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Past News Stories

The Village has spoken!

All three candidates that CRR endorsed were elected. Paul Aronshn, Keith Killion and Anne Zusy. CRR congratulates the successful candidates and looks forward to the results of their leadership within the council.

Resident Urges alternatives to the Valley expansion

The following article appeared in the Ridgewood News May 9, 2008. Valley should consider alternatives.

Summary of Planning Board Meeting May 6, 2008

Please cleck on the following link for a summary of the meeting. May 6 Plan Board Meeting Summary.

CRR circulates a Position Paper on the Valley Issue to Council Candidates

Concerned Residents of Ridgewood have prepared a position paper on the proposed Valley Hospital expansion which they are asking the candidates to respond to. Click here to see the Position Paper

Valley proves that most Ridgewood Residents DO NOT support the “Renewal”

Over the last two weeks, Valley once again dipped into its considerable “war chest” and sent out glossy “sign-up cards” to Ridgewood residents. The tri-fold cards read, “Have You Expressed Your support for the Valley Renewal – there is still time?”  A large Valley advertisement also appeared in the Ridgewood News on the same theme and was timed by Valley to coincide with the card mailing. Another $20,000+ not spent on healthcare!  

Despite the money spent, Valley says that it only has 1,200 replies. As there are 24,936 residents and 8,802 households in Ridgewood, and a number of the replies were from the same household, this represents only 5% to 10% of residents and households.

Thank you Valley for proving that over 90% of Ridgewood DOES NOT SUPPORT the “Renewal” because these people deliberately decided not send back the card or did not feel strongly enough in favor of the "Renewal" to send back the card.

The Village waits for the Planning Board Professionals Report

The next step in the process is for the Planning Board professionals to report back to the Planning Board about their findings, after studying both the Valley and CRR proposals. It is expected that meeting date for this presentation will be decided at the April 1st meeting of the Planning Board.

Concerned Residents presented to the Planning Board Public Meeting - March 18th, 7:30pm GW Middle School

The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood present their response to Valley Hospital's presentation that was delivered on Mar 10th. CRR used the opportunity to explain why the board should adopt the CRR Master Plan and Ordinance changes. The meeting was well attended and the CRR was enthusiastically received by the audience.

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Sign Ordinance defeated

The proposed sign ordinance that would have limited election signs and "signs of public interest" was defeated at Council. According to the Ridgewood Times, this ordinance was originally targeted at the STOPVALLEY Expansion signs.

Valley sends out more appeals to residents

Valley sent out more letters from Audrey Meyers to thousands of people throughout NJ and beyond, asking them to sign and return an enclosed card of support for the "Renewal". This is a campaign by the hospital to by-pass the public hearing procedures.

Valley continues to publicly ignore Residents concerns - Feb 10, 2008

In a statement in the Record Feb 10, Gail Callandrillo, the Valley’s vice president of planning is quoted as saying: "There is no 'Plan B.’ … The goal for the coming year is village approval".  In the same article it states that only Valley and Hackensack are thriving in the face of the recent hospital closings and that Valley and Englewood are bidding for Pascack Valley which will be auctioned on March 4th.

Sign Ordinance to be debated on Wednesday as the Council meeting - Feb 10, 2008

It is expected that the proposed sign Ordinance #3091 will be debated at the Council Meeting on Wednesday 13th. Those who have looked at it all agree that it would be unconstitutional to apply it to the STOP THE VALLEY EXPANSION signs as its enforcement would not holdup if challenged in court.

Escrow paid for the Concerned Residents Application to alter the Master Plan to protect Village - Feb 10, 2008

The required escrow for the Concerned Residents formal application to the Village Council and Planning Board was lodged last week. The Planning Board have not yet set a date for reviewing the proposal. Valley is in the process of making a formal submission of their own.

Valley Desperate to find support (yet not willing to compromise) - Feb 10, 2008

Last week Valley sent out emails to people on its lists of patients and Doctors. The text read in part, “…over the next few days we will be mailing Renewal Support Cards to every household in Ridgewood. …additional card is also enclosed for a spouse, friend or neighbor… your peers, patients, neighbors and friends… “.  CRR reminds its members to dispose of any junk mail you receive responsibly.

60 more affordable Housing Units needed if Valley gets “Renewal” approved - Feb 10, 2008

If the Valley "Renewal" is approved it would require Ridgewood to build 60 more units of affordable housing!  Where would this go? "I haven't got the foggiest idea" says Chris Rutishauser (Village Planning Board Engineer). - Jan 25 Ridgewood News