Ridgewood July 21, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Village staff down by 31 after layoffs, retirements by John Koster Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert told the Ridgewood Council that 31 municipal employees had been laid off, retired, or otherwise terminated during the present economic crunch. He added that an undisclosed number of other layoffs could be expected before the end of the month. “It’s certainly difficult times for the Village of Ridgewood, for the management, and for the employees,” Mayor Keith Killion said at the council’s first public meeting after the July 1 reorganization. Gabbert broke the numbers down to 18 layoffs, 10 retirements, and three terminations for cause. The disclosed figure came close to the 32 layoffs originally mentioned for the first round of Ridgewood staff reduction due to budget constraints and reductions in state aid without reductions in state-mandated pension and insurance contributions. Last-minute negotiations with the PBA saved the jobs of Ridgewood’s two newest police officers, who had faced dismissal after 18 months of service due to budgetary concerns. The other PBA members opted to take a one-day furlough per month without pay, which enabled the village to retain both policemen. Gabbert said the negotiations with the Civil Service Commission, not yet completed, would determine who and how many employees would be let go later in the month. Two years ago, then-Village Manager James Ten Hoeve had predicted an economic crunch this year and advocated one-day-a-month furloughs for all full-time employees, himself included, as a way to save all or most municipal jobs. That initiative was rejected. The recent wave of layoffs brought out a number of people who argued in attempts to save their jobs, but council members agreed that staff reduction was necessary. Pedestrian hit by vehicle; driver charged The Ridgewood Police Department has charged a motorist with striking a pedestrian with a vehicle. On July 12 at 11:22 a.m., the Ridgewood Police Department responded to calls about a pedestrian who had been struck at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Oak Street. The motorist, a 46-year-old Oakland woman, was turning left from Oak Street onto Franklin Avenue, and made her left turn passing a vehicle that was stopped waiting to turn left onto Oak Street. The Oakland woman’s car struck the pedestrian, who was crossing Franklin Avenue. The victim was taken to Hackensack Medical Center. The driver was charged with failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, improper passing, failure to maintain lane, and careless driving. J. KOSTER ������������������ In Home ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������� PERSONAL TRAINING • Flexible Scheduling • Nutrition Guidance • Sports Specific Training • Men, Women, Children & Couples With Brad Lose 20 lbs in 10 Weeks Insured Degreed & Certified �������������������� For Free Consultation call: TONE UP/LOSE FAT/ FEEL GREAT 201-925-0381 WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR NEW LOCATION! ����� ��������� Summer specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 266 Harristown Rd, Suite 102, Glen Rock GLEN ROCK PLAZA 201.345.5621 LASER & COSMETIC DENTISTRY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY FULL SERVICE DENTAL CARE • Orthodontics • Invisalign (Invisible Braces) • Porcelain Veneers • Implants • Teeth Whitening • Oral Cancer Screening • Periodontal Treatment Mayra Modesto-Garrido D.D.S We Offer Line Of Credits And Financing Plans Free Consultation • We Accept Most Dental Insurance We Offer Oral Sedation