Ridgewood September 1, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 5 Bolger: Gifts to conclude after present committment by John Koster Ridgewood philanthropist David Bolger has notified officials in his hometown that the $3,500 security system for the Ridgewood Public Library is the last money they can expect from the most prolific public benefactor in Ridgewood’s history. Bolger was offended by the renewed objections to some routine refurbishments to the columns and a staircase at Ridgewood Village Hall and the Ridgewood Library when these were approved, after some concerned discussion, at a recent public meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council. His offer to donate an eagle to Van Neste Park was put on hold. “As the president of the Bolger Foundation, I hereby notify the Village of Ridgewood that, under the existing rules and regulations and other than the outstanding commitments to The Ridgewood Public Library to fund the extension of the security system at a cost of about $3,500, the Bolger Foundation will no longer make any gifts to the Village of Ridgewood or any organization which is connected to the village including, but not limited to, the Ridgewood Police Department and the Ridgewood Fire Department, which have also been major beneficiaries of the Bolger Foundation’s giving in the past,” Bolger wrote in a letter to the village. Village Manager Ken Gabbert confirmed receipt of the letter. “The Bolger Foundation has contributed much to what makes the Village of Ridgewood a beautiful community,” Gabbert said. Neither Gabbert nor the Bolger Foundation would release the entire text of the letter because individuals were named in ways which the manager and the foundation deemed inappropriate for public disclosure. The issue of accepting donations arose when the new Ridgewood Village Council members elected two years ago -- Keith Killion, Paul Aronsohn, and Anne Zusy -- carried out a campaign promise. The three new council members introduced and adopted an ordinance that forbade anyone to make significant donations to the Village of Ridgewood while that donor had an application before the Ridgewood Planning Board or Ridgewood Board of Adjustment. Bolger was not mentioned by name, but village officials later denied he had been the target of the ordinance. Bolger had an application to turn an automotive inspection station he owns into a rental storage unit. The application was approved subject to the removal of some potentially toxic soil, but the storage facility has not been opened, according to Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser. (continued on page 16) BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIALS $5.00 OFF ANY SERVICE ANY SERVICE with purchase of $20 of service or more Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 $30.00 OFF Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 LCN SET Reg. $90.00 with purchase of $50 of service or more Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 $10.00 OFF Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 with purchase of Pedicure FREE MANICURE ��������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� FEATURING STATE-OF THE-ART EQUIPMENT 20 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 • 201-670-6807 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am - 7:30pm • Sat. 9am - 6:30pm ������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������� ������������ 8-18-10 kathy/janine CozyNails3x3(8-18-10) 3 x 3” ��������������������������� ����������������������