Reader takes issue with ,"center of the community" comment

Actually, I have never considered Graydon to be the "center of our community." My kids liked it for awhile, until it became uncool, and my wife and I seemed to gravitate to backyards of friends or our own small plot more often than not to relax on Saturday afternoon or Sunday. I think it's nice, and it would be a real plus if we could have a decent place to swim if we so choose. But, let's face it, a relative minority of residents could actually consider themselves to be heavy users.

The place where I really felt a sense of community was on that evening in early December when the Village tree was lit and the holiday season began.

Not to pick a scab here, but Arohnson and his comrades on the VC certainly f--ed up that tradition of community. As a result, I don't trust his perceptions on many subjects.

NJ Coalition to Improve State Math Standards is Making Progress

NEW JERSEY COALITION TO IMPROVE
STATE MATH STANDARDS IS MAKING PROGRESS



February 6, 2009-The New Jersey Coalition for World Class Math (http://njworldclassmath.webs.com), an organization of concerned citizens who seek to improve New Jersey’s K-12 math standards, announces its progress report. The Coalition has established a dialogue among research mathematicians, educational advisors, parents, and the New Jersey Department of Education. Their objective is to have new math standards which are on par with those of states ranked higher than ours: California, Massachusetts and Indiana. According to the Coalition, the new math standards must be internationally benchmarked against countries that outperform the U.S. on international math tests, such as Singapore,Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Finland.

“This coalition unites New Jersey citizens who wish to ensure that every child in our state receives a world class math education,” said Amy Flax, a co-founder of the Coalition.

Coalition co-founder Jill Gladstone adds, “In order to achieve this goal, our state math standards need to be written with rigor, focus, coherence, and clarity. As in those states ranked higher than N.J., the process must include research mathematicians and other similar experts outside of New Jersey who have experience writing highly ranked, successful math standards.”

The TIMSS (Trends in Mathematics and Science Study) and the National Math Panel’s March 2008 Final Report underpin the Coalition’s goal. Both studies raise serious concerns about the status of our nation’s K-12 math education. It is critical that the NJ DOE heed the National Math Panel’s findings to ensure that our children will be able to compete in the global economy.

Progress is underway as the NJ DOE has acknowledged some of the Coalition’s recommendations. The most recent draft of the revised math standards (http://www.nj.gov/education/aps/cccs/2009/math/index.html) includes references to the National Math Panel’s key findings and other states and countries which the Coalition proposed as models of success.
The NJDOE asked the Coalition to help distribute the latest draft so that the NJDOE can receive feedback from as many NJ stakeholders and outside mathematicians as possible.

The Coalition is pleased that the NJ DOE is putting forth greater attention to the math standards and its revision process. Input will continue to be sought from the Coalition’s panel of advisors and their feedback will b e provided to the NJ DOE.

For more information contact:

Westfield: Amy Flax 908-233-7898 amyflax@gmail.com
Bridgewater: Jill Gladstone 908-575-9288 JillzGlad@aol.com
Ridgewood: Sarah-Kate Maskin 201-251-9068 sktalks2u@aol.com

Pool 'must' be renovated now' By Councilman Paul Aronsohn

Pool 'must' be renovated now' By Councilman Paul Aronsohn

Graydon must be renovated, and it must be renovated now. From an economic perspective, the case is compelling. Membership is declining, and according to Village Manager Jim Ten Hoeve, it currently costs Village taxpayers over $100,000 per year to maintain.

From a health and safety perspective, the case is compelling: The water is unsafe, due to its lack of cleanliness and its lack of clarity. And from an overall community perspective the case is compelling. The current pool is largely inaccessible to Village residents with mobility limitations-residents who use wheelchairs, who use canes, or who just have trouble walking in sand or getting in and out of water.

Fortunately, the Ridgewood Pool Project- a group of residents that has devoted over two years to studying the issue - has offered us an available way forward. It may not be perfect - nothing ever is - but it provides a means by which to address each of these issues and to restore Graydon to its rightful place as the center of our community.


the Ridgewood blog asks just one small question : Where are we getting the $14 MILLION ?

2009 Village Budget Deficit Reduced to $421K - Parking Meter Rates May Increase

Village Manager James Ten Hoeve reported during Wednesday's Village Council Work Session that a $421K deficit currently exists in the 2009 Village Operating Budget. The deficit had reached almost $600K, but was reduced through budget cuts and controlled spending.

Mr. Ten Hoeve indicated that Village unions have rejected his proposal to forgo their 2009 negotiated salary increases. However, despite this setback, he feels the Village may be able to balance the budget without "furloughing" employees.

Two ideas discussed as possible sources of revenue were: 1) increasing parking meter rates and changing the time period in which metered rates are in effect; and, 2) eliminating medical benefits for part time Village of Ridgewood employees.

The only potential cut in municipal services mentioned during Wednesday evening's meeting was a reduction in, or elimination of, rear yard refuse pick up.

Village Council Not Yet Ready For Swim In $13.9 Million Pool

Village Council members told Ridgewood Pool Project co-chairpersons Melinda Cronk and Jane Morales on Wednesday evening that they were not yet ready to move forward with further planning work for the proposed $13.9 million makeover of Graydon Pool.

Citing the receipt of communications from many taxpayers who opposed a "radical" redesign of Graydon, and their own concerns regarding the suggested method of financing the estimated $13.9 million project, Council members asked Cronk and Morales to continue meeting with residents and bring back more comments and ideas at a future date.

Councilwoman Anne Zusy specifically directed the Pool Project leaders to ensure that any future solicitations for resident input be as unbiased as possible.

The highlight of discussions between Council members, Ms. Cronk, and Ms. Morales came when Ms. Cronk publicly stated that she was "absolutely surprised" that anyone had concerns about the conceptual proposal she'd presented to Council members just one week prior.

Hello Melinda, and welcome back to planet Earth!

Village Manager Forced To Give Up Official Vehicle?

It is being reported that Village Manager Jim TenHoeve was ordered to permanently turn in his official Village vehicle to the police department.

Anyone know what's going on? Did he have another motor vehicle crash?

The Point (1971) Part 1

continued......

lets clear up a few misunderstandings .....

You put “A place for everyone to voice their opinions about local issues in the village" in the blog heading. This should include opinions that are different from your own. You once noted that the blog was favorable to Republican issues, but that should not allow you to censor the postings. You are giving people the false impression that the items that you post were the only items that were submitted – and oddly enough most of them agree with the general view of the moderator.

The internet is a great vehicle for the free flow of information and you are doing your viewers a disservice by not presenting all sides of an issue. You know that I am not talking about vulgar or libelous postings, just differing opinions.

lets clear up a few misunderstandings : first this is a free market oriented blog ,neither the democrats or republicans in this state almost ever get it right ,thus the mess we are in. We support some politicians because we like there stand on issues. To us New Jersey is more like a one party system ,the party of tax and waste .

Second this blog reserves the right to publish what ever it feels like ...period .Sorry to break it to you but what paper or website doesn't ? As i have stated on all to numerous occasions we hold back on police business ,because we don't want to inadvertently interfere , we will publish some stupid comments,because we want you to know what some of your neighbors are thinking ,or they are funny or clever just not the same poster repeating the same comment over and over to every post on this blog for 3 years. We don't publish all the silly its Bush's fault because i got a parking ticket nonsense,you have national TV for that .We try not to publish partisan or even non partisan misinformation ,mischaracterization or just plain lying from people with secret agendas trying to intentionally mislead people. There are not only many blogs and websites for that but much of the mainstream media seems to embrace it.

We are a local blog ,that's why its called "the Ridgewood blog" ,its about the Village of Ridgewood. We generally don't publish "wife or husband cheating stories " . We will publish criticism ,complaints and policy debates about local issues ,get over your self its called DEMOCRACY you don't have to like it its the price you pay living in a free country. Questioning policies is not being negative its called thinking ,try it you might like it.

Please, bring your sence of humor to the table a lot of the comments on here are just busting ,you know who you are and you know who you arn't. The Fly column has over 20 regular contributors and believe it or not I don't always fully embrace everything they say either ,but they took the time to put together a coherent point of view . Don't like it write one yourself and send it in .If you want to get it published on here stick to the point ,and don't blame some distant imaginary adversary ,have something coherent to say and don't lie in such an obvious disingenuous manner . Remember Landscape architects and Ridgewood residents James Rose's motto ,"the problem is you live here" And we as a community are really the only ones who have the power to change it!

Remember Ridgewood has always been a very special place .We always had higher standards and thats why people came to live here . Time to raise the bar ,not lower it.

PJ Blogger

The Master Plan: We Want a Hospital

The Master Plan: We Want a Hospital

February 2, 2009

Access — A Medical Requirement
Filed under: Ordinance — riskaverse @ 6:00 pm
Tags: distance to hospital, Travel time to hospital

http://wewantahospital.com/2009/02/02/access-a-medical-requirement/

Valley Hospital’s proposed expansion application in Ridgewood has rankled more than a few of its area residents with the prospects of increased traffic. The roads around Valley are already dealing with rush hour congestion problems. How will Valley’s increased managed care capacity magnify those problems? How will the general area’s healthcare access be affected?

Valley Hospital is surrounded with a rural road infrastructure. Add a $750 million investment to accommodate Valley’s anticipated growth in managed care demands, and traffic congestion isn’t simply a possibility. The two questions on access become a dozen ‘what-if’ questions should a renewed hospital be denied in Westwood.

Travel time is part and parcel of any medical access definition. Valley Hospital is the closest quality hospital to the closed Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH). Each mile, every potential obstacle, increases the displacement time between a diagnosis and a treatment. That displacement will be decisive in a breath for life.

Various studies evaluating mortality in relation to a hospital’s distance exist but they tend to be seen as inconclusive in the eyes of some critics. Many originate from countries with large rural areas, like Australia or New Zealand. Some suggest 30 miles or 30 minutes as being the limits to timely life saving treatments. Since we don’t have open stretches of roadway, the 30 minutes seems more transferable for consideration.

Still, the variety of complex factors that can affect a study’s criteria only highlight the complicated concerns in respecting the needs for accessibility. For example, is travel impedance and miles primary or should social economic situations in combination with age and disease divided by travel costs and distance decay attitudes be a heavier weight in balancing life and death results?

In general terms, one 2007 study noted, “… data suggest that any changes that increase journey distances to a hospital for all emergency patients, may lead to an increase in mortality for a small number of patients with life-threatening medical emergencies …” This study highlighted that each 10 km (6.2 miles) of distance resulted in an approximate 1% increase in mortality. Valley and Englewood’s vision would reduce timely life saving treatment to a lottery of circumstance. Is 1 death per 100 acceptable odds?

Mortality concerns rise with minimum disagreement when discussing respiratory, diabetes and prenatal related illnesses relative to time of care. Heart attacks generate different views since some believe the level of EMT care can offset the transport time to a hospital. Yet, a 2003 Cornell University (CU) study found that for each five-minute increase in the time to reach a hospital, a heart attack victim’s probability of receiving the appropriate care in time, falls 1.25 percent. In a CU press release Mr. O’Neill, the study’s author, stated, “Our research shows that for people who experience heart attacks, distance from a hospital has a very significant impact on their access to medical facilities and their eventual outcome.” (Estimating Out-of-Hospital Mortality Due to Myocardial Infarction, by Liam O’Neill)

HUMC and Legacy’s proposed 128-bed hospital, HUMC North, is seeking to offer the north corner of Bergen County an access relief valve to essential hospital medical care. The redeveloped hospital would be over 50% smaller in bed capacity then PVH. Collectively, with Valley and Englewood, they would offer northern New Jersey residents comprehensive access to necessary healthcare resources, plus accessible surge capacity in the event of a pandemic crisis.

The American College of Emergency Physicians’ noted in a December 2008 press release “New Jersey policymakers need to take immediate action to address the multitude of issues restricting patients’ access to emergency care,” said Dr. McGill. “Hospital closures and high hospital occupancy rates may be contributing to hospital crowding and boarding of patients in emergency departments, which are a growing problem in the state.”

Medical conditions, travel time, physical effort, age, socio-economic situations, costs, all affect accessibility outcomes. Ultimately a hospital’s distance, in medical terms to the people of its intended care, must define access. Valley and Englewood can declare their proximity is ‘adequate’ — but then their costs of operations doesn’t include the funeral costs of those for whom it wasn’t.

Area residents are reminded to sign the petition to show their support for the return of a hospital. (Please click HERE to sign that petition.) Don’t let HUMC’s competitors decide the Pascack and Northern Valley health resource needs! Show your support, tie a green ribbon around a tree in front of your home. Or call HUMC’s public relation’s department at 201-996-3760 for a ‘People First’ lawn sign.

http://wewantahospital.com/2009/02/02/access-a-medical-requirement/

Incurring Massive Debt is Not a Stimulus Plan

Dear Friends,
As I write to you, Congress is contemplating spending over $800 billion dollars in a bill aimed at reviving the economy. Unfortunately, this massive spending bill will do little to stimulate economic growth, and will simply serve to put future generations of Americans in greater debt. If deficit spending could expand the economy, U.S. financial markets would be booming in the wake of the $1.2 Trillion record deficit that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have racked up since October of 2008.

The total cost of this one piece of legislation is almost as much as the annual discretionary budget for the entire federal government. President Reagan said the best way to understand a trillion dollars is to imagine a crisp, new stack of $1000 bills. If you had a stack 4 inches high, you'd be a millionaire. A trillion-dollar stack of $1000 bills would measure just over 63 miles high.

President Obama has said that his proposed stimulus legislation will create or save three million jobs. This means that this legislation will spend about $275,000 to create each job. The average household income in the U.S. is $50,000 a year. If you do the math, the proposal would cost each and every household $6,700 additional debt, paid for by our children and grandchildren.

This proposed spending package comes at a perilous time in our nation’s history. While the public continues to climb past $10.6 trillion, this is not nearly an accurate picture of the nation’s current and future liabilities. When Congress effectively nationalized Fannie and Freddie, the government assumed the companies’ $5 Trillion in mortgage debt. And of course, sitting on top of all these obligations lays the approximately $50 Trillion in unfunded liabilities of the nation’s entitlement programs.

As an alternative to this “borrowing and spending” plan, I introduced legislation which would provide tax relief to American businesses, entrepreneurs, and families, while refraining from starting a multi-trillion dollar debt-financed spending spree. The Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act would give the country needed short-term stimulus, while also encouraging long-term economic growth. This legislation focuses on growth-oriented, permanent incentives for economic activity across all sectors, and includes provisions such as reducing the corporate income tax rate to 25 percent, repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax for individuals, indexing capital gains for inflation, and a 5 percent across-the-board reduction to individual income tax rates. The stimulus package also includes spending cuts, and extends the current two-year Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryback period to seven years.

History has shown that the most effective way to reinvigorate the economy and spur economic growth is to ensure that job creators face a lower tax and regulatory burden. If Congressional leaders adopt a stimulus package based on these or similar principles, instead of adopting a package of increased spending, then we will hopefully create real economic stimulus for America.

Sincerely,

Scott Garrett
Member of Congress

Network - 1976 - Life is Bullshit

This stimulus is baloney; at least signing the petition will make you feel better.

http://nostimulus.com/

Chris Christie officially kicking-off my campaign for Governor of New Jersey

This week, I am officially kicking-off my campaign for Governor of New Jersey.

As your U.S. Attorney for the past seven years, I never shied away from the tough decisions. During my tenure, we relentlessly prosecuted countless public officials for corruption and corporate executives who cheated their workers. I will use that same hard work and determination to take back New Jersey and once again make our state a place we are proud to call home.

We know our government spends too much, borrows too much, and taxes too much. I will hold our government accountable to the people of New Jersey and bring real change to Trenton. I have the experience and the will to make the tough decisions necessary to put our state on the right track.

I am sending you this email today to personally invite you to join me and my family as we kick-off our campaign for governor. I would be honored if you would join me at one (or more) of the events listed below.

If you have any questions please visit my website at www.christiefornj.com or call my campaign headquarters at 862-579-3181.

Together we will change New Jersey.

Thank you,

Chris Christie


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Announcement Speech
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. EST
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Chase Room
36 Park Place
Newark, New Jersey

Diner Stop in Hamilton
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. EST
Golden Dawn Diner
2090 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road
Hamilton, New Jersey

South Jersey Announcement Remarks
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EST
Haddon Heights Downtown
525 Station Avenue (Formerly Fastow’s 5 & 10 Store)
Haddon Heights, New Jersey

Diner Stop in Westville
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. EST
Gateway Diner
106 Broadway
Westville, NJ

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Announcement of Burlington County Supporters Event
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. EST
Mount Laurel Library
Conference Room
100 Walt Whitman Avenue
Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Announcement of Ocean County Supporters Event
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. EST
Toms River Town Hall
33 Washington Street
Toms River, New Jersey

Announcement of Monmouth County Supporters Event
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. EST
Lincroft Inn
700 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, New Jersey

Announcement of Union County Supporters Event
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. EST
Cranford VFW
479 South Avenue E
Cranford, New Jersey

Announcement Rally with Morris County Supporters
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. EST
Zeris Inn
373 Route 46 East
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

www.ChristieforNJ.com
Paid for by Chris Christie for Governor, Inc Ronald Gravino, Treasurer

Mad as Hell .....30years ago.......

I think that over the years Graydon has been a great resource for Ridgewood and I would like to see it once again regain that status.

I have fond memories of Gaydon growing up, it was the place my grandfather took me to learn to swim before i could even read or write .As a teen it used to be a fun place to hang around in the summer cool off and watch the girls.

So this is what I think and this is what I think should be done.

1) If there really is all this interest, as thy say money talks so lets sell pre-paid memberships 1,2 and 3 years out maybe 5 with volume and time being rewarded with a bit of a discount. This would make long term financing easier and allow us to have a more sensible feel for our budget.
2) I hate to say it but NO FREEBIES to anyone, sorry seniors .Once it starts everyone is always entitled to everything except paying for it.
3) On that note I would agree to a discount for seniors ,a discount for town workers and volunteers and of coarse family discounts.
4) Non Ridgewood resident members should pay more no exemptions, sorry teachers.

These are some of my fears:

1) The Villages inability to budget and forecast as well as manage large projects.
2) Increased traffic on Linwood.
3) Another white elephant.
4) Increase Village expenses, such as traffic control, crime and emergencies services.
5) What about flooding?
6) Graydon is only a few blocks from Valley Hospital and the Village needs to face the fact that a successful upgrade will lead to a significant increase in traffic.

Even though a pool upgrade is long over due it seems to us that a $14 million dollar price tag is a little steep. I would hope that some of the more "Action Park" like elements could be toned down to a more tasteful style better fitting the image of this community. Flooding and traffic concerns must also be addressed. I think that over the years Graydon has been a great resource for Ridgewood and I would like to see it once again regain that status.

PJ Blogger
Editor and Chief
the Ridgewood Blog

Groundhog Day

Village officials lax in ordering enforcement of snow and ice removal ordinance?

The Fly has observed that many sidewalks in her neighborhood are still covered by ice and/or snow dumped during last Wednesday’s storm. Some of these sidewalks are designated as part of primary walking routes to and from nearby elementary and middle schools.

In neighboring Glen Rock, Police Chief Steven Cherry has directed his patrol officers and tour commanders note violations of that municipality’s snow and ice removal ordinance when making their rounds, and to issue written warnings or summonses on the spot.

The Fly wonders why a similar directive hasn’t been issued by newly appointed Ridgewood Police Chief John LiPuma. It would appear that warnings and summonses related to the Village’s snow and ice removal ordinance are issued only if a formal complaint is received. Is that any way to run a police department Chief LiPuma?

Let’s start cracking down on the property owners who make it difficult for children and adults to walk our sidewalks safely.

Thanks Chief.

§ 249-1. Snow and ice removal.

[Amended 7-8-1975 by Ord. No. 1582; 3-10-1987 by Ord. No. 2084; 11-9-1993 by Ord. No. 2435]

A. The owner of any land abutting upon the streets or public highways in the Village, if such land is owner-occupied or vacant, otherwise the tenant or occupant of such land situate in all zones of the Village of Ridgewood as shown on the 1990 Zoning Map, with the exception of the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village, shall remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalks of such streets or highways within 24 hours after the same shall fall or be formed thereon. No snow or ice so removed, however, shall be deposited or placed in the street or highway in such a manner or location so as to impede the flow of traffic. For purposes of this section, such land shall be deemed owner-occupied if occupied by either the owner or owners of record or any agent, servant or employee thereof.

B. Owners, tenants and occupants of any land abutting the streets or highways of the Village situate in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village are subject to the following snow removal regulations. Special regulations are adopted for the business and office zones in order to maintain an attractive and safe environment in the business and professional office zones of the Village by assuring that the snow will be removed from the sidewalks in and around the central business district on a timely basis.

C. Snow is required to be removed in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zone Districts from the sidewalks concurrently with its fall. To assure compliance with this section, more than one clearing may be required to keep the sidewalks as free of snow as is practical. The following specific regulations are hereby adopted. Snowfalls commencing during the evening, that is, after 6:00 p.m., will be cleared by no later than 9:00 a.m. the following morning, Sundays and holidays included. During weekday storms, Monday through Saturday, occurring during business hours, sidewalks shall be cleared to a five-foot minimum width to provide access from the storefront to the curb, between meters, if meters are installed. After 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays, sidewalks will be completely cleared into the street.

D. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a violation of this section occurring in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 zones of the Village. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a second or subsequent violation of this section in all zones of the Village.

[Amended 7-11-1995 by Ord. No. 2533]

Super Bowl Sunday ... a bit of back ground

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl

The Super Bowl was created as part of the merger agreement between the National Football League (NFL) and its competitive rival, the American Football League (AFL). After its inception in 1920, the NFL fended off several rival leagues before the AFL began play in 1960. The intense competitive war for players and fans led to serious merger talks between the two leagues in 1966, culminating in a merger agreement announcement on June 8, 1966. One of the conditions of the AFC-NFC Merger was that the winners of each league's championship game would meet in a contest to determine the "world champion of football". According to NFL Films President Steve Sabol, then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle wanted to call the game "The Big One".[3] During the discussions to iron out the details, AFC founder and Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt had jokingly referred to the proposed inter league championship as the "Super Bowl". Hunt thought of the name after seeing his children playing with a toy called a Super Ball;[4] the small, round ball is now on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The name was consistent with postseason college football games which had long been known as "bowl games." The "bowl" term originated from the Rose Bowl Game, which was in turn named for the bowl-shaped stadium in which it is played. Hunt only meant his suggested name to be a stopgap until a better one could be found. Nevertheless, the name "Super Bowl" became permanent.

After the NFC's Green Bay Packers convincingly won the first two Super Bowls, some team owners feared for the future of the merger. At the time, many doubted the competitiveness of AFL teams compared with NFL counterparts. That perception all changed with the AFL's New York Jets' defeat of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in Miami. One year later, the AFC's Kansas City Chiefs defeated the NFL's Minnesota Vikings 23-7 and won Super Bowl IV in New Orleans, the last World Championship game played between the champions of the two leagues, as the league merger finally took place later that year.

The game is played annually on a Sunday as the final game of the NFL Playoffs. Originally the game took place in early to mid-January following a 14-game regular season and playoffs. Over the years the date of the Super Bowl has progressed from the second Sunday in January, to the third, then the fourth Sunday in January; the game is now played on the first Sunday in February, given the current 17-week (16 games and one bye week) regular season and three rounds of playoffs. This progression of the date of the Super Bowl has been caused by the following: the expansion of the NFL regular season in 1978 from 14 games to 16, the expansion of the pre-Super Bowl playoffs from two rounds to three (also in 1978), the addition of the regular season bye-week in the 1990s, and the decision prior to the 2003 season to start the regular season the week after Labor Day, moving the start of the season to a week later than it had been (in 1997, for example, the regular season started on Sunday, August 31). Former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle is often considered the mastermind of both the merger and the Super Bowl. His leadership guided the two competitors into the merger agreement and cemented the preeminence of the Super Bowl.

The winning team gets the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named for the coach of the Green Bay Packers, who won the first two Super Bowl games and 3 of the 5 preceding NFL championships (1961–62, 1965). Following his death in September 1970, the trophy was named the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and was first awarded as such to the Baltimore Colts at Super Bowl V in Miami. Super Bowl III was the first to be numbered. Super Bowls I and II were not known as such until the game's third year and were named "The AFC-NFC World Championship Game" when they were played.

Game history

See also: List of Super Bowl champions

1966–1967: Packers' early dominance

The Green Bay Packers won the first two Super Bowls, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders. The Packers were led by quarterback Bart Starr, who was named MVP for both games. These two championships, along with the Packers' NFL championships in 1961, 1962, and 1965 have led many people to consider the Packers to be the "Team of the 1960s."[citation needed] Green Bay, Wisconsin is often referred to as "Title Town";[5] by its own residents due to the five championships the Packers won in the 1960s and its twelve championships since the team began playing in 1919.[citation needed]

1968–1979 AFL/AFC dominance

Super Bowl III featured one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history as the New York Jets, behind the guarantee of Joe Namath, defeated the 18-point favorite Baltimore Colts 16–7. Namath, the MVP of the game, and Matt Snell, 121 yards on 30 carries with a touchdown, led the Jets to victory. The win helped solidify the AFL as a legitimate contender with the NFL.

The 1970s were dominated by the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, winning a combined six championships in the decade. Miami won Super Bowls VII and VIII, the former completing the NFL's only perfect season. Pittsburgh won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) behind the coaching of Chuck Noll and play of Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, and Franco Harris—each receiving at least one MVP award—and their "Steel Curtain" defense led by Jack Lambert.

The only NFC franchise to win a Super Bowl during the decade was the Dallas Cowboys winning Super Bowls VI and XII. On the other end of the spectrum were the Minnesota Vikings, who lost Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI.

1980–1996: Two decades of NFC dominance

NFC teams won sixteen of the twenty Super Bowls in the 1980s and 1990s, including thirteen in a row from 1984 to 1996.

The 49ers lead the NFC domination of the 1980s

The most successful franchise of the 1980s was the San Francisco 49ers, who won four Super Bowls in the decade (XVI, XIX, XXIII, and XXIV). The 49ers were led by coach Bill Walsh and quarterback Joe Montana. They were known for using the precision accurate, fast-paced west coast offense. The 1980s also included the 1985 Chicago Bears who finished the season 18–1 (a feat accomplished the prior year by the 49ers), and two championships for the Joe Gibbs-coached Washington Redskins. The Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders were the only AFC franchise to win a Super Bowl in the 1980s, winning Super Bowls XV and XVIII.

The Cowboys dominate the early 1990s

The Dallas Cowboys became the dominant team in the NFL in the early 1990s. After championships by division rivals New York and Washington to start the decade, the Cowboys won three of the next four Super Bowls. The Cowboys were led by Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, the first two of whom won MVP awards. The early 1990s also featured the Buffalo Bills appearing in four consecutive Super Bowls, although they lost all of them. The 49ers became the first team to win five championships with their win in Super Bowl XXIX, with the Cowboys accomplishing that same feat a year later. As both teams began to fizzle late into the decade, another NFC powerhouse, the Green Bay Packers, led by multiple-MVP quarterback Brett Favre, emerged, winning Super Bowl XXXI following the 1996 season.

1997–2000: The AFC rises again

In Super Bowl XXXII, quarterback John Elway led the Denver Broncos to an upset victory over the defending champion Packers, snapping the NFC's 13-game winning streak, and beginning a streak in which the AFC would win eight of the next ten Super Bowls. The Broncos would go on to win Super Bowl XXXIII the next year, over the Atlanta Falcons, in Elway's final game before retiring. After an NFC win by the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, the AFC continued its winning ways, with wins by the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.

2001–2005: The Patriots' Dynasty

The Patriots became the dominant team of the early 2000s, winning the championship in three of the first five years of the decade. In Super Bowl XXXVI Super Bowl MVP quarterback Tom Brady led his team to a 20–17 upset victory over the Rams. The Patriots also went on to win Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX. After championships by AFC rivals Pittsburgh and Indianapolis in Super Bowls XL and XLI, respectively, the Patriots responded in 2007 an undefeated regular season - only the second in modern NFL history and the first with a sixteen game schedule - which included a road win over the defending champion Colts. Despite the regular season performance, the Patriots were upset by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl