Ridgewood Knights Distribute "Shake the Can" Proceeds

Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Distribute “Shake the Can” Proceeds

Ridgewood-NJ-November 8, 2010: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Council #1736 is pleased to announce that the following organizations have received donations generated from the annual “Shake the Can to Help Handicapped Citizens” fundraiser:

- Alfa Development, Inc., Paramus, NJ
- Camp Sunshine, Ridgewood, NJ
- Archdiocese of Newark, Ministry for Persons with Disabilities, Newark, NJ
- Friends to Friends (First Reformed Church), Ridgewood, NJ
- Spectrum for Living, River Vale, NJ
- Putting the Pieces Together, North Arlington, NJ

The Knights are easily recognizable in their yellow vests, working the sidewalks and intersections throughout the village every Spring for this annual event. “This three day event is one of our main fundraisers throughout the year, and we thank everyone in the community for helping out”, said Mike Dougherty, organizer of the annual event.

“Charity is one of the main pillars of our organization”, said Peter Bernardo, Chair of the Ridgewood Knights donations committee. “Performing good works for our community is what we do”, Bernardo said.

CHECK-OUT HUNGER RETURNS FOR 20th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

CHECK-OUT HUNGER RETURNS FOR 20th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

HILLSIDE, N.J. – Check-Out Hunger, an annual front-end awareness and fund raiser for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, will be marking its 20th year milestone this fall. This campaign, which began in New Jersey, is run at supermarket chains across the northeast.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey reports that need for nutritious food is up 30-40 percent at its partner agencies (soup kitchens, pantries, shelters, etc) this year.

In 2009 Check-Out Hunger crossed the $2 Million plateau for the first time. The campaign raised $2,093, 086 for food banks across the state. Since 1992, millions of people have supported the program at food markets and online at www.checkouthungernj.org.Participating food markets include A&P, Food Basics, Foodtown, Kings, Pathmark, Shop Rite, Super Fresh, Wawa, and Wegmans.

This campaign was developed by the Community FoodBank in conjunction with the New Jersey Food Council and supermarket chains with headquarters in New Jersey. Currently the Community FoodBank of New Jersey administers the regional campaign with 14 chains for 32 food banks and affiliates in 9 states and the District of Columbia.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, a member of Feeding America, distributed 35 million pounds of food in the last year to people in need in 18 of New Jersey’s 21 counties. Its staff and volunteers fight hunger and poverty not only through the distribution of food and grocery products, but by education and training, and by creating new programs to meet the needs of low-income people. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey has earned Charity Navigator’s highest honor, a four-star rating.

The 60% of the open recreation space recommended figure originated from a space planner that had a vested interest in profiting from the redesigning of our fields

The 60% of the open recreation space recommended figure originated from a space planner that had a vested interest in profiting from the redesigning of our fields
 The class sizes now have as many students as we had in the 1970s (roughly 400 per class).

The class size declined by roughly 10% in the 90s and the first part of the Zip decade.

Field allocation was more than fine back in the halcyon days of the Nixon Administration. And that included participation from both genders.

What happened...? Why are we "under allocated"...??

We're not.

Village travel sports like soccer, softball, baseball and lacrosse are now contested 11 months a year.

"Ridgewood has approximately 60% of the open recreation space recommended to support a population of it's size"

So the sports dad trot out the 60% figure which originated from a space planner that had a vested interest in profiting from the redesigning of our fields.

Duh....

We should be applauding the BOE for the long term benefit they have provided for Ridgewood, not chastising them.

We should be applauding the BOE for the long term benefit they have provided for Ridgewood, not chastising them.

This whole discussion is foolish and the characterization of installing lights at the brand new turf RHS fields shows utter ignorance of the realities of our village resources.

According to the state, Ridgewood has approximately 60% of the open recreation space recommended to support a population of it's size. As a result, all our fields must be shared by RHS and the village youth sports groups. The village paid for a comprehensive independent study of our resources and a recommended Master Plan to address this shortage in the face of ever-increasing demand from growing youth and RHS sports programs.

When synthetic turf was installed at Maple Park, it transformed an under-utilized and poorly maintained facility into Ridgewood's premeire recreational resource, shared by sports teams and families, alike. The opposition to that effort was significant. Yet, the opposition was proved wrong. The turf at Maple Park has significantly improved the utility of our field resources. But, it was not enough.

In order to provide the necessary resources to support our poulation's needs, the Master Plan Study pointed out that Ridgewood would need to build new fields on land that we did not have. Or, as the final recommendation concluded, the most appropriate alternative was to install synthetic turf at RHS and Stevens. This would effectively add a new field to Ridgewood's inventory and would dramatically reduce wear on our remaining grass fields, while reducing maintenance expense. The recommendations also pointed out that properly designed permanent directional lights would make the most efficient use of these facilities, without the noise and waste light of portable generators.

Although the BOE has been the single biggest user of Maple Park, they did not contribute financially to the project. The current turf and light projects at RHS and Stevens are, as BOE members have pointed out, the BOE's way to realize the recommendations laid out in the Master Plan for the benefit of our entire community.

We should be applauding the BOE for the long term benefit they have provided for Ridgewood, not chastising them.

Russ Forenza : Guess which candidate didn't even bother to put his slogan on the ballot

Russ Forenza : Guess which candidate didn't even bother to put his slogan on the ballot

I decided to pull out the ballot from my blue Ridgewood recycle bin and just take a quick look, so I didn't go off half-cocked. I would not want to be unfair, it's a pretty serious issue. But now I'm really pissed-off.

Here is why: All but one of the candidates had placed on the ballot, within the rectangular voter box, their own catchy quote... Wellingberg: "Fiscally Conservative Community Oriented", Train: "Time to Get Ridgewood on Track", Lembo: "Together We Can Make a Difference".

Guess which candidate didn't even bother to put his slogan on the ballot, just left a blank...you guessed it: Russ Forenza, the candidate who complained, post election, about something "strange".

Ok, I get now.

Valley Hospital : I think the Board of Trustee should really consider some new management and a new approach

Valley Hospital : I think the Board of Trustee should really consider some new management and a new approach
 It took more than just Valley's neighbors to beat Russ Forenza by such an overwhelming margin. This mandate came from both sides of town. Valley really needs to head back to the drawing board.

So the residents from District 12 and 15 who voted in the municipal election are somehow subverting democracy, but manipulation of our village code so a major change to the Master Plan could be decided by a board of unelected appointees - That's okay?

Sounds like some unnamed institution is frustrated that their candidate wasnt installed per plans. Unfortunately for them you have to be a resident to vote for council. Shipping and stuffing seats early with out of town employees so tax paying residents couldnt attend was a useless tactic this time around.

I think its a shame that Valley has been too arrogant to pursue any kind of collaborative effort with its neighbors in pursuing Renewal/Expansion. I think the Board of Trustee should really consider some new management and a new approach, rather than continuing to try to ram this expansion through with backroom deals and subterfuge.

Readers laugh at "NIMBY" claim

Readers laugh at "NIMBY" claim

Wonder how much effort and money Valley spent on getting out their vote to no avail. Here's a tidbit, when your elected officials fail to properly fullfill, protect and represent then they tend to get replaced. Funny how corporate lobbying for an over expansion is ok but the voices of parents of Ridgewood schools on east side arent. 2500 nimbys lol.

Someday soon the West Side will be encroached on and the integrity of zones will be breached despite local opposition. Im pretty confident at this point that our community as a whole will respond in kind regardless of location if it is wrong. Seen it happen in other towns when they realize that the checks and balances are being compromised.

Village Council Elections : I just don't understand the ballot controversy here.

Village Council Elections : I just don't understand the ballot controversy here

The ballot seemed typical with national or state elections on the top, local elections on the bottom and state or local ballot initiatives on the right. I guess it is a little confusing if you either don't vote regularly or don't read the sample ballot that comes in the mail to every legally registered voter in the town - right before the election. That way, there should not be much confusion as we, the voters, can take some time to figure it out before we head blindly into the voter booth.

I didn't even know there was going to be a yes/no constitution amendment question until I received the sample ballot. But, with a little research and reading, I figured out the question and concluded how to vote on that issue. It took about 5 minutes. I just don't understand the controversy here. Informed voters never seem to complain about this kind of stuff. And to complain now seems pretty insulting to our government officials who spend a lot of time making sure our elections are fair and ballots are fair.

Don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight

Don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight

 Daylight saving time ends this Sunday November 7th, don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight. Standard time resumes at 2 a.m. Sunday.Most people find it’s easier to “fall back” and set their clocks back an hour before they go to bed to get an extra hour of sleep.

Ridgewood restaurant Winberie's to close Nov. 21

Ridgewood restaurant Winberie's to close Nov. 21
Friday, November 5, 2010
BY KELLY EBBELS
The Ridgewood News
Staff Writer

http://www.northjersey.com/food_dining/106778948_Ridgewood_restaurant_Winberie_s_to_close_Nov__21.html

After 22 years in business, renowned neighborhood bistro Winberie's Restaurant & Bar will close its doors following Sunday brunch on Nov. 21.

Carl Davies, the general manager of the restaurant, said that business had been going well and that the owners of Winberie's, Ohio-based Select Restaurants, had received an offer from another establishment for the property at 30 Oak St.

full story:
http://www.northjersey.com/food_dining/106778948_Ridgewood_restaurant_Winberie_s_to_close_Nov__21.html

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Bankruptcy of U.S. is ‘Mathematical Certainty,’ Says Former CEO of Nation's 10th Largest Bank

Bankruptcy of U.S. is ‘Mathematical Certainty,’ Says Former CEO of Nation's 10th Largest Bank

Thursday, November 04, 2010
By Terence P. Jeffrey

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/former-bbt-ceo-bankruptcy-us-mathematica

(CNSNews.com) - John Allison, who for two decades served as chairman and CEO of BB&T, the nation's 10th largest bank, told CNSNews.com it is a “mathematical certainty” that the United States government will go bankrupt unless it dramatically changes its fiscal direction.

Allison likened what he sees as the predictable future bankruptcy of the United States to the problems at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, whose insolvency he also said was foreseeable to those who studied their business practices and financial situation.

“I think the first thing we have to realize is where we’re going and to face it objectively,” Allison told CNSNews.com, when asked about the trillion-dollar-plus deficits the federal government has run for three straight years, the more than $13 trillion in federal debt, and the $61.9 trillion long-term shortfall the government faces (according to the analysis of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation) if the government is to pay all the benefits it has promised through entitlement programs.

“If you run the numbers, on all those numbers that you just talked about, which I think are accurate, very accurate, in 20 or 25 years, the United States goes bankrupt,” said Allison. “It’s a mathematical certainty.

“It reminds me very much of that story I told you about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae,” said Allison. “We were running the numbers, and Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae went bankrupt, and we got there. In 20 or 25 years, the United States goes bankrupt.

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/former-bbt-ceo-bankruptcy-us-mathematica

Readers react to Russell Forenza's wild accusations of Voter fraud in the village.

Readers react to Russell Forenza's wild accusations of Voter fraud in the village.

Try not go blind when you realize that he could have been on our new council person. I think he makes it pretty clear what he thinks...the election was stolen.

He has no credenials and consequently no qualificaions. He does not appear to understand what is an "under-vote". He appears to have not reviewed the under-vote of prior elections in Ridgewood. Had he done so, he would not have raised any of this stink. He also made a similar presention to the council on Weds night.

I think his statements may be reflective of how he jumps to baseless, wild speculative conclusions and how he might have represented the citizens on council.

Specific review of the under vote suggests , its about the same as in
prior years.

We dodged a close one and it is now time to move forward.

Stephen Wellinghorst's overwhelming victory revives debate over Valley Hospital

Stephen Wellinghorst's overwhelming victory revives debate over Valley Hospital

Vote revives debate over Ridgewood's Valley Hospital
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Last updated: Thursday November 4, 2010, 1:58 PM
BY MARY JO LAYTON
The Record
STAFF WRITER

http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/bergen_news/106670293_Vote_revives_debate_over_hospital.html

Ridgewood Councilman-elect Stephen Wellinghorst's overwhelming victory Tuesday has revived the debate over The Valley Hospital's proposed expansion, an issue the Village Council is eager to consider, officials said Wednesday.

Wellinghorst and a citizens group that opposes the expansion said the margin of victory indicates many residents are against the $750 million project that would double the size of the 450-bed hospital.

"Two elections in the last six months have indicated the direction the voters of Ridgewood want the town to go in," Wellinghorst said Wednesday.

Wellinghorst, an attorney who has advised planning and zoning boards, is expected to take office in mid-November and replaces Anne Zusy who died of cancer in June.

Council member Paul Aronsohn said he spoke with Mayor Keith D. Killion on Wednesday about scheduling discussions on the proposed ordinance to adopt changes to the master plan, which regulates how the hospital can expand.

"Now that we have a fifth person we can map out a schedule," Aronsohn said. "The mayor was totally on the same page."

A four-year battle has been waged over the hospital's plan to double in size on a 15-acre lot that's bordered by single-family homes and the Benjamin Franklin Middle School. Council members agree that Valley needs to modernize, but a consensus seems to be growing that the hospital needs to scale back the scope of the project.

Wellinghorst, who campaigned on a promise to protect the residential character of Ridgewood, was endorsed by the Concerned Residents of Ridgewood, an organization opposed to Valley's expansion. The group filed suit in August to overturn changes in the master plan that would permit the project.

"The election of Mr. Wellinghorst, and the wide sweeping margin of his win, make a clear statement that residents all across Ridgewood are committed to preserving what is special about our village and conscientiously addressing key issues, including the proposed hospital expansion that has been of major concern in our community in recent years," said Paul Gould, spokesman for Concerned Residents of Ridgewood.

more:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/bergen_news/106670293_Vote_revives_debate_over_hospital.html

COAH : The overhaul of New Jersey’s affordable housing system is going back to the drawing board.

COAH: The overhaul of New Jersey’s affordable housing system is going back to the drawing board.


What comes after COAH?

The overhaul of New Jersey’s affordable housing system is going back to the drawing board.
The proposed law that abolishes the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and creates an entirely new system in its place is undergoing revisions, according to Senator Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) and Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-Union), both of whom recently introduced similar versions of the legislation. McDermott, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/1104/2355/

Christie moves to block school districts from circumventing his cap

Christie moves to block school districts from circumventing his cap

While Gov. Chris Christie has made noise about demanding new salary caps for school superintendents, Englewood is reportedly negotiating a salary for its new superintendent of around $200,000. Somerville hired a new one at $175,000. Both exceed the caps for comparably sized districts. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/1105/0022/

Field lights : Lights installed at Stevens Field in Ridgewood

Lights installed at Stevens Field in Ridgewood
Thursday, November 4, 2010
BY KELLY EBBELS
The Ridgewood News
Staff Writer

http://www.northjersey.com/news/106721683_Lights_installed_at_Stevens_Field_in_Ridgewood.html

Despite concerns from neighbors of Ridgewood High School (RHS) about their quality of life, the school district moved ahead this week to complete the installation of remaining flood lights above the school's two athletics fields.

Seven remaining field lights between 70 and 80 feet tall were installed at Stevens Field earlier this week, despite a request from residents at last Wednesday's Village Council meeting that a hearing be held on the installation and a stop-work order be issued. Four other light poles at Stadium Field were installed last month.

Superintendent Daniel Fishbein defended the installation, saying in an e-mail that the district has "a contract for installation in place and we are moving forward."

Residents of the area were distressed by the news, saying that they had repeatedly reached out to the BOE to voice concerns about possible property devaluation due to the lights and increased traffic and parking in the area.

"I am very disappointed that the Board has proceeded to install these stadium-style lights for non-school teams without engaging in any discussion with its neighbors despite numerous attempts on our part to start the dialogue," said Jim Morgan, a resident of Beverly Road and a founder of the Ridgewood High School Neighborhood Association (RHSNA), in an e-mail.

Cynthia Fitzgerald, a resident of North Irving Street, said that the decision to move ahead reflected an unwillingness of the BOE to engage with residents.

"It's just in keeping with their attitude that they can do whatever they want to regarding the neighborhood," she said. "As a lifelong resident of Ridgewood, I couldn't imagine somebody would do something like this. & It looks like Giants Stadium right now."

http://www.northjersey.com/news/106721683_Lights_installed_at_Stevens_Field_in_Ridgewood.html

If Valley is a 'NIMBY' issue, then the $48 million bond referendum was an 'IMBY' issue.

If Valley is a 'NIMBY' issue, then the $48 million bond referendum was an 'IMBY' issue.

If Valley is a 'NIMBY' issue, then the $48 million bond referendum was an 'IMBY' issue. After all, it was the motivated Willard districts that put the bond over by a handful of votes?

I could go either way on Valley, but I want it done all above board - no backroom deals, no public lockout of residents at meetings.

I still voted.

I was against the bond ref because of its scope and size. I was upset with the elitist attitude of the BOE that we could keep floating what equates to home improvement loans to make repairs rather than maintain the buildings all along.

There is no 'imbalance' that you speak of because the voters are the great equalizer. You don't like the way a BOE or VC member acts, speak up, attend meeting and VOTE. Bring a neighbor or two. This blog often mentions 'HSA mommies'; if they are the most active it could be because of the convenience of the voting station being at the schools.

Another thing to be considered, writer: the municipal election was on the same day as the county, state and federal - making it even more worth the voter's while. All this at stake and some didn't come out on a beautiful day (no rain or excessive chill) with the polls open a full 14 hours.

It's our right and civic duty to vote. Maybe they should start serving Starbucks?

Wellinghorst Wins in a Landslide !

Wellinghorst Wins in a Landslide !
What controversy?

If you add togther all the votes cast for Russ, Oliver and Lou and compare that total to Wellinghorst's votes, Wellinghorst still wins!

That's called a "LANDSLIDE ELECTION"

I heard Wellinghorst even asked that the last few thousand votes not be counted so as not to embarras the other cadidates. He's a real gentleman!

I think some folks have lost it here. This is the second election in a row where candidates who were endorsed by CRR won by landslides. In fact,if you go back three elections, you will find that candidates who were purportedly against massive over-expansion won.

Enough said. Move on. You can parse numbers any way you want, but the voters have spoken.

That's called the "under-vote".

That's called the "under-vote"

That's called the "under-vote". Its when someone votes for one candidate but not necessarily for each and every race on a ballot.

In Ridgewood, about 40% of voters often don't vote beyond the national or state election choices, often leaving the local council or proposition boxes un-checked.

Its understandable, why vote for someone at random if you just don't know who the candidates are.

I heard that one of the candidates really got into it with the village clerk on election night thinking he had been cheated out of a few thousand votes.

Other observers note that the "under-vote" ,after review of the under vote last night, its about the same as in prior years.

Not enough focus on the other issues facing the village

Not enough focus on the other issues facing the village

My concern is that Wellinghorst and Walsh will focus too much on Valley and not enough on the other issues facing the village, including the health of the downtown business district, the upcoming union negotiations with the teachers and other public sector employees, the Schedler and Habernackel properties, the field lights, the inability of Ridgewood Water to keep up with summer demand, and the potential outsourcing or sharing (with other municipalities) town services. Valley is not what has kept my property taxes going up every year.

Ridgewood Taxi: No License to Operate For The Past 2 Years

Ridgewood Taxi: No License to Operate For The Past 2 Years

Ridgewood Taxi: No License to Operate Since 2008 - Failure to Provide Village Officials With Certificate of Liability Insurance

During Wednesday evening's Village Council Work Session, it was revealed that Ridgewood Taxi has been operating in direct violation of a Village ordinance related to "taxi service" requirements since November of 2008. The company has been either unable or unwilling to obtain liability insurance for its vehicle fleet as required by Village ordinance.

Currently, Ridgewood Taxi's co-owner claims to have liability insurance for her vehicles in the amount of $50K or $100K per vehicle, depending upon which vehicle. Village ordinance requires liability insurance of $1 million per vehicle notwithstanding.

Ridgewood Mayor Keith D. Killion has directed Ridgewood Taxi to immediately provide Village officials with proof that their entire fleet is covered by liability insurance, or risk shut down of their operation within the Village.

The Fly asks, would you operate a taxi fleet with liability insurance that didn't exceed $100K per vehicle?

It's a shame that today it takes a NIMBY issue for people to get to the polls.

It's a shame that today it takes a NIMBY issue for people to get to the polls.

The race was again won on Districts 12 and 15 -- Travell and BF neighborhoods. Ridgewood residents need to wake up and realize that decisions on all town issues are being controlled by the people that live near Valley. Let's also not forget that now 4 out of 5 council members live in that same neighborhood -- that's an unprecedented imbalance.

Less than a third of registered voters turned out. It's a shame that today it takes a NIMBY issue for people to get to the polls.

RHS atheletics: Our priorities are backwards.

RHS atheletics: Our priorities are backwards.

You are the one who is out of touch. Our nation is at risk because we are not turning out enough scientist and engineers to maintain the technological leadership that we have enjoyed for the past 100 years.

Lacrosse players didn't invent or discover semiconductors, computers, transistors, lasers, atomic energy, and genetic sequencing. Scientists and engineers did.

Our priorities are backwards. We should be spending more time on math and science education and less time on travel sports teams. This isn't an inner city school system where sports are the few ways out.

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Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

Phone: 201-447-2204
Email: info@tobaccoshop.com

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The Ridgewood Blog ,no thank you !

The Ridgewood Blog ,no thank you !

 "Many divergent views were expressed on the Ridgewood Blog during this election. Some of those views were in-artfully phrased, and some eloquently.

Many of the posts were unpleasant or downright painful to both the writers and readers. However, the truth was borne from that pain and, in the end, the Citizens have benefited greatly. The Ridgewood Blog and its many, many participants deserve our sincere thanks."