the Ridgewood Fire Department

Since its inception in 1897, the Ridgewood Fire Dept. has built five fire stations. Ridgewood's first station, Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, was built on Hudson Street and served theVillage between 1897 and 1910.

During a period of rapid residential development in the 1890's, residents on the east side of the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook pressed for additional firefighting services. They formed the Eagle Hose Co. No. 1 in January, 1900, and laid the cornerstone for the Village's second fire station at 19 Circle Avenue on September 21, 1902. This building remained in use until it was demolished in 1940.

The third facility and second Hudson Street Station was built as a municipal complex, housing both the fire and police departments and the municipal and district court. The building was completed in 1911 and remained in service as Fire Headquarters until July 30, 1993. It was razed three months later.

In response to residents' concerns after a serious fire in the mid 1940's and to better serve the west side of town, Engine Company No. 31 was established in 1947. Located at 311 West Glen Avenue, the structure is a renovated barn which houses an apparatus room, offices, and living quarters for firefighters. This fire station has served the Village for half its firefighting history.

The Village's fifth fire station and current department headquarters is located at 201 E.
Ridgewood Fire Station.

Glen Avenue. This facility has been operational since June 1, 1992 and serves as quarters for the officers and men of Engine Company No. 35, Ladder Company No. 36, and Rescue Company No. 42. The building also houses the administrative offices, the Fire Prevention Bureau, and Engine Company No. 37, which is comprised of volunteers.

Just a reminder the installation and proper maintenance of smoke alarms are important factors in saving lives. An inspection to assure that smoke alarms are present and in proper working condition is required prior to the sale of all homes in Ridgewood. Further information may be obtained by calling the Bureau at 444-7898.

http://www.ridgewoodnj.net/subdept_detail.cfm?sub_dept_id=112&dept_id=8

Yard Waste Reminder

***PUT YARD WASTE OUT APRIL 6 FOR SPECIAL PICK UP THIS WEEK***

Prior to the commencement of scheduled pickups, there will be a Village-Wide Yard waste pickup between April 6th to the 9th Monday thru Thursday only. Place containerized yard waste and brush at curbside Sunday Night. Any questions please call 201/670-5585.

NEW JERSEY Tea Party Tax Revolts

New Jersey

The following is a list of CONFIRMED Tea Party Tax Revolts planned within the state of New Jersey. Please note that we ONLY list events happening on April 15th.

————-
City: Belmar
When: April 15, Noon - 3:00pm
Where: 16th Avenue boardwalk
Contact: EMAIL
Other Info:
Facebook Group:
————-
City: Flemington
When: April 15, Noon - 2:00pm
Where: The northwest corner of Main Street and Court Street
Contact: EMAIL
Other Info: http://flemingtonteaparty.blogspot.com/
Facebook Group:
————-
City: Morristown
When: April 15, Noon
Where: On The Green at the center of Morristown
Contact: EMAIL
Other Info: Yahoo Group
Facebook Group: CLICK HERE

————-
City: Newark
When: April 15, 12:00 pm
Where: Gateway Center One - 782 McCarter Highway, Newark Offices of Senator Lautenberg and Menendez conveniently located in the same building.
Contact: EMAIL
Other Info:Parking: 66 Edison Place, Newark
Google Map: Click Here
Facebook Group: CLICK HERE
————-
City: Piscataway
When: April 15, 5:00pm
Where: Johnson Park (River Road, Piscataway Township)
Contact: EMAIL
Other Info:http://www.americansforprosperity.org/032409-new-jersey-tax-day-tea-party
Facebook Group:
————-
City: Trenton
When: April 15, 11:30am - 4:00pm
Where: New Jersey State House, 125 W State St
Contact: EMAIL
Other Info:
Facebook Group: CLICK HERE
————-
E-mail: t@thomassnow.com
Phone: 973-406-4688
Web Site: http://tomsnow.serveblog.net
Face Book: CLICK HERE
When: April 15th, 1-4PM
Where: 722 E Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360
————-

Have an event planned for the state of New Jersey? Email and let us know!

http://taxdayteaparty.com/teaparty/new-jersey/

Also, be sure you join our Facebook group.

Sexting 1-2-3

FOXSexpert: Sexting 1-2-3: The Seven Rules of Text Messaging

Monday , April 06, 2009

By Yvonne K. Fulbright

Think “sexting” is only about sending nude pictures via cell phone? Think again. It can be so much more.

Sexting is also the explicit sexual dialogue people have via text, which is meant to sexually excite one another.

Referred more generally as “flirtexting,” two people sending text messages can lead to a hot date, a sexual partner, and/or sexual relationship. It can add more fuel to fires already ablaze.

So what is it about this form of communication that is quickly making it the first step in hooking up for old and new lovers alike?

“Text me” has become the latest of mating calls. This digital, wireless communication is enabling potential partners to make first impressions like never before. It’s helping couples rekindle the passion. It’s bowling over flirts who are literallyl looking to charm the pants off one another.

According to Debra Goldstein and Olivia Baniuszewicz, authors of “Flirtexting,” text messaging is the most widely used mobile data service on the planet. In 2007, 363 billion text messages (TMs) were sent in the United States alone. These master flirtexters maintain that your short message service (SMS) is ideal because:

— Messages are short, sweet, and to the point;

— The witty banter can reflect just how brilliant (thus attractive) you are;

— You’re totally in control of the conversation, and not subject to awkward phone moments;

— They allow people to explore their sexual feelings and mutual attraction for one another;

— You’re more approachable and can be more open with your feelings in a low-risk way;

— This mode of communication increases your confidence, helping you to overcome shyness;

— For singles, it’s a non-committal; no-strings attached way of saying “I like you;”

— You can flirt with many potential partners at once.

Established and would-be lovers alike are having a blast spicing up their sex lives with naughty texts. Whether shooting off “XOXO” (hugs and kisses), “French” (French kiss), “IWSN” (I want sex now), “<3”>

Man About Town.....

Easter in Ridgewood

Sat, April 11, 2009

Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Location: Van Neste Park

Event Description

Join us for the popular Easter in Ridgewood Celebration! This annual event includes family fun with the Easter Bunny in the park, a trolley ride through town, and much more!

Chamber members are invited to sign-up and be a Trolley stop from 11AM - 2PM. The Ridgewood News will be sponsoring the trolley, which will travel from the east to west side of Ridgewood.

http://www.ridgewoodchamber.com/

Networking in Ridgewood

Special Guest: Rep. Scott Garrett

Tue, April 14, 2009

Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Location: Columbia Bank, 40 S. Broad St, Ridgewood, NJ

Event Description

Rep. Scott Garrett will be speaking to New Jersey business owners about issues that directly affect their communities. As the top Republican on the Subcommittee on Capital Markets for the House Financial Services Committee, and an active member of the House Budget Committee, Garrett is intimately familiar with the economic issues facing many of these business owners. He has been one of the most active proponents of small business in Congress, authoring multiple pieces of legislation aimed at protecting and preserving American jobs. Garrett often says that history has shown 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, and he has worked to make this goal a reality.

This Networking in Ridgewood will be FREE to everyone who attends. Reservations are required. Limited space available. Light refreshments & beverages will be served.

Please RSVP to the Chamber Office by April 10.
Call (201) 445-2600 or email info@ridgewoodchamber.com.

SHRED DAY at EARTH DAY - April 19

Free On-site document destruction, Sunday, April 19th from 12PM to 3PM at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave. Bring up to 6 Banker Boxes of paper, including cancelled checks, computer printouts, copy paper (all colors), envelopes, letter head and stationery. NO binders, plastics, overnight shipping envelopes, photos, carbon paper, non-paper items. Open to all Ridgewood Residents and Businesses.

Ridgewood High School Student Driver Ed Video

A year ago a Ridgewood High School Student made this video.
The intention was for it to air on the Village's public access television station, the closed circuit televisions at the High School and in the Driver Education Classes.

In light of the tragic pedestrian accident last week I think everyone should see it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djH5p6RwVG0


Thanks,
Jeanne Johnson

Mailander Appointed Acting Village Manager

Mailander Appointed Acting Village Manager

Mayor David T. Pfund announced last week the appointment of long time Village Clerk Heather A. Mailander as the Village's Acting Village Manager.

Mailander will serve in that capacity until such time as a new Village Manager is chosen and appointed by Village Council members.

Current Village Manager James Ten Hoeve will retire on or about May 30, 2009.

Pfund also announced that an official search is underway for Ten Hoeve's replacement.

Valet Parking On Chestnut Street Likely To End

During last Wednesday evening's Village Council Work Session, Village Manager Jim Ten Hoeve recommended that Council members authorize the elimination of valet parking service at the municipally owned parking lot on Chestnut Street.

Ten Hoeve's plans call for the lot to be restriped, to facilitate self service parking, and a return to individual metered spaces, or cluster meters that accept either credit or debit cars.

The Village Manager's recommendation is based on receipt of a formal request from the current valet service provider for an increase in compensation payments.

BOE Set To Approve New Administrative Position?

BOE Set To Approve New Administrative Position

From the 4/6/2009 BOE Agenda:


D. HUMAN RESOURCES Dr. Fishbein
i. New Job Description
It is recommended that the Board approve the following new
job description:
●Assistant Business Administrator The Board has received background information.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

ARGHHH! I am SO angry! Ever since this accident, I have been vigilant about constantly scanning for pedestrians. Today, a busy Saturday downtown, at around 3:50pm, I see two young ladies getting ready to cross right in the middle of town, by the clock, on the crosswalk. I stop, the oncoming car did not. RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE POLICE CAR THAT ALWAYS SITS THERE. Did he pull her over???? NOOOOOO. What happened to enforcing the law?!?!?!? After another errand, I continued on in town and was making a right onto Ridgewood Avenue by Hillman Lighting. A mother with her two children was waiting to cross. I was waiting to make my turn until she was across, but NOOOOO, a lovely Ridgewood lady in her monstrous SUV was more concerned about the parking spot that she saw up ahead, so she zoomed on through and didn't let them cross!!! It would be so easy for the police to ticket all of these people, just for a week make that the priority, teach people that the cannot keep doing this!!!

Anti Valley Expansion folks continue to make a better case .

Ridgewood Blog Poll data:

Has any new information come to light to change your mind on the Valley Expansion?

yes i am now for it

12 (9%)

yes I am now against it

30 (22%)

no I am still against it

57 (43%)

no I am still for it

33 (25%)

Former Ridgewood Teacher : It's been interesting to watch these "math wars" debates going on in Ridgewood.

I am a former Ridgewood teacher. Both there and in my current district, I have used Everyday Math.

It's been interesting to watch these "math wars" debates going on in Ridgewood.

All I can say is this: whatever program I have, I always adapt as a teacher. Everyday Math has its good points; but where it is weak is where I supplement. Yes, I still get out old workbook pages and copy them. Yes, I still emphasize the tried and true methods of solving problems.

If a teacher is good, he/she can make their classroom work, whatever the subject, and regardless of the BS in a given district.

Basically, just smile and nod at the Botsfords of the world, and quietly go about your business of making things work in the best way you can.

My classroom is and will remain my domain, and that is best for my student!

More School Districts Run Away from Everyday Math.

More School Districts Run Away from Everyday Math. Is Ridgewood set to make the mistake of running towards it?

Bridgewater-Raritan (Regina's old district finally kicked it out)
Wayne (800 parents said get rid of it!)
Readington (replaced it Sept. 2008; went to Math Expressions)
Westfield (it's gone!)
Robbinsville (Bye-bye)
Pennington (gone)
Long Valley (wants to get rid of it)
Oradell (wants to get rid of it.)
Franklin Lakes (wants to get rid of it)
Princeton (got rid of it after Princeton professors started charter school. Years later EDM debuts again, but for how long?)

Mike Kelly: Too many hospitals spoils the bottom line

Mike Kelly: Too many hospitals spoils the bottom line
Thursday, April 2, 2009

By MIKE KELLY
RECORD COLUMNIST

For just a moment, think what good could come of $2 million.
You could, for example, buy a year's worth of health insurance for almost 200 North Jersey families. You could educate 150 students in local public schools. You could hire 40 cops at $50,000 each.

Now consider how The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood would spend $2 million.
Valley wants to buy the state license to the defunct Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood but never use it. By owning Pascack's license, Valley could block a competitor hospital from opening.

This is no April Fool's joke. It is, sadly, the latest battle in a war between North Jersey hospitals.

At issue is not improving care for sick people. Yes, hospital administrators will surely whip out their rhetorical violins and insist they are deeply worried about curing illnesses, repairing broken bones and giving life to damaged hearts. Indeed, most hospitals in the area offer top-flight care.

But another devil lurks in the shadows of this debate — a persistent worry by local hospitals about losing money.

Which brings us to Valley's $2 million bid for Pascack's old license.
Ever since Pascack Valley Hospital went bankrupt and closed its doors in December 2007, a funny thing happened at the remaining hospitals in Bergen County. They all turned healthy profits.

If you are trying to balance the books at your hospital, it makes sense to keep Pascack closed. Pascack is viewed as competition for the business of sick people. Indeed, a state report suggested that Bergen County had too many hospitals before Pascack closed.

But Hackensack University Medical Center bought Pascack's campus and proposed to open a 128-bed hospital there. To other hospitals — particularly Ridgewood's Valley Hospital and Englewood Hospital — the move by Hackensack was viewed as the equivalent of a new Shell gas station moving into a town that had been ruled comfortably by a Lukoil and a Sunoco.

In other words, Hackensack threatened Valley's and Englewood's profits.
In a free market, this would be just fine. But hospitals are not gas stations. Yet, on the other hand, shouldn't Hackensack be allowed to expand its services? And, if you listen to the pleadings of many officials in the 18 towns once served by Pascack Valley Hospital, shouldn't Pascack be able to reopen if someone puts up the money?
Valley did just that — in a back-handed way. As part of Pascack's still-undecided bankruptcy proceedings, The Valley Hospital bid $2 million for the old Pascack license. Valley made no secret of its intentions: It plans to sit on the license and never use it. All in an attempt to keep many of Pascack's old patients going to Valley.

In the cold calculation of hospital economics, Valley's plan makes sense. If Hackensack is viewed as a competitor, why not find a way to beat it?
But isn't this a pathetic strategy? The notion of hospitals fighting over customers who happen to be sick is not a matter of cold economics. This is about ruptured morals.

But this is also the state of American health care now, a grinding battle over money and marketing while doctors and hospitals struggle to make ends meet and ordinary people struggle under the crushing cost of medical insurance.
Given that state of medical affairs in America, we should not be surprised that this is where we have come: a bid to buy a hospital license merely to kill it.
But where are we going?

Read Mike Kelly's blog at northjersey.com/freshjersey.

Press Release - April 1, 2009 (Special)

On March 27, at 8:38 am, patrol units responded to the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Chestnut Street on a report of a pedestrian struck. Upon arrival, Officers located an injured pedestrian and one vehicle involved. The pedestrian, a resident of Ridgewood, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center by the Ridgewood Ambulance Corp. Due to the severity of the injuries, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, was contacted and responded to the scene for further investigation. The scene was preserved while investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Ridgewood Police Department investigated further.

As a result of the investigation, the driver of the vehicle, Mikhail Petrenko, 39, of Suwanee, Georgia, was charged with the following crime and offenses:
- Assault by Auto, 4th degree crime
- Possession of Marijuana, disorderly persons offense
- Failure to turn in a marked turning course, traffic violation
- Improper passing, traffic violation
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, traffic violation
- Reckless driving, traffic violation
- Possession of drugs in a motor vehicle, traffic violation

Mr. Petrenko was released on his own recognizance, pending an initial April court date in the Ridgewood Municipal Court.

Due to the Assault by Auto charge, the case has been transferred to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for review and disposition.


http://rpd.ridgewoodnj.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19:press-release-april-1-2009&catid=8:article&Itemid=10

Bret Schundler Endorses Christie

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: FORMER JERSEY CITY MAYOR BRET SCHUNDLER ENDORSES CHRISTIE

"I know we need a strong conservative leader who will stand up for middleclass taxpayers, and I believe that Chris Christie will be that kind of leader. Chris will be the tough, fiscal conservative we need to cut income and business taxes, provide property tax relief and get our state's economy back on track." - Former Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler.

16 pedestrians have been struck in Ridgewood since March of 2008

16 pedestrians have been struck in Ridgewood since March of 2008.

That number is far too high for a concerned village like ours and there are groups working hard to change those chilling statistics and make Ridgewood a safe place to bike, ride and travel.

The Village of Ridgewood Citizens' Safety Advisory Committee (CSAC) and the Safe Routes to School Team are sponsoring May's Safety Awareness Month in an effort to raise community awareness and remind everyone that whether you're walking or driving, safety is a two-way street.

Failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks is illegal. Driving while texting or talking on a cell phone is illegal. Jaywalking is illegal. Crossing the street while texting or talking is dangerous.

We all know these rules, but often fail to abide by them. Why?

We cannot blame the laws, the police or bad luck. There is only one place we can look, and that is in the mirror.

For the past five years, members of the CSAC have been aggressively implementing safety campaigns including Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25. Representatives of the committee attend Home and School Association meetings, HILT meetings, and mothers' group meetings to remind everyone of the importance of driving the speed limit.

Street signs, yard signs and bumper stickers are visible throughout the community reminding all of us to do the right thing.

Ridgewood High School students wrote, produced and starred in a public service announcement about the importance of obeying the speed limit. That video is shown to driver education students.

Representatives of the Safe Routes to School Team work tirelessly to teach and remind children about walking and biking safety. During the Walk to School months of May and October, hundreds of children and their parents gather each morning and afternoon, walking to and from school. It is vital that they feel safe doing so.

The Ridgewood Police Department has done a superb job in supporting these initiatives. School Resource Officer Chris McDowell and Traffic Safety Office Mark Butler are in constant contact with the safety chairs from each school and many officers from the department interact personally with the students. Last year they visited every elementary school to conduct bike inspections and participated in a Bike Rodeo. Next month they will do the same thing. Bike inspections will be held at every elementary school on Wed., May 6, 2009 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Grades 3-5 will participate in a Bike Rodeo on Sat., May 16, 2009 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Graydon Pool parking lot.

We all have a responsibility to do the right thing for ourselves, our families and our community. Slow down, look around and be safe !!!

Jeanne Johnson

Fly wonders... More of pass the administrative trash?

Last night, Franklin Lakes School District hired Paul Arilotta as an interim assistant superintendent approving only a 3 month contract.

Timeline: 1. worked as an administrator at Ed. Center
2. Travell's principal for 13 years
3. Filled the interim superintendent shoes for RPS 2006-2007 and wasn't offered the permanent position
4. Went on to become East Hanover Township's superintendent (most superintendents are offered a 3 or 5 year contract,
this is only Paul's 2nd year in that position)
5. East Hanover places Paul on administrative leave
6. Paul becomes assistant superintendent for Franklin Lakes.

Hmm... why would Paul work his way back down the administrative chain?

Valley Hospital bids $2M for Pascack's license

http://www.northjersey.com/news/health/Valley_Hospital_bids_2M_for_Pascacks_license.html

Valley Hospital bids $2M for Pascack's license
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Last updated: Tuesday March 31, 2009, 7:12 AM
BY MARY JO LAYTON
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER

The Valley Hospital has bid $2 million for the license of the former Pascack Valley Hospital as part of a plan to purchase the license and then terminate it so that Pascack can never reopen.

Valley's bid is nearly three times higher than its competitor's, Hackensack University Medical Center.

It's the latest salvo from Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, which are fighting Hackensack's plan to open a hospital at Pascack Valley.

A bankruptcy judge will determine if the sale can proceed.

For $2 million, Valley would buy the license and then kill it. Valley and Englewood have maintained that Bergen County does not need another acute care hospital, an assessment shared by Governor Corzine's blue ribbon panel on health care resources.

"Valley has made the higher and far better offer for the license," attorney Paul R. DeFilippo, who is representing Valley and Englewood hospitals, wrote in documents filed in federal bankruptcy court.

Hackensack and a partner bought Pascack Valley's building, grounds and equipment last year for nearly $49 million. Hackensack wants to open a 128-bed hospital in Westwood. It has already opened an emergency room on the site.

However, the former owners have not agreed to transfer the license to Hackensack.

Pascack Valley's attorney, Jack Zackin, claimed the license may be a valuable asset and sought to determine the value of the license and market for it.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/health/Valley_Hospital_bids_2M_for_Pascacks_license.html