February 11, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Ridgewood Graydon plan remains under detailed study by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council opted for further, detailed study and a wider sample of opinions on the proposed $13.9 million renovation of Graydon Pool into four separate swimming pools in an effort to rebuild membership. “I must have gotten a thousand e-mails about this,” said Councilwoman Anne Zusy after last week’s meeting. “Not all of the people who had concerns were older residents; some of them were in their 30s or 40s and made an excellent case for themselves.” Zusy said her own feeling and the council’s consensus at last week’s work session was that it was too early to move ahead on the controversial plan as proposed, and that more evaluation was needed. “I take my responsibility as one of the five people who has to vote on this very seriously,” she said. Zusy, Deputy Mayor Keith Killion, and Mayor David Pfund had all voiced concerns about tackling a project of this magnitude in the present economic climate, and Councilman Patrick Mancuso said he preferred the original single Graydon Pool, a lake-like body of water he considers emblematic of Ridgewood. Most people who attended the meeting when the plans were outlined concurred that the water quality problem at Graydon is a serious concern, but the public appeared evenly divided between those who liked the plan and those who did not, with a third faction admitting that something had to be done, but that the plan as presented was too big, too commercial-looking, and too expensive. Plans, as drawn up by the members of a volunteer committee, call for four separate pools: a toddler pool near the bathroom and food stand; a 16,000 square-foot pool with zero entry (that is, a gradual sloping bottom into the water with no sheer sides); a dedicated diving pool; and a nonOlympic-sized 25-yard pool with eight lanes. Committee members received applause and strong sup- High School embarks on global project port as they said they already had almost 5,000 pledges to join if the complex were completed as drawn up, but many other residents found the concept unaesthetic and questioned the wisdom of taking on such a large project at this time. As part of Ridgewood High School’s participation in the Global Learning Classroom Partnership, some students are working on the Global Ambition Project. Ms. Magaley Olivares and her Advanced Placement Spanish students (left) have partnered with students in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand and Cape Town, South Africa to share learning based on three themes. The themes are Diversity, Culture and the Future. Each school identified a community service project which is part of the program. Some schools will conduct a project on the international level and will do a local project. But STILL can’t lose that Tummy or Cellulite? Call me about VelaShapeTM A NEW Nonsurgical method of Fat reduction and body contouring • Non-invasive • No Anesthesia • No Downtime Beverly Dunn, MD Waldwick, NJ • 201-445-0032 Dieting? Working Out? ® �������� ��������� ����������� ������������ ���������� ����� ������������� ����������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������� �������������� �������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ����������������������������������� 5:00-5:30 FREE Ballroom Dance Lesson 5:30- 7:30 Dance and Refreshments Singles & Couples Welcome Open to all Members & Non-Members $15/person $25/Couple Register before February 14th & receive our Valentine’s Day 20% discount coupon for a pre-orpost dinner at one of the following participating Ridgewood restaurants: Smith Brothers, 51 North Broad St. The Office, 32-34 Chestnut St. Winberies, 30 Oak St. To register contact Carol Livingstone at ext 330 or clivingstone@ridgewoodym.org Saturday, February 14th Valentine’s Dance Social Ridgewood YMCA �������� ����������� ������������� ������������ ��������� ���������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������������� � ���������������������� ������������������������������������ ���������������������� ��������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ������� ���������� ����������� ����������� ���������� ����������� ������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������� ������������������������������������� �������������������������� 112 Oak Street • 201-444-5600 www.ridgewoodymca.org Membership is open to all. For individuals and families in need, contact John Duke ext 337 for confidential assistance information and application. Ridgewood YMCA ������������