The Ridgewood Blog

Anti-bullying law imposes unfunded mandate on N.J. school districts, state body rules

2012-01-27T21:00:00.002-05:00

Anti-bullying law imposes unfunded mandate on N.J. school districts, state body rules
Friday January 27, 2012, 2:46 PM
BY LESLIE BRODY
STAFF WRITER
The Record

The Council on Local Mandates decided Friday that the state’s new anti-bullying law is an unfunded mandate, and the Legislature must come up with money to fund its provisions if lawmakers want it to remain in effect.

The council’s ruling means that if the Legislature does not come up with the money by the time the council’s formal decision is issued – likely within 60 days – the law will expire, the council’s chairman, John Sweeney, said.

Officials from the small, rural Allamuchy district, which educates 440 students, argued that the anti-bullying law was an unfunded mandate, and sought $20,000 to cover the costs of compliance, including staff time for extra paperwork, training and counseling for victims.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/Anti-bullying_law_imposes_unfunded_mandate_on_NJ_school_districts_state_body_rules.html

New Jersey attempting to get a handle on development

2012-01-27T20:00:00.002-05:00

New Jersey attempting to get a handle on development

After more than two decades of sprawling suburban growth and state agency feuds that led to chaotic regional-planning efforts, the Christie administration is pushing a new vision for future development in New Jersey.

Gov. Chris Christie is proposing a statewide plan to promote economic growth, funnel residential development toward mass transit and existing infrastructure and get state agencies cooperating more efficiently. (De Avila, The Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204661604577185421647867162.html?KEYWORDS=jersey

The websites for all schools need a review. They look like they are an evolution rather than a well planned interface.

2012-01-27T19:00:00.005-05:00

The websites for all schools need a review. They look like they are an evolution rather than a well planned interface.

First - Skyward, Blackboard, Fusion Pages and teacher websites - someone pick a product and make it work. Teachers should not be allowed to select the product that they feel most comfortable with. Some still use nothing at all! Communications need to be streamlined.

The RHS website still shows Lorenz as principal. These are simple updated that should be done.

The RHS web system is in shambles. Naviance, Skyward, Blackboard, Fusion, RevTrak, Community Pass, Teacher Webpages, links to publisher websites for textbooks (broken) and many teachers using their own Google pages.

I have two kids in school. It, quite literailly, takes my 1/2 hour each day to review the websites where their homework is posted so I know what they are doing.

I believe that it should be a REQUIREMENT that all teachers post their homework on Skyward or some other site. But one site and one site only. I know the teachers prefer Blackboard and it seemed to work well but then they couldn't record student grades

State pension funds continue to struggle

2012-01-27T18:00:00.001-05:00

State pension funds continue to struggle

New Jersey’s pension funds are continuing to struggle because they are still digging out of the hole left by the financial crisis and, in recent months, have been hit by the market meltdown in Europe.

The funds that serve 769,000 current or former state and local government workers held a total of $67.2 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, according to figures released Thursday.

But state and local governments face a combined $41.8 billion in liabilities over the next 30 years in excess of the amount the state currently holds, actuary figures released this week show. (Method, Gannett)

http://www.app.com/article/20120127/NJNEWS1002/301270009/State-pension-funds-continue-struggle

Ridgewood adjusting code covering underage drinking

2012-01-27T17:00:00.001-05:00

Ridgewood adjusting code covering underage drinking
Thursday, January 26, 2012 Last updated: Friday January 27, 2012, 1:27 AM
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

Village code covering underage drinking on private property may soon include a New Jersey amnesty law in an effort to increase awareness of the policy among local teenagers and mitigate drinking-related medical emergencies.

The village is trying to increase awareness of an amnesty policy granting immunity to underage children if they call authorities in drinking-related medical emergencies.

The law, which grants immunity to underage children from prosecution for consuming alcohol if they call authorities for assistance in cases of drinking-related medical emergencies, was passed in 2009 in an attempt to eliminate the hesitation minors feel to reach out to medical and police authorities because of potential legal charges they might face. The law, however, does not apply directly to instances of underage consumption on private property.

An amendment to the village code, which does address drinking on private property, would change that in Ridgewood.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/138181969_Code_change_aimed_at_putting_safety_first.html

Christie wants focus on jobs, not social issues

2012-01-27T16:00:00.003-05:00

Christie wants focus on jobs, not social

Thatwas the message that Gov. Chris Christie delivered to New Jersey business leaders visiting Washington, D.C., on Thursday as he ripped Democrats in the Legislature for their push to legalize gay marriage last week while the state’s unemployment remains high.

“What do you think the people of New Jersey care about most? Do you think they care about the things we’ve been talking about the most this last week?” Christie said. “They want to play around with social issues so they can make people look bad politically. How about saving that until we can get everybody back to work in New Jersey?” (DeFalco, Associated Press)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/301270040/Christie-wants-focus-jobs-not-social-issues?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|State

Christie dominates Chamber with pro-biz speech

2012-01-27T15:00:00.003-05:00

Christie dominates Chamber with pro-biz speech

Gov. Chris Christie took the midway mark of his tenure to spotlight his pro-business record at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner.

The Democratic members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation cleared the area as Christie gloated.

"Single best year of private sector job creation since 2000," the governor said of 2010. "We stopped the bleeding by stopping the spending. ...We are getting money back into your pockets so you can hire so we can get New Jerseyans back to work. It's time we give money back to the people of the State of New Jersey." (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/54344/christie-dominates-chamber-pro-biz-speech

Doodlebugheart's Gather & Giggle

2012-01-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

Doodlebugheart's Gather & Giggle
Sun, January 29, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, 27 Chestnut St., Suite 1B, 1rst Floor, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Cost: $10 per person

We are re-creating community the old-fashioned way, gathering around the crafting table. You bring in whatever you want to play with -- knitting, crafting, painting, wehatver -- or come empty-handed and we'll share our toys and tools. This month we'll make Valentine's cards. And of course, we'll have a giggle!

Reserve your space early; $10 at the door.

Enhanced communication focus of Ridgewood response proposals

2012-01-27T11:00:00.001-05:00

Enhanced communication focus of Ridgewood response proposals
Thursday, January 26, 2012
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

In the wake of two separate emergency situations in the village over the past six months, the Ridgewood Community Access Network (CAN) indentified methods of improving resident awareness to reduce risk during future floods and power outages.

"What we need to have is options and different contingencies," said Councilman and CAN Chairman Paul Aronsohn.

Amid the discussion at the group's first meeting of 2012, a more effective special needs registry, greater preparedness for emergency situations and establishing new lines of communication to residents emerged as crucial items to address in anticipation of future events.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/138180934_Enhanced_communication_focus_of_response_proposals_.html

Ridgewood School District elections will remain in the spring

2012-01-27T10:00:00.002-05:00

Ridgewood School District elections will remain in the spring
Thursday January 26, 2012, 4:13 PM
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

The date for April school board elections will remain untouched for the time being.
The Ridgewood school board decided not to move its elections to November, meaning the public will still have a chance to vote on the district's spending plan.

The Board of Education (BOE) on Monday tabled a resolution that would shift school board elections from April to November and eliminate a public vote on the yearly budget if it remained within the 2 percent cap on tax levy increases.

The resolution followed recently passed state legislation that allows local school boards to move their elections to November to coincide with state, national and, in some towns, local elections. According to officials, advantages of such a move would be the financial savings from consolidating voting materials into one date and increased voter turnout.

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138150983_Ridgewood_School_District_elections_will_remain_in_the_spring.html

Ridgewood school employee benefits are focus of budget talks

2012-01-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

Ridgewood school employee benefits are focus of budget talks
Thursday January 26, 2012, 4:13 PM
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

Due to an increase in health claims over the past year, the projected budget for employee benefits in the Ridgewood school district may increase 11 percent in 2012-2013.The preliminary draft budget for the coming school year was reviewed again at Monday's Board of Education (BOE) meeting, with discussion this time focusing on employee benefits, transportation and lease purchases. It was the second such public discussion of the budget leading up to the initial full budget presentation in late February.

The total cost for employee benefits for the 2012-2013 year is projected to be about $13.4 million. Much of the increase comes from a projected 20 percent increase in the health claims subcategory, which administrators say is based on the current claims ratio at this point in the budget process.

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/138150978_Ridgewood_school_employee_benefits_are_focus_of_budget_talks.html

Village Should Appeal

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Village Should Appeal

Reading the newspaper account of this story I wondered who was responsible for maintaining the oxygen tank. I don't know Kevin Reilly, however, if he arrived to a fire and had low oxygen he was not prepared to do his job. As it turns out he is responsible for maintaining his equipment. Not defending anyone, Bombace or otherwise, but if reilly got to house fire unprepared and complained about the air level in his tank, why bother showing up to work or even bother responding to the fire. As an outsider reading the report, it seemed to me the supervisor took the radio and flashlight possibly to ensure the safety of the firefighter who was prepared to do the job.

As far as the valley cleanup, I don't read anything into that other than other firefighters cleaned up without complaint. Sounds to me like this fella really doesn't want to work.

The village should appeal. Maybe there is good reason Rielly didn't get a promotion. From what I read the guy was unprepared putting himself in danger along with residents. I don't think I would want him responding if I had an emergency.

No opionion about Bombace since that name is never mentioned in the article.

Village should appeal

NJ businesses face nation’s biggest tax burden, according to report

2012-01-27T07:00:00.002-05:00

NJ businesses face nation’s biggest tax burden, according to report

New Jersey’s businesses have the nation’s heaviest tax burden, according to a survey released Wednesday, a week after Gov. Chris Christie proposed cutting income taxes by 10 percent.

The survey didn’t take into account recent tax changes that have been lauded by the business community. Even so, the state ranked near the bottom in three of five categories.

“Although New Jersey has consistently ranked at the bottom of the index, recent actions by the state show the beginnings of improvement in the business tax climate,” the report said. (Diamond, Gannett)

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20120125/NJBIZ/301250039/NJ-businesses-face-nation-s-biggest-tax-burden-according-report

N.J. tax battle revs up

2012-01-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

N.J. tax battle revs up

Following Gov. Chris Christie's proposal to slash income taxes, the fight shaping up here won't be about whether to cut taxes, but how.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney told The Wall Street Journal that Democrats are drawing up a competing plan to cut property taxes, as they seek to reposition themselves against the Republican governor's headline-grabbing proposal to slash levies on income. (Haddon, The Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577183340099961980.html?KEYWORDS=jersey

Audit: N.J. daycare program could be wasting millions of dollars

2012-01-27T05:00:00.002-05:00

Audit: N.J. daycare program could be wasting millions of dollars

New Jersey could be wasting millions of dollars a year on its subsidized child care program for thousands of working poor families by overpaying day care providers and failing to catch parents lying about their income, according to an audit state Comptroller Matthew Boxer released today.

The comptroller’s team found glaring problems with the oversight of the N.J. Cares for Kids day care assistance program that eluded the state Department of Human Services and 15 regional agencies that manage its vast referral network, according to the audit. (Livio, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/audit_nj_daycare_program_could.html

Low prices keep natural gas in NJ’s energy picture

2012-01-27T04:00:00.001-05:00

Low prices keep natural gas in NJ’s energy picture

Here’s a reason why New Jersey’s energy policy may be shaped by natural gas, at least in the immediate future.

The nearly half-million customers of New Jersey Natural Gas will receive another credit next month on their utility bills. When combined with credits from the previous two months, the typical residential ratepayer will see their cumulative bills trimmed by a total of $206, from $558 to $353, a savings of 37 percent. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0125/2252/

Study: Workers Spend $1,000 Yearly on Coffee

2012-01-26T22:13:00.000-05:00

Study: Workers Spend $1,000 Yearly on Coffee
Published : Thursday, 26 Jan 2012, 10:24 AM EST

(EndPlay Staff Reports) - American's weakness for coffee is proven once again in a new survey conducted by Accounting Principals .
In a telephone survey of 1,000 Americans who were currently employed, ages 18 or older, the participators were asked how much money they spend on "work-related" expenses.

Despite recent tough economic times, results showed that 50 percent of the American workforce regularly spent money on coffee. This totaled, on average, $1,000 a year on coffee alone.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpps/money/study-workers-spend-1000-yearly-on-coffee-dpgoh-20120126-fc_17400358#ixzz1kcm8jPC3

Hackensack Democrat Diane Sare to challenge Garrett for the LaRouche Slate in the 5th Distric

2012-01-26T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hackensack Democrat Diane Sare to challenge Garrett for the LaRouche Slate in the 5^th District

A Hackensack Democrat will vie for the opportunity to take on Republican incumbent Scott Garrett in the 5th District congressional race.

Diane Sare issued a statement this week saying she is running on the LaRouche Slate, along with others seeking House seats across the country.

The slate is backed by Lyndon LaRouche, who has run for president numerous times and advocates for the impeachment of President Obama. (Hayes, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/138105798_LaRouche_backer_joins_race_in_5th_District.html

36 Obama aides owe $833,000 in back taxes

2012-01-26T20:00:00.002-05:00

36 Obama aides owe $833,000 in back taxes
Andrew Malcolm
Political News & Commentary

How embarrassing this must be for President Obama, whose major speech theme so far this campaign season has been that every single American, no matter how rich, should pay their "fair share" of taxes.

Because how unfair -- indeed, un-American -- it is for an office worker like, say, Warren Buffet's secretary to dutifully pay her taxes, while some well-to-do people with better educations and higher incomes end up paying a much smaller tax rate.

Or, worse, skipping their taxes altogether.

A new report just out from the Internal Revenue Service reveals that 36 of President Obama's executive office staff owe the country $833,970 in back taxes. These people working for Mr. Fair Share apparently haven't paid any share, let alone their fair share.

Previous reports have shown how well-paid Obama's White House staff is, with 457 aides pulling down more than $37 million last year. That's up seven workers and nearly $4 million from the Bush administration's last year.

Nearly one-third of Obama's aides make more than $100,000 with 21 being paid the top White House salary of $172,200, each.

http://news.investors.com/Article/599002/201201260818/obama-white-house-staff-back-taxes.htm

Taxpayers still owed $132.9B from bailout: report

2012-01-26T19:00:00.001-05:00

Taxpayers still owed $132.9B from bailout: report
Jan 26, 6:33 AM (ET)

WASHINGTON (AP) - A government watchdog says U.S. taxpayers are still owed $132.9 billion that companies haven't repaid from the financial bailout, and some of that will never be recovered.

The bailout launched at the height of the financial crisis in September 2008 will continue to exist for years, says a report issued Thursday by Christy Romero, the acting special inspector general for the $700 billion bailout. Some bailout programs, such as the effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure by reducing mortgage payments, will last as late as 2017, costing the government an additional $51 billion or so.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20120126/D9SGJK6G0.html

Garrett Responds to President’s State of the Union Address

2012-01-26T18:00:00.000-05:00

Garrett Responds to President’s State of the Union Address
Jan 24, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), issued the following statement tonight after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress:

“For the past two years, I’ve gone to the House chamber to listen to President Obama’s State of the Union Address with an open mind only to leave deflated and disappointed. Unfortunately, this year was no different than years past. Rather than coming to Capitol Hill with very detailed, very specific policy prescriptions to solve our country’s greatest challenges, the President delivered a speech filled with patronizing rhetoric aimed squarely at House Republicans.

“After running up the three largest deficits in U.S. history, adding $4.6 trillion to the national debt and presiding over the worst economy since the Great Depression, it’s no wonder President Obama doesn’t want to discuss his record. Because the president cannot run on his record, he has no other choice but to play the blame game. While avoiding the issues and attacking House Republicans might be a convenient reelection strategy, it will do absolutely nothing to help restore the American people’s trust and confidence in their government.

“President Obama should abandon his political campaign against House Republicans and work with us to address the most seminal issues of our time. Rather than vilify our attempts to cut spending and reform our debt-ridden safety net programs, he should join us as we work to balance the budget and preserve Medicare and Social Security for future generations. Instead of campaigning against us as the ‘do-nothing Congress,’ he should accept our invitations to work together to pass the more than two dozen House-passed jobs bills that have been stuck in the Democrat-controlled Senate for months.

“Time and again House Republicans have stood up to fulfill our pledge to America only to be attacked by President Obama every step of the way. From cutting spending to balancing the budget to removing barriers to job creation, House Republicans have delivered results for the American people; it’s time for President Obama to do the same. I agree with the president when he says Americans ‘can’t wait’—they can’t wait any longer for their president to step up and lead.”

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE KITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

2012-01-26T17:00:00.003-05:00

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE KITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

The Ridgewood Board of Education will have two vacancies in the Annual School Election, which will take place on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. One vacancy is for a full three-year term and one vacancy is for a one-year unexpired term. Candidates must file a nominating petition with the local school board declaring which seat they are running for in order to get their name on the ballot for the Annual School Election. Click here for full information and the Candidate Kit from the NJSBA.The deadline to submit the nominating petition is 4 p.m., Verizon cell phone time, Monday, February 27, 2012.

School districts sign on to move board elections to November

2012-01-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

School districts sign on to move board elections to November

With the law barely a week old, nearly 60 schools districts in New Jersey have already signed up to move their board elections to November and effectively end the annual public vote on their base budgets.

The state’s School Boards Association is keeping a running tally of the districts that have adopted the necessary resolutions on their websites, with the number clicking to 56 late yesterday. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0125/2258/

Christie splits up Rutgers in higher ed overhaul

2012-01-26T15:00:00.002-05:00

Christie splits up Rutgers in higher ed overhaul

Gov. Chris Christie announced his plans for the re-organization of the state’s higher education facilities, including splitting up the Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-New Brunswick campuses.

The plan would: (1) fold a portion of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) into Rutgers-New Brunswick; (2) allow Rowan University to take over Rutgers-Camden and partner with Cooper University Medical School; and (3) create the Health Sciences University in Newark out of other UMDNJ departments to partner with University Hospital. (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/54296/christie-splits-rutgers-university-overhaul

The Valley Hospital Forms Regional Accountable Care Organization in Partnership with Atlantic Health System

2012-01-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Valley Hospital Forms Regional Accountable Care Organization in Partnership with Atlantic Health System
• Consumers benefit from improved care coordination and greater emphasis on preventive care
• Primary care doctors are rewarded for improving patient health and lowering medical costs

RIDGEWOOD, NJ, JANUARY 23, 2012 – The Valley Hospital announced today that it has formed the Valley Health System Regional Accountable Care Organization and has partnered with Atlantic Health System to submit an application for the Atlantic Health System ACO, LLC, to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The Atlantic ACO, of which Valley’s ACO is a regional division, was formed to improve patient care quality, reduce costs, and streamline health care delivery. ACOs are considered by many to be essential to the realization of national health care reform and an integral part of an overall vision of better and more affordable care for Medicare beneficiaries and heightened efficiency among physicians, hospitals, and insurers.

Touted as one of the "10 ACOs to Know" by Becker's Hospital Review, the Atlantic ACO application includes participation from more than 1,200 physicians, including more than 150 primary care physicians, 50 nurse practitioners and 10 ancillary care providers in five regions: Sussex, Morris, Union, Somerset, and Bergen counties. Member hospitals, which include Atlantic Health System's Morristown, Overlook, and Newton Medical Centers, in addition to Valley, will work together to improve the quality of health care and reduce the individual and clinical health care costs for the Medicare population served in these regions. Once the application is accepted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Atlantic ACO will begin operating on April 1.

“We are very excited to be in the forefront of leading the charge in shaping the future of health care in New Jersey and the nation” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of Valley Health System and The Valley Hospital. “This organization will bring together four hospitals, hundreds of doctors, home health care agencies and skilled nursing facilities in a way never done before in New Jersey. Working together to provide coordinated, high-quality care helps ensure that patients get the right care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services.”

Richard Lucanie, M.D., an internal medicine physician on Valley’s Medical Staff, serves along with Audrey Meyers as Valley’s representatives to the Atlantic ACO Board. “The ACO changes the model of care from one that rewards providers for treating illness, to one that rewards providers for maintaining or improving patients’ overall health,” Dr. Lucanie said. “Since the

majority of Medicare recipients live with one or more chronic illnesses, the ability to better manage those diseases will result in a better quality of life for patients. Through better coordination of care, patients will benefit by avoiding duplicity of testing, avoiding preventable hospital admissions, and realizing a reduction in overall healthcare costs."
"Once the application to form the ACO is accepted, the Atlantic ACO becomes 'accountable' for this region's enrolled Medicare population," said David J. Shulkin, MD, president, Morristown Medical Center, vice president, Atlantic Health System, and administrator, Atlantic ACO. "Over the last year, we have worked to develop the framework and relationships necessary for these patients to receive better coordination of their care and a higher level of quality health care services. Atlantic Health System's hospitals are at the forefront of clinical care. Now, as health care reform re-shapes the landscape, we are also taking a leadership role by planning for the future."

ACOs benefit patients in myriad ways, including giving them a more significant role in guiding their own care, reducing duplicative tests, and offering greater incentives for disease prevention. The Atlantic ACO offers an increased emphasis on prevention, evidence-based treatment options for better outcomes, broader physician access, and improved coordination of insurance coverage that will all ultimately promote wellness.

Both Atlantic Health System and The Valley Hospital have been exploring new methods of improving quality of care while controlling unnecessary costs over the last few years by participating in the Medicare Gainsharing trial, which encourages physician and hospital collaboration to make patients' hospital stays more efficient. The new ACO is another way for both organizations to drive efforts to improve health care delivery in the regions they serve.

Confusion on GW website causes false alarm

2012-01-26T11:00:00.003-05:00

Confusion on GW website causes false alarm

According to sources some of the staff listed on the GW staff web page were not listed properly.The site is being updated and corrected. If one looks at the way the staff is currently posted, it appears GW has 8 guidance people.

http://ridgewood.gwm.schoolfusion.us/modules/tt/staffList/staffListSimplified.phtml?sessionid=2a9cc80fa6bfcc517c8970ceb1de3e78

Village may fight jury award to fireman

2012-01-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

Village may fight jury award to fireman

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012
BY EVONNE COUTROS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Village officials have not decided whether to appeal a $3.5 million jury award given to a firefighter who claimed he was denied a promotion after he reported safety violations committed by his superiors.

Village Manager Ken Gabbert said he will consult with officials from the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund, which is representing the village in the case, on whether an appeal should be filed.

Kevin Reilly, 44, convinced a jury that he was passed over for lieutenant after blowing the whistle on Fire Department brass who he claimed put firefighters in danger.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/138105988_Village_may_fight_jury_award_to_fireman.html

Ridgewood Police Community Policing Alert

2012-01-26T09:00:00.001-05:00

Ridgewood Police Community Policing Alert

The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind residents with the increase in Burglaries in the area to be observant of your neighborhood. Surrounding towns have experienced burglaries in the recently. The entries have been made by smashing sliding glass doors as well as other glass in doors and forcing them open. These entries have all occurred to unoccupied homes and between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM If you observe any suspicious activities including people going to the rear of homes or cutting through yards, please contact the police immediately. When possible obtain a description of the vehicle or persons, including license plate numbers if possible. Please do not approach the persons or vehicle. We encourage resident to contact our community policing unit on information on home safety tips and neighborhood watch programs.

Be grateful that this breach in our school's security has been discovered by students and not someone with more malicious and potentially harmful intentions

2012-01-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

Be grateful that this breach in our school's security has been discovered by students and not someone with more malicious and potentially harmful intentions

These students were just trying to use the wi-fi . They are actually good students who were smart enough to figure out how to do that. With all the personal information that is available there, what I want to know is what is the school district doing to protect our children's privacy?

These kids' motives were innocent, yet unwittingly, they uncovered a serious problem. I sincerely hope that the school administration will not use these students as a scape goat to take the attention away from their own culpability. And if they try to, I hope the public will not let them get away with it.

Our schools have in their possession personal information about our children. We have a right to expect that this information is well protected. When high school students merely seeking to use the wi-fi service are able to in effect, breach this security, the onus is on the school administration to take responsibility.

These kids meant no harm and I for one am grateful that this breach in our school's security has been discovered by them and not someone with more malicious and potentially harmful intentions. Now it is up to the administration to fix this problem and insure the privacy of our students. To me, that is far more important than punishing these kids.

The victims here are all of the students whose personal information is not being properly protected. The students that hacked into the wi-fi are not responsible for that, the school administrators are.

if you are suggesting that these administrators are somehow the victims in this, you are sadly out of touch with reality

US Post Office Needs to Cut 260,000 Jobs: Rep. Issa

2012-01-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

US Post Office Needs to Cut 260,000 Jobs: Rep. Issa
Published: Tuesday, 24 Jan 2012 | 9:24 AM ET
By: Jeff Cox CNBC.com Senior Writer

The U.S. Postal Service needs to slash 260,000 jobs and end weekend delivery if it is to climb out of its "financially insolvent" condition, Rep. Darrell Issa said.

Despite a mandate to avoid deficits, the post office loses up to $15 billion a year, Issa told CNBC during an informal gathering of senior House Oversight and Government Reform Committee members.

"It's a combination of delivering what people want at a price they're willing to pay," the California Republican said. "We've restricted what the post office can charge for various classes of mail. But the biggest challenge is there are about 660,000 workers at the post office. In the private sector there would be about 400,000."

http://www.cnbc.com/id/46114130

State Education Commissioner Chris Cerf says teachers are ‘owed a debt of gratitude’ for the achievement

2012-01-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

State Education Commissioner Chris Cerf says teachers are ‘owed a debt of gratitude’ for the achievement

New Jersey schools continue to improve their overall national ranking on the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress, the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas.

Between 2009 and 2011, New Jersey maintained its ranking as the 2nd highest performing state in the country in grade 4 and 8 reading, and improved from 5th to 4th in grade 4 math, and from 5th to 3rd in grade 8 math, the state Department of education announced Tuesday.

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/nj-schools-ranked-among-best-in-the-united-states

WHO'S GREEDY? Obama Gave 1% to Charity, Romney Gave 15%

2012-01-26T05:00:00.001-05:00

WHO'S GREEDY? Obama Gave 1% to Charity, Romney Gave 15%

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife Michelle gave $10,772 of the $1.2 million they earned from 2000 through 2004 to charities, or less than 1 percent, according to tax returns for those years released today by his campaign.

The Obamas increased the amount they gave to charity when their income rose in 2005 and 2006 after the Illinois senator published a bestselling book. The $137,622 they gave over those two years amounted to more than 5 percent of their $2.6 million income.

Read more: http://nation.foxnews.com/mitt-romney/2012/01/24/whos-greedy-obama-gave-1-charity-romney-gave-15#ixzz1kUttCFFa

Delinquent: Feds, military owe $3.4B in unpaid taxes

2012-01-26T04:00:00.000-05:00

Delinquent: Feds, military owe $3.4B in unpaid taxes
Wednesday - 1/25/2012, 8:43am ET
Mark Segraves, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - From postal workers to congressional staffers, federal workers failed to pay billions in taxes in 2010. According to records released by the Internal Revenue Service, active and retired federal employees and military personnel combined owed $3,420,168,684 in unpaid taxes for 2010, an increase of more than 3 percent over the previous year.

As has been the case in past years, the agency with employees who owe the most in unpaid taxes is the U.S. Postal Service, where 25,640 employees owe nearly $270 million. Employees in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives owe more the $10 million. Active duty military owe more than $100 million.

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2720349

Ridgewood Concert Band - Midwinter Misicale

2012-01-25T22:00:00.000-05:00

Ridgewood Concert Band - Midwinter Misicale

Experience the Sound of the Ridgewood Concert Band - Friday, February 3 at 8pm, West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 S. Monroe St, Ridgewood. Prelude Concert featuring Lakeland Regional High School at 7:30pm; Concert at 8pm. Program Highlights - Barry Centanni, solist, Concerto for Timpani; Lincolnshire Posy; Molly on the Shore; Strange Humors; selections from the Lion King. Tickets: Adult $20; Senior $15; STudent $7. Children under 13 free with paying adult. Information 201/493-9030

FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped before

2012-01-25T21:00:00.001-05:00

FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped before
Jan 24, 11:16 PM (ET)
By CALVIN WOODWARD

WASHINGTON (AP) - It was a wish list, not a to-do list.

President Barack Obama laid out an array of plans in his State of the Union speech as if his hands weren't so tied by political realities. There can be little more than wishful thinking behind his call to end oil industry subsidies - something he could not get through a Democratic Congress, much less today's divided Congress, much less in this election year.

And there was more recycling, in an even more forbidding climate than when the ideas were new: He pushed for an immigration overhaul that he couldn't get past Democrats, permanent college tuition tax credits that he asked for a year ago, and familiar discouragements for companies that move overseas.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20120125/D9SFO48G0.html

Garrett Applauds Arrest of Man in Connection with Attacks against Bergen County Synagogues

2012-01-25T20:00:00.000-05:00

Garrett Applauds Arrest of Man in Connection with Attacks against Bergen County Synagogues
Jan 24, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) issued the following statement today after the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of Anthony M. Graziano in connection with the firebombing at Congregation Beth El Synagogue in Rutherford on January 11, 2012 and the arson fire at Congregation K’hal Adath Jeshurun in Paramus on January 3, 2012:

“I commend the excellent work of the Bergen County authorities who were able to identify and apprehend the first suspect in these horrific crimes in Bergen County. The outpouring of support for the Jewish community throughout these past weeks has been nothing short of tremendous, and I am confident that it will continue. Let this serve as a warning to anyone who is motivated by bigotry and hatred that the people of Bergen County will not stand to be threatened, nor be harassed, and will stand together with our Jewish neighbors.”

REGISTER NOW: JR NEW PLAYERS WORKSHOP IS FEBRUARY 3-5

2012-01-25T19:00:00.000-05:00

REGISTER NOW: JR NEW PLAYERS WORKSHOP IS FEBRUARY 3-5

Under the guidance of RHS staff, students in Grades 5-8 will work in small groups to create, rehearse and perform original scripts. Dates are Friday, February 3 – Sunday, February 5. Cost is $150. For full information, or to register, click here for the application : http://tinyurl.com/7g5jrjn, which is due by Wednesday, February 1.

Ridgewood, New Jersey, a town that's produced such red hot indie bands as Senses Fail, Vivian Girls, and Real Estate

2012-01-25T18:00:00.001-05:00

Ridgewood, New Jersey, a town that's produced such red hot indie bands as Senses Fail, Vivian Girls, and Real Estate

Ridgewood, N.J.: Why Here? Why Now?
by SAMI YENIGUN

This is the first in a new Friday series on The Record. We'll be going around the country, asking why music scenes grow where they do.

This week, Ridgewood, New Jersey, a town that's produced such red hot indie bands as Senses Fail, Vivian Girls, and Real Estate.

How did this happen? Ridgewood isn't exactly a smoldering cauldron of artistic ferment. It's an affluent New York City suburb where you're more likely to see a polo-sporting jock twirling a lacrosse stick than you are a skinny-pants-wearing musician hauling a bass amp.

Or are you? Some would say Ridgewood's role as musical midwife goes all the way back to arts programs in the public schools.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/08/12/129162870/ridgewood-n-j-why-here-why-now#commentBlock

Christie upstages gay marriage bill

2012-01-25T17:00:00.000-05:00

Christie upstages gay marriage bill

Gay and lesbian couples gathered on Tuesday to support state lawmakers who tried for the second time in three years to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey — but instead saw Governor Christie outflank them with a veto threat and an offer of a statewide referendum.

Voting along party lines, the eight Democrats on the state Senate Judiciary Committee revived a bill that would eliminate civil unions and allow gay and lesbian partners to be married. That legislation narrowly failed to pass in 2009, but Democrats had placed it atop their agenda this year, expecting stronger support from legislators of both parties who previously sat on the fence. (Fletcher, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/138023828_Christie_upstages_gay_marriage_bill.html

Analysis: N.J. educators earn D+

2012-01-25T16:00:00.001-05:00

Analysis: N.J. educators earn D+

New Jersey’s report card from a group that seeks to improve standards for the nation’s teachers is dismal: D-plus, 36th in the U.S. and making less progress than most states.

The report, scheduled to be published today by the National Council on Teacher Quality, could bolster parts of Gov. Chris Christie’s education overhaul agenda — though his critics say it shouldn’t. (Mulvihill, Associated Press)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120125/NEWS02/301250025/Analysis-N-J-educators-earn-D-report-card-ranks-state-36th-U-S-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|State

Ridgewood students in televised quiz show

2012-01-25T15:00:00.004-05:00

PHOTO COURTESY OF RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ridgewood students in televised quiz show
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25, 2012, 10:49 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Five students from Ridgewood High School (RHS) will be featured in a quiz show called "The Challenge" televised on the MSG Varsity channel at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The RHS team will be in a first-round matchup against High Tech High School.

The Ridgewood team is represented by Justin Shin, Divya Persaud, captain Zoe Blecher-Cohen, Thomas Husband and alternate Claire Walter. The academic advisor is Sean Kase.

Jared Cotter, host of "MSG Varsity's Talent Show" and a semi-finalist from American Idol, serves as moderator, testing competing teams on their knowledge of history, arts and literature, current events, math, and science in front of a live studio audience.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/138043118_Ridgewood_students_in_televised_quiz_show.html

New health care system in the works

2012-01-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

New health care system in the works

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012
BY LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

Medicare patients in North Jersey will be able to participate in a new style of health care if the federal government approves applications by groups of doctors associated with two Bergen County hospitals.

Called "accountable care organizations," these physician groups have been formed to take advantage of Medicare's new payment incentives for maintaining or improving patients' health, rather than rewarding them for providing lots of tests and treatment. The program was made possible by federal health care reform.

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/137943323_New_health_care_system_in_the_works.html

More hospitals demand payment on the spot

2012-01-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

More hospitals demand payment on the spot

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012
BY LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

North Jersey hospitals increasingly ask patients for cash deposits or credit-card imprints before they undergo surgery or high-priced tests.

They know it's easier to collect when the patient is in the waiting room, anxious to get a medical problem diagnosed or treated. Under intense financial pressure, hospital financial executives no longer wait months to bill the patient after insurance has paid.

Hospitals have wired scores of offices to swipe credit cards, assigned dozens of staff members to determine the patient's liability in advance, and added financial registrars to virtually every admission routine.

Often, patients are called days ahead and advised to bring a method of payment with them. Even in the emergency room, after the patient is stabilized, a family member is asked for the insurance information — and, generally, a $100 copay.

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/137872133_More_hospitals_demand_payment_on_the_spot.html

5 RHS students were inducted last month into the high school’s new Donahue Fellowship program.

2012-01-25T10:00:00.006-05:00

5 RHS students were inducted last month into the high school’s new Donahue Fellowship program.

RHS music students Catherine Janson (’15), Johnny DeCesare (’15), Matthew Casale (’14), Miranda Canilang (’13), and Trey Shore (’12) were inducted last month into the high school’s new Donahue Fellowship program, honoring the life and memory of 2003 RHS grad Connor Donohue. The Fellows were selected based on their love of music, motivation to study music seriously, and willingness to serve as a mentor and role model to other musicians. Acceptance into the Fellowship includes weekly private music lessons, monthly music seminars with a professional musician, master classes with faculty at local universities, and opportunities to attend concerts in the area.

The Fellowship was established by RHS alumni Colin Mead (’03), Val Allevi (’02), MichaelAaron Flicker (’01), Director of Bands Jeffrey Haas, and is currently led by Alison Crossley (’01). The Fellowship is a recognized non-profit organization and operates solely on fundraising and donations. Donations can be sent to: Donohue Fellowship c/o Valerie Allevi, 411A Gregory Avenue, Weehawken, NJ 07086. Checks should be made payable to RHS Band Council Alumni. Any questions about the Fellowship can be sent to DonohueFellowship@rhsbands.org

“MANDATE” IS A DIRTY WORD

2012-01-25T09:00:00.002-05:00

“MANDATE” IS A DIRTY WORD
By Ian Linker

I'm about to use a dirty word. It's the "M" word. Not everyone dislikes the word. In fact, the "M" word is a word the President and others on the Left are quite fond of. So what is the word? Mandate - the antithesis of freedom. Compulsion, force, coercion, and requirement, are all common synonyms of the "M" word. Obama and his allies quite simply love to mandate.

To name a few Obama mandates: Obamacare mandates that all Americans carry health insurance by 2014 or face a stiff penalty. The Dodd-Frank financial industry overhaul, through the controversial Volcker Rule,mandates that by July of this year certain banks cannot buy and sell securities for their own benefit. In the name of energy efficiency, through a special office of the Department of Energy, the Administration mandates what kind of appliances the American people can buy for their homes. Obama has mandated that the cars Americansbuy must achieve 56 mpg, i.e., fully electric powered engines, by 2025. Also in the name of energy efficiency,Obama has mandated that we can only buy a certain type of mercury-filled light bulb.

The reason why the "M" word comes so easy to the President and others on the Left, is that they are starting from a very different point. The Left claim that American principles include fairness, equal opportunity, and equal responsibility for all. Now I have read the Declaration of Independence, and I have read the Constitution,and I have read the Federalist Papers, and I simply cannot find these so-called "principles" in any of these documents. What I found are words like freedom, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and natural-born rights. These are America's founding principles.

Besides trampling our natural-born freedoms, disregarding the Constitution, and treating the American people like we are too stupid to make decisions for ourselves, mandates like these also have significant negative economic consequences.

Many of these mandates increase the cost of doing business. For instance, the rules and regulations imposed by President Obama alone have increased the cost of doing business in this country by tens of billions of dollars.If business can afford to, they will pass along the increases to their customers as higher prices - like a hiddentax increase. They may also sell fewer goods or services, or they will lay off, or simply not hire more workers. What ever the consequence, mandates like those favored by the Left have significantly negative effects on the U.S. economy.

Now, the Obama Administration is imposing a new mandate: as part of Obamacare regulations the President is mandating most health plans to fully cover contraception without co-payments or deductibles.

The new rule will not affect government-administered, i.e., publicly funded, health care. Those on public assistance already have their birth control fully subsidized. Instead, private health plans will now be required to provide birth control to all their participants, including those who would have already been on birth control with or without the mandate. So, guess what? Those of us who have health insurance will soon be paying higher monthly premiums to subsidize the cost of birth control and a laundry list of other family planning items. After all, the manufacturers of these products are not going to provide them for free. (They cost millionsto manufacture, not to mention the significant research and development costs that go into developing many of these products, and let’s face it, there is nothing wrong with maximizing profits.) And the health insurers who pay for them are not going to just eat the cost. They are going to pass them along to their customers, i.e.,premium-paying Americans - folks like you and me who have health insurance and pay premiums out of our own pockets.

The government's basis for the new mandate is to reduce the downstream healthcare costs associated with unwanted pregnancies. Putting the moral issues against the mandate, which are significant, aside, the government's cost-benefit analysis appears to be seriously flawed.

The government, not surprisingly, is overstating the benefit associated with the new mandate. For instance, the number of unintended pregnancies in the U.S. per year covered by the mandate is not as high as the government would have us believe. In fact, although the government claims millions will annually benefit from the mandate, no more than 500,000 unwanted pregnancies would be covered by it. Furthermore, no one is claiming, I'm sure,that the new mandate will motivate the use of birth control in all of these cases or that birth control will preventunintended pregnancies 100% of the time.

And the costs associated with the mandate will likely be higher than the government anticipates. Indeed, those who currently have at least a portion of their birth control covered by their insurance will now have 100% of the cost covered. And some of those not currently on birth control - and not counted as an unwanted pregnancy because they didn't get pregnant - when offered a free lunch may start using a contraceptive. It will cost insurance companies more to fully cover birth control. These increased costs will simply be passed along ashigher premiums. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Assuming the mandate is even authorized by the Constitution, which I submit it is not, the benefit to society should significantly outweigh the increased costs in order to justify the invasion of our freedom. Once again, it does not.

Mandates are a dirty word not only because they destroy our freedom and keep us under the heavy hand of the nanny state, but they also are invidious because they often impose tax increases on the American people without anyone noticing or batting an eye.

Ian Linker is an attorney living in Ridgewood, New Jersey and is a former Republican candidate for the U.S.Senate from New Jersey.

Ridgewood making post-Irene repairs to sewer line

2012-01-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

Ridgewood making post-Irene repairs to sewer line

TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2012, 9:40 AM
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Repair work has been proceeding along the Saddle River near Route 17, where 80 feet of 16-inch sewer line was damaged by flooding during Hurricane Irene.The reconstruction was deemed a priority by Village Manager Ken Gabbert following the storm. The village obtained an emergency permit from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Bergen County Soil Conservation District to bring in heavy machinery and begin rebuilding the damaged section, officials said.

The contract was awarded to River Edge landscaping company Let It Grow, which will perform the job for $558,713, according to a resolution passed by the Village Council in December.

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/137958023_Ridgewood_making_post-Irene_repairs_to_sewer_line_.html

Thank You for Supporting In the Net for Nick

2012-01-25T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thank You for Supporting In the Net for Nick

On January 16th, Martin Luther King Day, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ridgewood hosted a fundraiser for Nick Tsiskakis, an 8th grader from George Washington Middle School. This past October, Nick rode his bike to school and was hit by a landscaping truck. He had severe injuries to his skull and leg and has had several surgeries. He is home receiving occupational, physical, and cognitive therapies. As you can imagine, the cost of medical treatments for the Tsiskakis family has been astronomical.

"In The Net For Nick", a basketball free-throw fundraiser helped relieve a portion of the costs for the family. On the day of the event, with help from the community, $6,000 was raised so far for the Tsiskakis'. Once sponsors for the event submit their monies, more money is expected to be received. Thrivent Financial is matching a portion of these funds.

On the day of the fundraiser, sixty children, ages 3rd grade thru 12th grade, shot their free throws for the fundraiser and thirty volunteers worked the event. Volunteers included Bethlehem members, the Ridgewood High School Boys and Girls basketball teams, Mike Simmel from the Harlem Wizards, and Goatgear.

Thanks to everyone who made this a successful event! Special thanks go to the organizers of this event; Bethlehem members, Pam Chmiel; Margie Downs, Rebecca Leer, Gretchen Nelson, the Tsiskakis' family friend, Rose Hueneke and Thrivent Financial.

If you were unable to participate in this event, but would like to make a donation to Nick, please
Make your check payable to: “Nick Tsiskasis” and mail to In The Net For Nick, c/o Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 155 Linwood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450.

Gretchen Nelson
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Ridgewood, NJ

Who Should Have Access to Student Records?

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Who Should Have Access to Student Records?

Education data can be useful, but privacy experts are concerned about data misuse.
By JASON KOEBLER
January 19, 2012

Since “No Child Left Behind” was passed 10 years ago, states have been required to ramp up the amount of data they collect about individual students, teachers, and schools. Personal information, including test scores, economic status, grades, and even disciplinary problems and student pregnancies, are tracked and stored in a kind of virtual “permanent record” for each student.

But parents and students have very little access to that data, according to a report released Wednesday by the Data Quality Campaign, an organization that advocates for expanded data use.

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/01/19/who-should-have-access-to-student-records

Google announces privacy changes across products; users can’t opt out

2012-01-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

Google announces privacy changes across products; users can’t opt out

By Cecilia Kang, Tuesday, January 24, 4:33 PM

Google said Tuesday it will follow the activities of users across e-mail, search, YouTube and other services, a shift in strategy that is expected to invite greater scrutiny of its privacy and competitive practices.

The information will enable Google to develop a fuller picture of how people use its growing empire of Web sites. Consumers will have no choice but to accept the changes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/google-tracks-consumers-across-products-users-cant-opt-out/2012/01/24/gIQArgJHOQ_story.html?wpisrc=al_comboNE_b

Restore American Exceptionalism

2012-01-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

Restore American Exceptionalism

Join

Americans For Prosperity Foundation

Franklin Lakes Tea Party

Fox News Contributor Dick Morris

7 pm, Thursday, January 26

at the Franklin Lakes Ambulance Building

(Park in the lot at Franklin and Pulis Avenues)

more information: 201 891-8728, 201 891-5918

jrkayal@aol.com

Franklin Lakes Tea Party

Division of West Bergen Tea Party Inc

3 Reasons School Choice is Growing

2012-01-24T21:00:00.001-05:00

3 Reasons School Choice is Growing

Under Obama, Price of Gas Has Jumped 83 Percent, Ground Beef 24 Percent, Bacon 22 Percent

2012-01-24T20:00:00.000-05:00

Under Obama, Price of Gas Has Jumped 83 Percent, Ground Beef 24 Percent, Bacon 22 Percent
By Christopher Goins
January 20, 2012

(CNSNews.com) – So far, during the presidency of Barack Obama, the price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped 83 percent, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

During the same period, the price of ground beef has gone up 24 percent and price of bacon has gone up 22 percent.

When Obama entered the White House in January 2009, the city average price for one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $1.79, according to the BLS. (The figures are in nominal dollars: not adjusted for inflation.) Five months later in June, unleaded gasoline was $2.26 per gallon, an increase of 26 percent. By December 2011, the price of regular unleaded gas per gallon was $3.28, an 83 percent increase from January 2009.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/under-obama-price-gas-has-jumped-83-percent-ground-beef-24-percent-bacon-22-percent

Ridgewood firefighter Whistle blower Kevin Reilly awarded $3.5 million

2012-01-24T19:00:00.001-05:00

Ridgewood firefighter Whistle blower Kevin Reilly awarded $3.5 million
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

(RIDGEWOOD-NJ) The jury awarded him $3.5 million on Monday to Ridgewood Firefighter Kevin Reilly . Reilly claimed that he reported two incidents in which firefighter safety was at risk to his supervisors and no corrective action was taken .Reilly claimed the violations were caused by his supervisors themselves . Later the supervisors retaliated by passing him over for promotion to lieutenant and gave him unflattering reviews without his knowledge.

Reilly's allegations claimed the supervisors actions put him in danger during the 2009 Woodside fire.Reilly claimed the deputy chief at the time ordered him to enter the structure although Reilly had limited air supply, the low-air alarm then went off while he was inside the structure and the deputy chief then took Reilly’s radio and flashlight and ordered him to exit the structure without his basic safety equipment..

The article in the Bergen Record did not name the deputy chief and the fire chief involved ,but sources close to this blog have named Jim Bombace as his superior and Mark Bombace was the other lieutenant.

Though readers are skeptical over the size of the verdict award many support Kevin Reilly's actions. One reader went on to say ,"I do not know Kevin Reilly, but he has my respect and admiration. Not knowing the particulars in the case, I have to believe that the 6-0 verdict to award him 3.5M must have been warranted. Can you imagine what the judgment would have been had Kevin been critically injured or worse yet killed while on the job ... 10M? This is a very expensive lesson for the Ridgewood Fire Department ... let's hope they learned it. God bless you Kevin Reilly for going the distance and keeping your fellow firefighters safe."

" VOICE OF THE PEOPLE " : Say No to the Internet Police

2012-01-24T18:00:00.000-05:00

" VOICE OF THE PEOPLE " : Say No to the Internet Police
SueT

While all sorts of busy shoppers move purposefully down Main Street in Ridgewood and other suburban towns across America, a miriad of interesting and personally impacting things are taking place in the seats of power, both in our state capitol and in Washington DC. Clearly, most of these meaningful activities go on virtually unnoticed, except when selectively brought out by the media in their relentless desire to grab hold of our attention with gruesome details of some hideous crime or economic calamity that they deem is important for them to share.

However, an interesting change has taken place in recent years with the introduction of technology.
Now there is not a being who does not eventually acquire a technical device through which his or her life is programmed from the super market, to school, to work and beyond. Indeed, some people's lives revolve around Internet social programs such as Face Book, Twitter and Linked in to name but a few, thereby facilitating the daily transmission of all varieties of thought and deed, thus thrusting them into the contemporary world of cyber space. Privacy has become a thing of the past, as some individuals pour their very hearts out into space regularly for all the inquisitive world to see, if desired.

Now , there is another important ingredient in all of this utopian activity and it is called government.

It appears to be silent for the most part. However, recently the top blew off the kettle and government got a rude awakening from the people, when it attempted to police the Internet.

Web sites and search engines shut down in protest. Citizens actually STOPPED an important bill, SOPA ( Stop On Line Piracy Act ) from going through the House of Representatives, in conjunction with Google, Wikipedia and other important Internet participants. The government's attempted intrusion into the net raised the ire of citizens and businesses alike from coast to coast, at one point even shutting down access to the US Senate email. A similar piece of legislation, PIPA ( Protect Intellectual Property Act ) sailed through the Senate committee and was expected to pass easily through with the House version. These bills were directed mainly toward foreign websites. However, this was merely a " First step" toward expanding control of the Internet by the government. According to The Hill," The piracy push had the backing of the US Chamber of Commerce, the nations largest and most influential Business lobby. Hollywood Studios and the recording industry were also pushing hard to line up support from both sides of the aisle. Labor Unions, an ally of the Democrats, were also calling for action."

Then the Internet and Citizens Got Involved!
The action was unprecedentd. Some said they had never seen anything like it! The people spoke out! They joined hands through the Internet and stopped the legislation dead in its tracks!

Garrett: Delay of Obama budget reinforces president’s lack of leadership on deficit and debt crisis

2012-01-24T17:00:00.001-05:00

Garrett: Delay of Obama budget reinforces president’s lack of leadership on deficit and debt crisis
Jan 23, 2012 Issues: Budget

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Vice Chairman of the House Budget Committee and Chairman of the Budget and Spending Task Force for the Republican Study Committee (RSC), issued the following statement today after President Obama announced that he would delay the release of his 2013 budget:

“I was disappointed to learn today that President Obama has decided to delay the release of his 2013 budget. American families don’t have the luxury of delaying when they write their household budgets each year, and neither should the president. Unfortunately, this is what we have come to expect of a president that routinely abdicates his leadership responsibilities and has shown no interest in working with House Republicans to rescue our country from the depths of financial ruin.”

Medicare ACOs: Coming soon to a healthcare provider near you

2012-01-24T16:00:00.000-05:00

Medicare ACOs: Coming soon to a healthcare provider near you

Medicare accountable care organizations -- which promise to transform the way medical services are delivered and medical professionals are compensated -- are taking shape across New Jersey, as several major healthcare providers either ramp up their own ACOs or give the idea serious scrutiny.

Atlantic Health System, the parent of Morristown, Overlook, and Newton Medical Centers, said Monday that it has applied to Medicare to launch an ACO in April, in partnership with Ridgewood's Valley Hospital. Hackensack University Medical Center has applied as well. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick said it is evaluating its ACO options, as is UMDNJ-University Hospital in Newark. (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0124/0144/

Bill to create N.J. teacher loan forgiveness program clears Senate committee

2012-01-24T15:00:00.000-05:00

Bill to create N.J. teacher loan forgiveness program clears Senate committee

Legislation designed to establish a loan redemption program under which teachers could have a portion of their undergraduate loans forgiven by the state in exchange for work at a school in New Jersey was approved Monday by the state Senate Education Committee.

The bill (S-543) would create the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Teacher Loan Redemption Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The program would allow loan recipients to redeem 10 percent of their NJCLASS loan amounts for each year of service as a teacher in a school in New Jersey. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/bill-to-create-nj-teacher-loan-forgiveness-program-clears-senate-committee

Democratic Job Bill: N.J. Dems advance bills lifting parole requirements, job restrictions for convicted felons

2012-01-24T12:00:00.006-05:00

The real question is will child molesters now be allowed to teach school ?

Democratic Job Bill: N.J. Dems advance bills lifting parole requirements, job restrictions for convicted felons

Parole requirements would be eased for some prisoners and job restrictions lifted for convicted felons under a package of bills that Democratic sponsors said Monday would redirect state funds from incarceration to rehabilitation.

The measures — introduced last week amid the start of the new legislative session and an address by the the governor — were described by state Sens. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) and Sandra Cunningham (D-Hudson), the sponsors, as a way to revamp the criminal justice system by encouraging drug treatment and removing employment barriers. (Spoto, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/nj_dems_advance_bills_lifting.html

Christie’s two nominations to state Supreme Court include first Asian-American and first openly gay man

2012-01-24T11:00:00.001-05:00

Christie’s two nominations to state Supreme Court include first Asian-American and first openly gay man

Kwon would be the first Asian-American to serve on the state’s highest court and Harris is African-American and openly gay.

Harris would replace former Justice John Wallace, who is African-American, and Kwon would replace Justice Virginia Long, who faces mandatory retirement next month.

Christie said his nominations will bring an historic level of diversity to the court.

“I am extraordinarily proud to announce these two historic nominations to the New Jersey State Supreme Court,” the governor said at the Statehouse. “Bruce and Phil are each accomplished and talented individuals with skilled legal minds who are highly respected in the legal community. Just as importantly, each of them has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to serving their state and communities.” (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/gov-christie-appoints-first-openly-gay-african-american-to-nj-supreme-court

Parasites: Salaries soared for staff at 9/11 memorial

2012-01-24T10:00:00.005-05:00

So now we know what the HUGE toll increase was really for

Parasites: Salaries soared for staff at 9/11 memorial

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012
BY SHAWN BOBURGSTAFF WRITERTHE RECORD
The private foundation seeking federal tax money to run the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center paid one executive about $440,000 in 2010, recently released tax records show.

Joan Gerner, the foundation's former executive vice president of design and construction, worked about four months that year before receiving a $296,000 severance payment, the records show. A spokesman for the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum declined to comment on the severance payment or Gerner's departure, less than three years after she was hired, citing a non-disclosure agreement between the non-profit and Gerner.

Seven other executives, whose offices overlooked last year's Occupy Wall Street protest in Zuccotti Park, made more than $200,000 at the non-profit, and its president made $378,000.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/137872033_Salaries_soared_for_staff_at_9_11_memorial.html

Snow and Ice must be removed from Public Sidewalks

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Snow and Ice must be removed from Public Sidewalks

The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind residents that Village Ordinance 249-1 states that snow and ice be removed from the public sidewalks abutting residential properties within 24 hours of the end of the storm. Commercial properties must be cleared by 9:00 AM the next morning. For the safety of all of the citizens this should include access to the street, especially the corners and crosswalks.

Ridgewood firefighter awarded $3.5 million in promotion lawsuit

2012-01-24T07:52:00.003-05:00

Ridgewood firefighter awarded $3.5 million in promotion lawsuit

MONDAY JANUARY 23, 2012, 6:31 PM
BY KIBRET MARKOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

A jury awarded $3.5 million on Monday to a Ridgewood fireman who alleged that the village denied him a promotion because he blew the whistle on policy violations at the Fire Department.

Kevin Reilly alleged that he reported two incidents in which firefighter safety was compromised because of violations by his superiors.

He reported those violations to higher-ups, he said, but instead of taking corrective actions, the supervisors passed him over for promotion to lieutenant and gave him unflattering reviews without his knowledge.

A jury in Superior Court in Hackensack agreed with Reilly on Monday with a 6-0 verdict, awarding him the entire amount for emotional distress.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/Ridgewood_firefighter_awarded_35_million_in_promotion_lawsuit.html

Ron Paul Slams “Out Of Control Police State” After Rand Paul Detained By TSA

2012-01-24T07:00:00.002-05:00

Ron Paul Slams “Out Of Control Police State” After Rand Paul Detained By TSA

Congressman renews his call to abolish agency that “gropes and grabs” Americans
Steve Watson
Infowars.com
January 23, 2012

GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul issued the following statement on his campaign website this afternoon, following his son Rand’s treatment at the hands of the TSA in Nashville.

http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-slams-out-of-control-police-state-after-rand-paul-detained-by-tsa/

Environmental coalition moves to block natural gas pipeline,jobs and cheaper energy

2012-01-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

Environmental coalition moves to block natural gas pipeline,jobs and cheaper energy

In a reflection of the growing opposition to the expansion of energy infrastructure projects, a coalition of New Jersey environmental groups is seeking to intervene in a case involving a natural gas pipeline through northern New Jersey.

The groups are seeking to intercede in the proposed Northeast Grid Supply project by the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline (Transco), which is seeking approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deliver cheap natural gas into the metropolitan area from the Marcellus Shale formations in neighboring Pennsylvania and New York. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0122/2226/

Privatizing parts of N.J. park system stirs debate

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

Privatizing parts of N.J. park system stirs debate

A chain restaurant in Wharton State Forest. A Ferris wheel at Liberty State Park. Weddings, flea markets, and corporate events taking over New Jersey's historic sites and scenic lands.

That could be the future if the state goes forward with plans to privatize parts of its park system, some warn. (Colimore, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120122_Privatizing_parts_of_N_J__park_system_stirs_debate.html

New Jersey homeless census seeks to count, aid the growing number of people in need

2012-01-24T04:00:00.002-05:00

New Jersey homeless census seeks to count, aid the growing number of people in need

Mike Wood, who has spent the last seven years of his life out of doors, showed no interest in traveling away from his encampment off Route 9 in Howell so he can be counted as a homeless man.

Nor does he plan to go to any local center to pick up clothing and personal items – a draw to get the homeless to take part in a statewide census scheduled for Wednesday. (Serrano, Gannett)

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20120122/NJNEWS10/301220017/New-Jersey-homeless-census-seeks-count-aid-growing-number-people-need

Huge Solar Eruption Sparks Strongest Radiation Storm in 7 Years

2012-01-23T22:23:00.000-05:00

Huge Solar Eruption Sparks Strongest Radiation Storm in 7 Years
SPACE.com StaffDate: 23 January 2012 Time: 11:47 AM ET

This story was updated at 2:03 p.m. EST.

A powerful solar eruption is expected to blast a stream of charged particles toward Earth tomorrow (Jan. 24), as the strongest radiation storm since 2005 rages on the sun.

Early this morning (0359 GMT Jan. 23, which corresponds to late Sunday, Jan. 22 at 10:59 p.m. EST), NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory caught an extreme ultraviolet flash from a huge eruption on the sun , according to the skywatching website Spaceweather.com.

The solar flare spewed from sunspot 1402, a region of the sun that has become increasingly active lately. Several NASA satellites, including the Solar Dynamics Observatory, the Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), and the Stereo spacecraft observed the massive sun storm.

http://www.space.com/14319-huge-solar-eruption-sparks-radiation-storm.html

Poll: Americans ‘Broadly Dissatisfied’ in This Election Year

2012-01-23T21:00:00.001-05:00

Poll: Americans ‘Broadly Dissatisfied’ in This Election Year

Majority of Americans Express Dissatisfaction on 14 of 24 Key Issues

By Susan Jones
January 23, 2012

(CNSNews.com) - At the start of this election year, a new Gallup Polls finds Americans are "broadly dissatisfied" on a number of important issues -- including the economy, the size and power of the federal government, and the nation's moral and ethical climate.

The poll shows 83 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the state of the economy; 69 percent are unhappy about big government; and 68 percent don't like the nation's moral and ethical climate. Gallup says American's confidence in the nation's moral and ethical climate has fallen to a new low in January 2012.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/poll-americans-broadly-dissatisfied-election-year

NEW DATE: Assemblymen Scott Rumana and David Russo will speak at the Education Center on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m

2012-01-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

NEW DATE: Assemblymen Scott Rumana and David Russo will speak at the Education Center on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m

Assemblymen Scott Rumana and David Russo will speak at the Education Center on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to come to 49 Cottage Place, floor 3, to hear them address hot education topics in the Legislature at this time.

Topics to be discussed include:
Teacher Tenure Reform
Charter Schools
Vouchers
School Funding
School State Aid

Please rsvp to Kathy Kiedaisch in the Superintendent’s Office at kkiedaisch@ridgewood.k12.nj.us or 201-670-2700, ext. 10530.

Celebrating School Choice Week

2012-01-23T19:00:00.001-05:00

Celebrating School Choice Week
Mike Brownfield

January 23, 2012 at 9:31 am

What singular cause could bring together the likes of Democratic campaign strategist James Carville, Republican Governor Bobby Jindal (LA), actor Sacha Baron Cohen, and 2,000 families, all under one roof? The answer: school choice — empowering parents with the ability to save their children from failing schools, thereby giving them a shot at a brighter future.

Those big names came together to kick off National School Choice Week in New Orleans over the weekend, a celebration that is being echoed in some 400 events across the country in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, with half the nation’s governors declaring “School Choice Week” in their states. Actor, comedian, and education advocate Bill Cosby offered his support for school choice, as well:

http://blog.heritage.org/2012/01/23/morning-bell-celebrating-school-choice-week/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell

N.J. might pick up burial tab for line-of-duty deaths

2012-01-23T18:00:00.001-05:00

N.J. might pick up burial tab for line-of-duty deaths

Funeral expenses for police officers, firefighters, EMTs and other first-responders killed in the line of duty may soon be covered by the state.

Lawmakers will consider a measure on Monday that would authorize the state treasury department to reimburse family members up to $10,000 for burial expenses. The amount would be reduced by any Workers Compensation allowance, which currently has a $3,500 maximum. (Associated Press)

http://www.app.com/usatoday/article/38403221?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|New%20Jersey%20News|p

Should Christie be cutting property taxes instead?

2012-01-23T17:00:00.001-05:00

Should Christie be cutting property taxes instead?

Gov. Chris Christie was in a triumphant mood during his State of the State speech as he surveyed his record in "controlling" property taxes.

Property taxes, Christie declared, "had risen 70 percent in the ten years before I became governor. Rising property taxes were driving people out of this state. And so we joined together," he said, praising Democratic legislative leaders for their cooperation, "to cap property tax growth at no more than 2 percent a year." (Magyar, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0123/0031/

Samuel Adams Beer Dinner at the Park West Tavern

2012-01-23T16:00:00.000-05:00

Samuel Adams Beer Dinner at the Park West Tavern
Thursday, January 26, 2012
7:00 pm

If you're a beer lover and also love a GREAT meal, this event is for you. OR...if you're just inquisitive about food and beer pairings and how they enhance the true enjoyment of each other, this is an event for you as well!

$50.00 plus tip

Four course beer inspired menu paired with a different Samuel Adams Beer each course.

Park West Tavern
30 Oak St
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
www.parkwesttavern.com

For reservations please call
201 445-5400

8 N.J. charter schools approved to open in Camden, Newark, Trenton, Jersey City, Vineland-Millville

2012-01-23T15:00:00.001-05:00

8 N.J. charter schools approved to open in Camden, Newark, Trenton, Jersey City, Vineland-Millville

Eight new charter schools that would open in September in Camden, Newark, Trenton, Jersey City, and

Millville-Vineland have been approved by the state Department of Education.

In Camden, the Charter School for Global Leadership would educate 600 children in grades 9 to 12, the City Invincible Charter School would enroll 600 children in grades K to 8, and the Hope Community Charter School would take 330 children for grades K to 4. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/8-nj-charter-schools-approved-to-open-in-camden-newark-trenton-jersey-city-vineland-millville

Ridgewood's Got Talent 2012 Semi-Finals

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Ridgewood's Got Talent 2012 Semi-Finals
Sat, January 28, 2012
Time: 12:00 AM
Porch Light Productions, 555 Broad Street, Glen Rock

Who: Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce
What: Ridgewood's Got Talent*
Where: Porch Light Productions
555 Broad Street, Glen Rock
When: Semi Finals: Saturday January 28, 2012
Final Event: Saturday February 11, 2012

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 2nd Annual "Ridgewood's Got Talent". This event is for the community of Ridgewood and will be held at Porch Light Productions.
The grand prize winners will be given a spot in the 2012 Downtown for the Holidays performance on stage! There will be a selection of judges from Porch Light Productions and From the Top Music Studio.

We are on Facebook, so become a fan of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce today!

Thank you – Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce –

Please call or email:
Joan Groome
201-445-2600
info@ridgewoodchamber.com

Ridgewood Chamber Restaurant Week 2012 - Sun, January 22, 2012 - Thu, January 26, 2012

2012-01-23T11:00:00.002-05:00

Ridgewood Chamber Restaurant Week 2012 - Sun, January 22, 2012 - Thu, January 26, 2012
Ridgewood, Ridgewood, NJ
Cost: $20.12 per person

2012 Restaurant Week(s)
January 15, 2012 - January 19, 2012 - Sunday-Thursday
January 22, 2012 - January 26, 2012 - Sunday-Thursday

Fine Dining in Ridgewood for only $20.12

Participating restaurants are offering you the chance to experience dining in Ridgewood like never before.

Each chef is preparing a tantalizing 3-course, prix-fixe menu for your dining pleasure. Choose from 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 3 desserts for only $20.12.

And, to compliment your meal, order a wonderful bottle of wine at $20.12 from one of Ridgewood's wine shops close to all of these restaurants:

Super Cellars & Cheese Shop Artisanal Marketplace
201-444-0012
The Wine Cottage
201-447-1113
The Wine Seller
201-444-3300

Participating Restaurants:

Blend
201-447-4343

Brick Lane Curry House
201-670-7311

Dim Sum Dynasty
201-652-0686

It's Greek to Me
201-612-2600

Marcello's by the Station Restaurant
201-652-2120

Mediterraneo
201-447-0022

Mekong Grill
201-445-0011

LaPiazza Bistro Italiano
201-447-5111

Latour, French-American (Lunch only)
201-445-5056

Lisa's Turkish Kitchen
201-251-8686

Park West Tavern
201-445-4500

Sakurhbana
201-447-6525

The Pearl Restaurant
201-857-5100

The Stable Restaurant
201-444-1199

Tre Voci
201-857-3494

Village Geen Restaurant (Lunch only)
201-445-2914

Obama Administration Attacking Religious Freedom

2012-01-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

Obama Administration Attacking Religious Freedom

The Archdiocese of Washington echoes the concerns raised by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in a statement released Friday in response to the Obama Administration’s decision to enact regulations that will force most Catholic employers to provide health care plans covering sterilization procedures and all FDA approved contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs.

Until now, no federal law has required anyone to purchase, sell, sponsor, or be covered by a private health plan that violates his or her conscience. Under the HHS edict, however, virtually all Catholic charitable organizations, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities that want to provide for the needs of their employees and students in a manner consistent with Catholic moral teachings will be placed in the untenable position of having to choose between violating the law and violating their conscience.

Religious liberty is the most cherished and fundamental of American freedoms. As Thomas Jefferson observed in 1809, “No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.”

In a meeting with Cardinal Donald Wuerl and other American bishops on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI addressed recent attacks on religious freedom, calling upon the American Catholic community to realize they are “grave threats to the Church’s public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres.” In response to these threats, Pope Benedict said the Church urges the Catholic laity to have the courage to proclaim “respect for God's gift of life, the protection of human dignity and the promotion of authentic human rights.”

As Cardinal Wuerl has previously stated, “No freedom is more precious and deserving of vigilance than our freedom of conscience.”

This is a direct attack on Catholics and all Christians If we don't protest this latest attack on religious freedom then SHAME ON US!! Get ready to pay. This morning President Obama called New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan to break the news. Secretary of Health and Human Services and pro-abortion Catholic Kathleen Sebelius just announced that the proposed mandate requiring all insurance plans to pay for contraception, sterilization and some abortion drugs is official -- and Catholics cannot escape.

...and the fig-leaf exemption for religious groups will not be modified, apart from allowing some groups an additional year to comply.

Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan responded minutes ago, saying: "In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences."

Beginning August 1, 2012 (less than eight months from today), the insurance premiums we pay, including the insurance premiums paid by Catholics for employees of churches and schools -- will be used to cover drugs and procedures that are in direct conflict with the teachings of our Church.

That's right. Our government will now force us to pay for insurance coverage for birth control, sterilization and even some abortion drugs.

President Obama ignored the organized efforts of Catholics across the country, including bold statements from the Bishops, university presidents (including Notre Dame's Rev. Jenkins), and even his Catholic allies like Sr. Carol Keehan. Instead, President Obama stood with his real friends -- Planned Parenthood.

Make no mistake, this decision is a direct attack on you, our Church, and the religious liberty of all Americans. Just yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the bishops from the United States who were completing their "Ad Limina" visit in Rome. The Holy Father specifically cited the "grave threats" to the freedom of the Church in America, and urged the Catholic community to respond, especially with "an engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity."

He's talking to you and me. The Holy Father's brief address is a must read (link below). Finally, today marks exactly one year from Inauguration Day. In exactly 12 months, America will welcome a new president, or usher in four more years of Barack Obama and his assault on our liberties. This irony is not lost on us.

We built CatholicVote into a movement to advance the cause of life, family, and freedom. Today's decision is an assault on all three. And it MUST be defeated. You have our pledge that we will do everything possible to educate and mobilize the Catholic vote in 2012. For on a day such as this, we realize that elections indeed have consequences.

The Catholic vote must rise up like never before.

Sincerely,

Brian Burch, President
CatholicVote.org

Ridgewood Real estate Statistics

2012-01-23T09:00:00.002-05:00

Ridgewood Real estate Statistics

Ridgewood 1/15/2012 1/15/2011
Number Active 83 93
Under Contract 28 N/A
Inventory 4.1 4.2
Sold (previous 12) 241 268
Average Selling Price $754,638 $802,636
Median Selling Price $655,000 $705,000
Ratio( sales/list price) 94 94
Days on Market 61 58

Michael Shetler

Keller Williams

201.445.4300 office

201.421.0506 cell

http://BuyingInBergen.com

BOE : for it before they were against it

2012-01-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

BOE : for it before they were against it

According to a Letter to the Editor written by Bob Hutton and published in The Record on January 14th, the BOE voted in November of 2011 not to move the election. Why the flip flop?

**********

Regarding "Losing a say" (Opinion, Page O-1, Jan. 8):

I agree. As a member of the Ridgewood Board of Education, I introduced a resolution at our last meeting clearly opposing moving school board elections from its traditional date in the spring to November. Incorporating school board elections into the general election in November is not a prudent change. The resolution passed.

I have always wondered why school board elections are treated differently from general elections. Annually, a board oversees the creation of a budget, passes a budget resolution and then starts a road show throughout the community to seek support for the budget. What other governing body is charged with that responsibility? None, in New Jersey. Why?

Should not all the elements that make up the property taxes of a municipality be determined by a vote of its electorate? Should not the voting public have a say on all bonding matters that affect their property taxes?

Where is the outcry that public education — a cornerstone of our democracy — is treated differently at every turn? One could look at eliminating the public vote on the school budget as leveling the playing field that our other municipal brethren have enjoyed for years. I don’t know if that is right, but I am one who would like consistency.

Bob Hutton

Ridgewood, Jan. 8

Keeping track of pills, pharmacies flag abuse of pain prescriptions

2012-01-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

Keeping track of pills, pharmacies flag abuse of pain prescriptions

Efforts to track abuse of pain killers have stepped up in New Jersey, where pharmacies are now helping flag illegal use of pills. By entering the narcotics into a statewide database, pharmacists have expanded their role in the war on prescription drugs.

The database for narcotics like the pain reliever OxyContin is routinely monitored by physicians, pharmacists, and law enforcers to help identify drug abusers who manipulate the medical system to obtain pills for their own addictions or to sell in the lucrative street drug trade that rivals heroin and cocaine. (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0119/0106/

Proponents push for pot program to begin

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Proponents push for pot program to begin

Princeton resident Vanessa Waltz thought the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act would be flourishing by now.

The law allows for New Jersey residents suffering from cancer, AIDS, Crohn’s disease and other serious conditions to obtain and use therapeutic cannabis with a doctor‘s prescription.

But two years after Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed the medical pot act into law, the program remains inactive. (Jordan, Gannett)

http://www.app.com/article/20120118/NJNEWS1002/301180110/Proponents-push-pot-program-begin

N.J. congressman calls for investigation of Live Nation’s secret deals with Meadowlands

2012-01-23T05:00:00.001-05:00

N.J. congressman calls for investigation of Live Nation’s secret deals with Meadowlands

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Wednesday called for a federal investigation into reports the nation's largest concert promoter was secretly paid more than $2.9 million to book acts into the Meadowlands.

Pascrell (D-8th Dist.), a longtime critic of Live Nation — which negotiated the so-called incentive agreement — said the company has too much control of the market. (Sherman and McGlone)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/us_rep_pascrell_calls_for_inve.html

Overhaul of legal advertising rules dropped

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-05:00

Overhaul of legal advertising rules dropped

Leaders from both parties in the state Legislature said Wednesday they are dropping plans to overhaul legal advertising requirements for governments, an initiative panned by good-government advocates and newspaper executives.

The proposal would have allowed governments to skip buying legal ads in papers as long as they self-published budgets, bids for services and other public records on the Internet. (Jordan, Gannett)

http://www.app.com/article/20120119/NJNEWS1002/301190013/Overhaul-legal-advertising-rules-dropped

Pot-based prescription drug looks for FDA OK

2012-01-22T21:10:00.001-05:00

Pot-based prescription drug looks for FDA OK
Jan 22 04:35 PM US/Eastern
By LISA LEFF
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A quarter-century after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first prescription drugs based on the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, additional medicines derived from or inspired by the cannabis plant itself could soon be making their way to pharmacy shelves, according to drug companies, small biotech firms and university scientists.

A British company, GW Pharma, is in advanced clinical trials for the world's first pharmaceutical developed from raw marijuana instead of synthetic equivalents_ a mouth spray it hopes to market in the U.S. as a treatment for cancer pain. And it hopes to see FDA approval by the end of 2013.

Sativex contains marijuana's two best known components—delta 9-THC and cannabidiol—and already has been approved in Canada, New Zealand and eight European countries for a different usage, relieving muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9SE82EO0&show_article=1

Americans Must Change America Back to America if We Hope to have a Future

2012-01-22T16:59:00.003-05:00

Americans Must Change America Back to America if We Hope to have a Future
January 22, 2012lisarichardsusa

Barack Obama promised to “fundamentally change the face of the nation,” and he did. Now Americans are faced with the task of changing America back to America.

Obama’s messianic promise of “Hope and Change” insinuated he could do everything from walk on water to resurrecting a dying economy. Obama was the Democrat’s Jesus, their Book of Revelation come to life: Obama was going to ride into America on his left-winged horse and slay the Constitution that continues holding black Americans in bondage without civil rights, destroy big corporations and the wealthy, which have always been supported by the poor, and provide poor Americans with Utopian entitlements.

“Hope and Change” was a designed to foster racial divisions and class warfare and the plan has worked. Obama has brought the Democrats much-need “two Americas” to fruition.

http://lisarichardsusa.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/americans-must-change-america-back-to-america-if-we-hope-to-have-a-future/

Advertising spending online expected to surpass print this year

2012-01-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

Advertising spending online expected to surpass print this year
January 20, 2012 | 2:04 pm

U.S. online advertising spending is expected to grow 23.3% to $39.5 billion this year, pushing it ahead of total advertising spending in print newspapers and magazines, according to an eMarketer report.

Meanwhile, print advertising spending is expected to fall to $33.8 billion in 2012 from $36 billion last year, the market research company said.

"Advertisers' comfort level with integrated marketing is greater than ever, and this is helping more advertisers -- and more large brands -- put a greater share of dollars online," said David Hallerman, eMarketer's principal analyst.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/advertising-spending-online-expected-to-surpass-print-this-year.html

Home Energy Efficiency Program

2012-01-22T11:00:00.001-05:00

Home Energy Efficiency Program
Sponsored by REAC at Library Thursday, February 2 at 7:30PM

Home Energy Efficiency is a hot topic these days. Energy costs are higher than ever, eating up an ever-increasing percentage of household income. There seems to no end in sight. In addition, the associated pollution and carbon emissions are damaging the environment. The creation of electricity, solar panels, dependency on foreign oil, coal-fired plants, natural gas drilling, and nuclear plants are all topics that people are discussing currently. Which ones are safest, and will not pollute the water we drink or the air we breathe? In Washington DC, this battle is often won by the companies with the deepest pockets, which does not usually coincide with protecting our water, air, or even our pocketbooks! The one area that everyone agrees upon is that increasing the efficiency of how energy is used is the greatest opportunity for this nation. Our homes and the vehicles we drive are the two areas in which efficiency improvements can make the greatest strides towards this common goal.

New Jersey's Clean Energy Program has stepped up to help NJ residents improve their home energy efficiency and reduce their energy costs. By encouraging home energy audits with certified partners, this helps to ensure that improvements are made with an eye out for health and safety issues that are normally overlooked when homeowners simply install additional insulation. To spread awareness of these programs, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee is sponsoring an event to provide local residents with information on how they can get up to $5000 along with 0% interest loans up to $10,000 to help offset the costs of these energy efficiency improvements. The featured speaker is "Eco" Ed Schwartz, Chairperson of Ridgewood's Environmental Advisory Committee, and co-founder of Green Living Solutions (Century Award winner within the Clean Energy Program). He will be speaking about energy use, energy savings approaches, along with how to make the dollars you spend on utilities go further. He will also explain how to take advantage of the significant subsidies that are currently available to New Jersey homeowners. Come and find out how to reduce your costs and do your part to improve the environment! Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium - February 2, 2012, 7:30pm

Obama’s “Forced” Keystone Decision Rejects Jobs, Energy, and Logic

2012-01-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

Obama’s “Forced” Keystone Decision Rejects Jobs, Energy, and Logic
Nicolas LorisJanuary 18, 2012 at 4:36 pm

President Obama’s politically intoned decision to reject TransCanada’s permit application to construct a 1,700-mile pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to Texas refineries sent a clear message that special interest demands are of more importance than more energy and much-needed job creation.
Building the pipeline would bring over 700,000 barrels of oil per day and directly create 20,000 truly shovel-ready jobs. The Canadian Energy Research Institute estimates that current pipeline operations and the addition of the Keystone XL pipeline would create 179,000 American jobs by 2035.

Since TransCanada and Nebraska politicians have agreed to reroute the pipeline, the focus should now be on completing the reroute design and beginning construction. Congress should recognize the findings in the State Department’s “Final Environmental Impact Statement” and authorize the application submitted by TransCanada in September 2008.

Given the need for jobs and more oil on the global market to offset high prices, the permit application had been moving along positively with bipartisan support without much attention until environmental activists made blocking the Keystone XL pipeline their issue to rally around for 2011. Although President Obama and the Department of State (DOS) said they’d make a decision at the end of 2011, they ultimately catered to a narrow set of special interests, punting the decision until after the 2012 elections.

http://blog.heritage.org/2012/01/18/obama%E2%80%99s-forced-keystone-decision-rejects-jobs-energy-and-logic/

Agenda 21 a threat to property rights

2012-01-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Devolve Transportation Spending to States

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Devolve Transportation Spending to States
By Daniel Horowitz
Jan 19, 2012 Issues: Constitution

One of the numerous legislative deadlines that Congress will be forced to confront this session is the expiration of the 8th short-term extension of the 2005 surface transportation authorization law (SAFETEA-LU). With federal transportation spending growing beyond its revenue source, an imbalance between donor and recipient states, inefficient and superfluous construction projects popping up all over the country, and burdensome mass transit mandates on states, it is time to inject some federalism into transportation spending.

Throughout the presidential campaign, many of the candidates have expressed broad views of state’s rights, while decrying the expansion of the federal government. In doing so, some of the candidates have expressed the conviction that states have the right to implement tyranny or pick winners and losers, as long as the federal government stays out of it. Romneycare and state subsidies for green energy are good examples. The reality is that states don’t have rights; they certainly don’t have the power to impose tyranny on citizens by forcing them to buy health insurance or regulating the water in their toilet bowels – to name a few. They do, however, reserve powers under our federalist system of governance to implement legitimate functions of government. A quintessential example of such a legitimate power is control over transportation and infrastructure spending.

The Highway Trust Fund was established in 1956 to fund the Interstate Highway System (IHS). The fund, which is administered by the DOT’s Federal Highway Administration, has been purveyed by the federal gasoline tax, which now stands at 18.4 cents per gallon (24.4 for diesel fuel). Beginning in 1983, Congress began siphoning off some of the gas tax revenue for the great liberal sacred cow; the urban mass transit system. Today, mass transit receives $10.2 billion in annual appropriations, accounting for a whopping 20% of transportation spending. Additionally, the DOT mandates that states use as much as 10% of their funding for all sorts of local pork projects, such as bike paths and roadside flowers.

As a result of the inefficiencies and wasteful mandates of our top-down approach to transportation spending, trust fund outlays have exceeded its revenue source by an average of $12 billion per year, even though the IHS – the catalyst for the gasoline tax – has been completed for 20 years. In 2008, the phantom trust fund was bailed out with $35 billion in general revenue, and has been running a deficit for the past few years. Congress has not passed a 6-year reauthorization bill since 2005, relying on a slew of short-term extensions, the last of which is scheduled to expire on March 31.

http://garrett.house.gov/devolve-transportation-spending-states

The Prisoner : 'Free For All'

2012-01-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Remember to clean your sidewalks

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Remember to clean your sidewalks
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

(RIDGEWOOD-NJ) A simple reminder that Ridgewood residents could face fines if they fail to shovel their sidewalks. The light powdery snow should have been no problem to shovel .

The Ridgewood blog will now publish photos of neighbors who fail to clean their walkways and Chief Ward will be sent a list of reported offenders . This also goes for businesses ,churches and state as well as municipal property .