Ridgewood January 14, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Department has new chief, captain, lieutenant, sergeant by John Koster The Ridgewood Police Department will officially recognize a major change in the upper ranks with the Jan. 14 appointment of four senior offices. Two new patrol officers will also take the oath that day. John Li Puma, who has been serving as acting police chief for several months, will officially be sworn in as the head of the department. A graduate of Ridgewood High School who studied at the John Jay Institute of Criminal Justice, Li Puma has been a Ridgewood police officer for 23 years. He began service as acting chief when Chief William Corcoran accepted a position as security director of Bergen Community College in September, using his unclaimed sick days to assume the position. Chief Corcoran’s official retirement took place Dec. 31, 2008. John Ward will receive the oath of office and official promotion from the rank of lieutenant to captain. A graduate of BA and MA programs in law enforcement from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Ward joined Ridgewood Emergency Services before becoming a police officer 25 years ago. Ward has been active with DARE and with the bike and Explorer Scout programs. Todd Harris will receive his official promotion from the rank of sergeant to lieutenant. A graduate of Ridgewood High School and a 20-year veteran of the Ridgewood Police Department, Harris was active with the emergency medical team before becoming a sworn officer. He has also been active in the Explorer Scout program. Heath James, a graduate of Ridgewood High School and a 12-year veteran of the Ridgewood Police Department, will take the oath marking his promotion to sergeant. Joseph DiBenedetto and Anthony Mormino will take the oath as police officers at the same meeting. Taxi’s fees unchanged for now The Ridgewood Village Council acknowledged the need to consider how the drop in gasoline prices might affect the recent $1 fee increase for Ridgewood Taxi, but took no action at last week’s work session. Ridgewood Taxi owner David Rutler and his attorney, David Rutherford, had argued at several council meetings last summer and autumn that the high price of gasoline, along with insurance costs, was hampering Ridgewood Taxi’s ability to stay in operation. The council negotiated Rutler’s initial request down, but ultimately agreed – at a time when gasoline prices were nearing $4 a gallon – to allow a $1 increase on trips not covered by Ridgewood’s senior citizen discount coupons. Rutler had said this was not what he hoped for, but represented a compromise and an improvement. Council members said at the time that the fee increase, reluctantly approved, would be reconsidered if gasoline prices showed a significant decrease in the future. The need to reevaluate the fuel charge appeared on the agenda of last week’s work session, the first in 2009, but no action was taken at the Jan. 7 meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council. Council members concurred, however, that they would keep an eye on gasoline prices in connection with the fee increase. J. KOSTER Home Improvement Sale 5% Better than your best estimate* Full Service Contractor Additions - Renovations 25 Years in Business Fully Insured • References We’ll Work With You! 201-444-5966 * Written estimates from legitimate competitor OFFER EXPIRES JANUARY 31, 2009. HARDING WINE&SPIRIT incredibly low price of $5.99 It’s a New Year! Time to make y to tr your resolution Liberty Creek wines! for a 1.5 liter bottle. (This is not a misprint!) Available in Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & White Zinfandel. So far to date we have sold almost one thousand bottles of Liberty Creek. It’s amazing when you have a great product, even in tough times people respond. That’s why we are so excited to continue to offer this wonderful Californian wine for the HUGE WINE SELECTION Beer • Super Premium Spirits Party Planning • Gift Baskets Free Parking • Ice • Soda WE DELIVER 305 E. Ridgewood Ave Ridgewood, NJ DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED 201-445-7122 JOHNNY WALKER BLUE 21 Year Old Scotch Cash or Debit Card Only FOR A LIMITED TIME: $18400 750 ml.