It is a fact Keith, Walsh and Riche would still control the decision making process if Keith and only one new member and Paul are elected, so yes it would be business, and raising taxes, as usual. Paul is right, we need two new faces and Paul to have any chance for change in the way the Village is run. Keith is a nice guy and I am sure he did his best but his support for Gabberts raise and the Police Union make him unsuited to continue to serve the Residents.

What is a "riff?" Do you mean "rift?"

Aronsohn is a bully, a fact that was in evidence last night. Is this the kind of person who should be in local government? Is this the kind of behavior we should tolerate in our village?

Look at Mr. McKenna squirm through an explanation!! He knew all along Mr. Aronsohn supported Mrs. Hauck and Mr. Pucciarelli. Paul wasn't hiding anything. Quite the opposite!

The person at risk of being wronged here is Mr. Aronsohn. All he did was say the same thing in public that he said to the CRR leadership in private. The fact that Mr. McKenna is throwing him under the bus tells us more about Mr. McKenna and the CRR than Mr. Aronsohn.

Mr. McKenna is probably just worried that he wasn't open enough with his membership about the decision that got made. Now the people that made that decision need to face their neighbors and explain. Somehow.

When Mr Aronsohn threw the 2 CRR-endorsed candidates under the bus, he threw his own CRR endorsement under it as well.

I think Aronsohn has done a disservice to himself by using the debate forum to expose himself as a bully. He really came off very bad and it was an inappropriate forum to behave so bullyish. While the 12% raise was poor timing, Aronsohn is attempting to use the raise to advance his own agenda. He simply wants to be mayor, nothing more nothing less. His was the ultimate self serving act to advance hiss own political standing.
If both Killion and Aronsohn prevail, Aronsohn will not have the votes to become mayor. Aronsohns disingenuous altruism should be exposed for what it is. He is not interested in Ridgewood but rather his own personal, self-serving agenda. Aronsohn has repeatedly said "do the math" regarding the h-zone ordinance if Hauck and puch were elected it would still be three opposed. In fact the real math Aronsohn is not discussing is how many votes for mayor he would get. That is the math he is hiding from everyone.

What should raise eyebrows here is his affiliation with two pro-valley expansion supporters just to be mayor. It seems Aronsohn will sell out his suppporters to stroke himself. That is scary.
What makes him anyone should want to do anything for him? He has been devisive in town and has misled his supporters.

The so called drop in the bucket raise IS one of the problems in the village, the manager was not deserving of a raise in hard economic times while laying off thirty some employees.

Paul is looking the kind of change that is sorely needed.
His endorsement of others will carry some weight but, I listened to the vague one minute answers of all the candidates on Graydon's future for improved memberships of a community recreational Utility. The Preserved Graydon group has muddied up the waters so much to achieve a "status quo" that they effectively denied professional design advice and alternate design planning. Their use of words like 'no concrete' to inflame the general public.
Please (new Council) explore alternative and acceptable all purpose designs that would inspire potential Community investors to take part its monetary support.

Paul didn't sound like a bully -- he was the only one who sounded coherent and spoke with the force of his convictions. Most of the others were so vague and mumbled their incoherent answers, it was clear they were afraid of saying the wrong thing or alienating this or that group of voters. The CRR has created such a fear among anyone who might serve...they really are damaging this village and the effects will be felt for decades. But back to Paul, he has clear positions and they make sense. I also thought Puciarelli did a good job, too. I was surprised at how weak Killion sounded.

I live on the East side and my kids will be at BF someday. It must have been exciting in the room last night with the ending fireworks!!! I did not get a chance to see it. Regardless of what happened last night based on what I am reading this morning the people that care about keeping Valley as it is would be crazy not to support Paul (and Keith and Jane). I read all this mean innuendo about what he might do and I just look at what he has actually done for us. He has been 100% with us 100% of the time. There has been no stronger voice for what we want.

Paul may be a politician, but i believe the rest are trying to be the same.

You are right about several things Ridgewood taxpayer and I have to agree with the Ridgewood blog about Gwen's desire to urbanize Ridgewood. Ridgewood doesn't have the infrastructure to handle 3 developments. The speakers didn't include the fact, besides schools, what about utility usage? And really, do they think we could get 3 developers who wanted to have residences for 50 and over, or I think it was Gwen, I could be wrong, who said over 65, residents. The idea makes sense, only because of many residents who want to downsize, and stay here, and not have to worry about maintaining their homes. However, 3 would still be too much! And Aronsohn also mentioned his wife, as if that made him a better candidate! And Al mentioned his dead wife twice and her picture is on the brochures. What does that say about these candidates when they have to use their living and dead wives to get votes! And Gwen was the only candidate who read strictly from notes! That doesn't bode well for her. And as far as Jane, she told me that she felt she didn't come across well, but I think it showed that she wasn't a politician and wasn't polished. And lastly, my favorite is when Al, Gwen, and Forenza talked about negoitations. What do they think CRR has been doing for 6 years? The only time that they were interested in compromising was when they knew they were losing! And Killion is right, the Council doesn't have the time to be a mediator between CRR and Valley to get a compromise.

MaroonMom you are incorrect. I was actually in the room and he was the only one who was rude and cut off Mary Jane. Unless you were in the room, which I was happy I attended the meeting, you really can't get the feel for his behavior. Mary Jane actually apologized and backed down in order not to start a nasty fight. His behavior was immature and unprofessional.

Relgado, at least I don't hit below the belt. I tell it as I see it. And you are insulting and immature spreading rumors about things you know nothing about! I am not a crank but a person who is sick of bullies like Valley Hospital, using money and clout to get what they want. You are lucky there are people like myself who care enough to fight for people like yourself who are ungrateful, secretive, unlike myself who is open about my identity when I post, or write letters or speak! You are like the people who love to complain, spread misinformation and don't do anything positive for your fellow residents of Ridgewood. At least I care enough for residents who don't know enough or care to fight for themselves.

I am Keith Killion's campaign manager. I support Keith Killion for his honesty, integrity, and his genuine concern for the people of Ridgewood. His position on Valley Hopsital is clear as is his stance on preserving Graydon. Not so for Mr. Aronsohn: He has aligned himself with two Valley Hospital supporters. For Valley supporters, he is the "open door" to help Valley get what it wants. Mr. Pucciarelli said that one or two Council members should sit down with Valley officials and discuss Valley's future. We should all be concerned about those tactics(hopefully that "mediation" would be at a public session and not behind closed doors). I have a high regard for Gwenn Hauck as a person(she is a former student of mine and as such I refrain from making critical comments). A vote for Aronsohn and his proteges, though, is a vote for the Valley Flip-Flop.
Next, we should be concerned about Mr. Aronsohn's conduct as demonstrated by Aronsohn's aggressive outburst directed at Ms. Shinozuka. That was a raw political smackdown. If that's Mr. Aronsohn's " new normal", we don't need that in Ridgewood. While that conduct did not rise to bullying in appeared to rise to "smackdown". I think a public apology is in order

Ron Verdicchio as Killian campaign manager? Who are next Riche and Walsh? Now that explains everything. It took quite awhile to join this forum?

Aronsohn is the only sane one on the council. We need more people like him who are going to stand up to the mayor's salary spike and other poor planning.

It's too late Ron, the potential thought of Riche as Mayor will really freeze up any progress in Village politics. That must be avoided if at all possible. He was part of that new Village Hall building a few years back.

How I see this move: Aronsohn is a politician first, everyone knows that. I did not see the debate, but to be mayor he needs to endorse Hauck and Pucciarelli. If Keith and Jane are elected with him, I believe Keith will remain Mayor. IF he endorses Hauck and Pucciarelli and they win he has a good shot at Mayor.

Sorry you missed the show? Want to see it again? Thanks to the miracle of electronics, the event remains available online.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/village-of-ridgewood-public-access

As is often the case, a technician seems to have turned on the camera a little late (viz. "...ly Ballou" on the old Bob & Ray radio shows).

To watch previous Council meetings online when you can't sleep at night, click on the ustream logo (a letter "U") in the far upper right corner of the Village website, www.ridgewoodnj.net.

Aronsohn will only speak up if it gets him publicity and makes him look good.

Science has shown us that people see what they want to see and hear what they want to heard. The debate in this series of exchanges clearly shows that. But some facts: since when is giving someone a 12% pay raise while laying off staff OK? Our current council did that. 4 votes for and Paul voting against. On Valley they all voted against and I think push come to shove all but one of the people running for council would do the same the next time if the issue were the same. Paul says we need a dialog with Valley. And we do. We all want a more modern Valley and there has got to be a way to get that without also getting a gigantic Valley. Then there is Graydon. Paul wants it more accesible to the disabled. Who would disagree? I am still trying to figure out where the monster concrete slap idea came fro but the point is we need to make Graydon more accessible. And we also need to get more members. And then the ultimate slam: "Paul is a politician." Yes, that has become a negative term but it really shouldn't be because a real politician practices the "art of the possible." Isn't that what want. There are many issues facing this Village. We are at a turning point. Isn't that a time to vote more than one issue. Isn't it a time to vote for some who stands up for the Village and its taxpayers? (And Paul even followed the rules in Monday night's discussion unlike one of the other candidates who had to eventually apologize.)

I apologize Frank R. about being mistaken who Jane was apologizing to, however, Aronsohn was the only disrespectful candidate on the dais last night. And if he can't be civil at this point, he shouldn't be running for the Council, because anger only begets anger and bad feelings. And that prevents proper discourse and action.

Relgado thanks for proving me right in your belittilng comments. This is why some of the best people don't run for anything in this town without major concerns. Having to put up with negativity from people who should put up or shut up. If you don't like the way things, then do something about it instead of whining like a child. It's much harder to publicly stand up for your ideas then to hide behind hurtful words.

To Jeanette: 6 years ago Valley felt like they were masters of the universe or at least of our village. Now not so much.

Now the care. Talk is good.

BTW, Al said he will never take part in a Valley vote. Quid. No Pro.

Dan Johnson "Science has shown us that people see what they want to see and hear what they want to heard. The debate in this series of exchanges clearly shows that. But some facts: since when is giving someone a 12% pay raise while laying off staff OK?" What about the fact Aronsohn supplements his income at the expense of the Ridgewood taxpayers? By taking taxpayer funded health benefits and refusing those from his employer he is likely taking home the difference in salary. Since Aronsohn refused to acknowledge those benefits until very recently, he is a kind of the pot calling the kettle black.

ALso, Al said he would not take part in a Valley vote but did state he would use his personal time to get the Valley thing moving. I think Al would be working behind the scenes to get the whole thing back on track.

As for you Dan you see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear. BTW you are a little bit of a hypocrite.

Republican Politican Pucciarelli just has Mitt Romney at his law office, so much for the nonpartisan seeping into Ridgewood, we dont need the festering Bergen Republican and double dipper Bergen Republicans and those like Pucciarelli who want to support changing the blue laws and financing the Meadowlands American Dream.

Mr Aronsohn by his intemperate behavior demonstrates he is not right for Ridgewood. We're looking for citizen executives and representatives, not career politicians. Ridgewood is no place for bullies, nor for dirty nasty partisan politics.

Ok, I was there the other night too and I did not see Aronsohn as a bully. He called someone out on not having a position on a very contentious issue, that's all. I thought that was fair.
What was disappointing to me as a woman was how unforceful, and almost unprepared both women came across that night. For the first few questions neither jumped in during the extra time to debate or enforce their views. There was reading from notes, which almost to me shows a lack of passion on an issue, and there was stumbling and backtracking. I wanted them to be better.
No one has mentioned Forenza in all this back and forth, though perhaps he is the only one w/some of the true business sense we need while looking at our budgetary issues. Can somone tell me more about him please?

Forenza is being indicted (not sure if that is the correct word) for taking overtime pay during Hurricane Irene along with 7 other Paterson officials when there jobs do not allow for overtime pay. I wish we knew what was happening with that case. James, any clue?

I do agree that Hauck was very unprepared. However, Shinozuka seemed more of a nervousness.Your defense of Aronsohn is misguided based on "not having a position on a very contentious issue". Shinazuka clearly stated she didn't have the background information pertaining to confidential employment issues, but on its face she would probably not supported the raise, then she said she would say no based on its face. She was reasonably cautious which I appreciated. Seems to me the only two that could have had the detailed facts would have been Aronsohn and Killion. ONLY those two could speak to the events that were considered when deciding on the gabbert raise. Aronsohn was very aggressive and bullyish towards Shinozuka. How come he didn't attack Hauck when she said "drill baby drill" or, after visiting mars she asked "can you repeat the question?" Quite frankly, after Hauck's performance I find it funny and sad that Aronsohn would support her.
I was an Aronsohn supporter but find his extreme narcissism to divisive for this village.

Jeanette,

I ask that you not disrespect my "dead mom" in a public forum. My mom passed away in November from brain cancer. What my family and I went through I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Yes, my dad is honoring her by running for Council. Her passing has become a part of who he is today. Your comment "Puciarelli brought up his dead wife twice and she's on his brochures" is simply naive. You're the second person to bring my mother up in a disrespectful way. What is wrong with you people?

Thanks,
Caroline Bloss (Pucciarelli)

Caroline Bloss,

Well stated. I have been shocked at some of the statements that have been made here but the most offensive are the ones are about your mom.

Relgado Gwen Hauck is not the only one who was on Mars. Your apology makes no sense, because you are the pot calling the kettle black! Your posts do not show any facts, except slander, unlike mine, when I apologize for something if I misconstrued it. Instead you spew out and out lies! I have been attending meetings for over 6 years. It's obvious from your posts, which I think are from someone who likes to complain, as the one you said about Al P., that you have attended very few. And, in your case, it's impossible to open a closed mind, which yours is. I have examined the facts and only say things I know or believe to be true, because I know a lot of people in this town. And since I can be imperfect, I make mistakes, I, unlike you, own up to them! And one mistake, it's a joke that you talk about fact checking, which I don't think you are capable of. And to accuse me of lying when you are out and out spewing garbage about CRR, which you know nothing about, is a joke! So please stop lying about me and CRR. I am beginning to wonder if you work for Valley Hospital. You are making yourself look like a crackpot, not me.

James, did I miss the Thursday stuff on Russ? Didn't see it...