
State Police on the hunt Superbowl Sunday
State Police on the hunt Superbowl Sunday
Thursday February 2, 2012, 1:09 PM
BY KAREN ROUSE
STAFF WRITER
The Record
HACKENSACK – The state’s top law enforcement officials stood with former New York Giants Stephen Baker and a Hackensack hospital trauma surgeon to send a message to drivers: if you drink even one alcoholic beverage, don’t drive.
“We need to have an adult conversation here about this,” State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes told members of the media during a press conference at the Hackensack University Medical Center. “We know that we’re not going to stop people from drinking. But it’s our hope that we can stop people from drinking and driving.”
But for those who don’t heed the message, Fuentes announced there will be 100 additional patrols on the state highways prepared to arrest intoxicated drivers.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/One_drink_too_many_to_drive_on_Super_Bowl_Sunday_authorities_say.html
Thursday February 2, 2012, 1:09 PM
BY KAREN ROUSE
STAFF WRITER
The Record
HACKENSACK – The state’s top law enforcement officials stood with former New York Giants Stephen Baker and a Hackensack hospital trauma surgeon to send a message to drivers: if you drink even one alcoholic beverage, don’t drive.
“We need to have an adult conversation here about this,” State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes told members of the media during a press conference at the Hackensack University Medical Center. “We know that we’re not going to stop people from drinking. But it’s our hope that we can stop people from drinking and driving.”
But for those who don’t heed the message, Fuentes announced there will be 100 additional patrols on the state highways prepared to arrest intoxicated drivers.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/One_drink_too_many_to_drive_on_Super_Bowl_Sunday_authorities_say.html
Readers question Audrey Meyers New Appointment
Readers question Audrey Meyers New Appointment
The thing that springs to mind, for me, is whether this appointment will be used in part to bring influence to bear in her strident mission to limit competition -- evidenced by Valley's ongoing legal fight against the re-opening of the Pascack Valley Hospital under the Hackensack's management, and her fierce stand about excess health care capacity in the state. For example, if excess capacity is such an issue, maybe Valley's recent attempt to double in size in a residential neighborhood while converting to all single bed rooms, could have been moderated by choosing to design it for a few less rooms while converting to all singles. That might be a good example of leadership -- just a thought.
I just hope this influential position isn't used to affect the landscape so as to hinder the historically smaller facilities in the service areas of the larger hospitals, or in our area in particular.... I understand the challenges of excess capacity, supply and demand, and so forth, but I hope the position will be used to support fair competition, not to shape or meld it.
The thing that springs to mind, for me, is whether this appointment will be used in part to bring influence to bear in her strident mission to limit competition -- evidenced by Valley's ongoing legal fight against the re-opening of the Pascack Valley Hospital under the Hackensack's management, and her fierce stand about excess health care capacity in the state. For example, if excess capacity is such an issue, maybe Valley's recent attempt to double in size in a residential neighborhood while converting to all single bed rooms, could have been moderated by choosing to design it for a few less rooms while converting to all singles. That might be a good example of leadership -- just a thought.
I just hope this influential position isn't used to affect the landscape so as to hinder the historically smaller facilities in the service areas of the larger hospitals, or in our area in particular.... I understand the challenges of excess capacity, supply and demand, and so forth, but I hope the position will be used to support fair competition, not to shape or meld it.
By the numbers: New Jersey’s renewable energy program
By the numbers: New Jersey’s renewable energy program
The
state has aggressively pursued cleaner sources of electricity over the
past decade. It has scored some notable successes, including vaulting
New Jersey to second behind only California in the number of solar
installations. It also has cost utility customers more than $385 million
in incentives. Here’s a breakdown from the New Jersey Office of Clean
Energy as of the end of last year. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
Cap on mandatory overtime, the right rx for nursing care
Cap on mandatory overtime, the right rx for nursing care
Hospital nurses -- and their patients -- are benefitting from laws capping mandatory overtime, according to a new report that found laws in 16 states, including New Jersey, effective.
"Nurses routinely work long shifts, often as long as 12 hours straight. These laws were intended to prevent hospitals from piling mandatory overtime on top of such shifts," said Carol Brewer professor at the School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, and one of the study's authors. (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)
Drivers: Forgotten documents may cost less
Drivers: Forgotten documents may cost less
A bill released by a state Senate committee Monday would take some of the financial sting out of being stopped by the police if you forget your driver’s license or vehicle registration.
A bill proposed by state Senate Christopher “Kip” Bateman, R-Somerset, would drop the maximum fine for forgetting those documents from $150 to $100, if all the documents are valid at the time of the police stop and if the officer can verify they are current by using a computer database at the scene. The Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously Monday to release the bill for a vote by the Legislature. (Higgs, Gannett)
House Fire, 722 Newcomb Road
House Fire, 722 Newcomb Road
Thursday, February 2, 10:40 AM
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood FD, PD, and EMS units responded to a reported house fire at 722 Newcomb Road shortly after 10:40 AM this morning. An elderly resident of the home was safely evacuated prior to the arrival of first responding units. Members of HoHoKus Fire Department also responded to the scene.
State test scores reveal some gains, widening achievement gap
State test scores reveal some gains, widening achievement gap
The annual release of New Jersey school test scores can be maddening in its mixed messages.
On the one hand, the 2010-2011 scores
released yesterday rose slightly or at least held steady overall in a
majority of grades, a good thing for what have been tough times. In
math, there were some notable gains for any given year.
On
the other, state officials are quick to point out that the gaps in
achievement between rich and poor, white and minority, are wide and in
some instances widening alarmingly.
Those
results are unsurprising, insofar as they reflect nationwide trends.
But the findings have taken on added weight under Gov. Chris Christie
and his education reform agenda, much of it aimed at districts where the
achievement is lowest. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
How safe is the operating room? NJ website has the answer
How safe is the operating room? NJ website has the answer
The state Department of Health on Wednesday launched a website
that allows the public to examine inspection reports for 260 ambulatory
surgery centers. The agency said the goal is to eventually provide the
public with online access to all safety reports of healthcare
facilities, including hospitals.
The
announcement by Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd drew praise from
consumer watchdogs and from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). It comes
as legislation is being crafted to bring all surgical facilities under
uniform licensing and inspection by the health department. (Fitzgerald,
NJ Spotlight)
Obama Refinance Plan is Wrong Approach to Fixing Nation’s Housing Woes
Obama Refinance Plan is Wrong Approach to Fixing Nation’s Housing Woes
Feb 1, 2012 Issues: Financial Services
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, issued the following statement today after the Obama administration released the details of a massive, government-backed mortgage refinance program:
“The president’s proposal represents the latest salvo of the federal government’s unprecedented expansion into our nation’s housing market. Rather than offer a proposal that would actually bring relief to struggling homeowners and the faltering U.S. economy, President Obama is doubling down on the same failed policies that have already proven hopelessly ineffective at stemming the tide of foreclosure. From the failed Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) to the ineffective Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), we already know that government intervention will not fix the systemic problem plaguing the housing market.
“The president continues to take an entirely wrong approach to addressing our nation’s housing woes. Rather than increase the government’s stranglehold on our nation’s housing finance system, we need to dial it back so that private market participants can step in to do their job. The pursuit of a massive, government-backed refinance program to bail out underwater borrowers will force the American taxpayers to take on substantial amounts of additional risk that will no doubt translate to future losses. With the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) already on a collision course with bankruptcy, it is unconscionable for the president to even consider a proposal that would make a disastrous situation worse.
"Throughout the last year, I have worked to reform the housing finance system so that the federal government can get out of the way and the private market can step in. Most recently, I introduced the Private Mortgage Market Investment Act, which would reform the secondary mortgage market to ensure robust private investment in the U.S. mortgage market without a government guarantee. I encourage the president to take a look at my proposal if he wants to find a solution that will actually fix the problem. Until the president gives up his crusade to increase the government’s interference in the housing market, home foreclosures will continue to rise, our economy will continue to falter and every American’s share of the national debt will continue to grow.”
Feb 1, 2012 Issues: Financial Services
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, issued the following statement today after the Obama administration released the details of a massive, government-backed mortgage refinance program:
“The president’s proposal represents the latest salvo of the federal government’s unprecedented expansion into our nation’s housing market. Rather than offer a proposal that would actually bring relief to struggling homeowners and the faltering U.S. economy, President Obama is doubling down on the same failed policies that have already proven hopelessly ineffective at stemming the tide of foreclosure. From the failed Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) to the ineffective Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), we already know that government intervention will not fix the systemic problem plaguing the housing market.
“The president continues to take an entirely wrong approach to addressing our nation’s housing woes. Rather than increase the government’s stranglehold on our nation’s housing finance system, we need to dial it back so that private market participants can step in to do their job. The pursuit of a massive, government-backed refinance program to bail out underwater borrowers will force the American taxpayers to take on substantial amounts of additional risk that will no doubt translate to future losses. With the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) already on a collision course with bankruptcy, it is unconscionable for the president to even consider a proposal that would make a disastrous situation worse.
"Throughout the last year, I have worked to reform the housing finance system so that the federal government can get out of the way and the private market can step in. Most recently, I introduced the Private Mortgage Market Investment Act, which would reform the secondary mortgage market to ensure robust private investment in the U.S. mortgage market without a government guarantee. I encourage the president to take a look at my proposal if he wants to find a solution that will actually fix the problem. Until the president gives up his crusade to increase the government’s interference in the housing market, home foreclosures will continue to rise, our economy will continue to falter and every American’s share of the national debt will continue to grow.”
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