Ridgewood December 14, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Council hears from new community organization by John Koster Delegates from “Citizens for a Better Ridgewood,” a new civic group, introduced themselves and their organization to the Ridgewood Village Council at the Dec. 7 public meeting with a statement of purpose and some criticism of the present council and administration. “The CBR was formed as a direct result of the increasing and widespread level of concern and dissatisfaction among Ridgewood residents with the manner in which the village is being governed and maintained,” said Craig Hueneke, a 10-year resident and the official spokesman for the group. Supported by a half-dozen other speakers, including retired Ridgewood Fire Chief James Bombace, Hueneke focused on four principal concerns he said the group members shared. Hueneke said Ridgewood officials should make responsible and financially sound decisions in the current economic climate. Other members – about 20 members turned out at the work session – specifically cited the 12 percent salary increase of Ridgewood Village Manager Kenneth Gabbert, and the (potential) four percent salary increases for department heads not covered by union membership in times when many people in the private sector have experienced job losses or income reduction, and when Ridgewood property values have reportedly decreased by 22 percent. Council members had split over the manager’s salary increase. Councilman Paul Aronsohn, with considerable support from the audience, had opposed the increase. The other four members supported the raise, citing funds that Gabbert had located and brought into Ridgewood from outside sources. The four percent merit increase to department heads had been defended because the potential increases were based on merit – seen as a progressive stance and one widely opposed by public-sector unions. Hueneke also said “the recent and marked drop in the quality of services provided by our village government…is a matter that directly impacts not only the quality of life, but most importantly the safety of the village residents.” He asked that this situation be corrected. He added that Ridgewood’s administration should facilitate “the goal of fostering a prosperous downtown business district that will attract new business owners to our village, rather than being known in the commercial real estate market as the village that takes several months for permit approvals and unwarranted ordinances that places financial burdens on small businesses.” The spokesman further stated, “Our village government and its managing administrators (should) address the needs of our village with levels of accountability that is unyield- ing.” Former Fire Chief Bombace, speaking as part of the group, pointed out an instance in which he said no proper notification of contracts signed with public employees in Ridgewood had been reported to the state. “We’re not in compliance,” Bombace said. “If things aren’t properly taken care of, we stand to have a problem with regulatory agencies.” Bombace was told that he would receive an answer from the manager or from Mayor Keith Killion after the matter was examined. Ed Feldsott, another member of CBR, noted that Ridgewood streets were still being cleared of leaves and branches, while Ho-Ho-Kus and Allendale had long since been cleared. “Upper Saddle River, where our village manager is (continued on page 27) Artisan Sale (continued from page 6) seven students graduated from high school, a remarkable achievement in a community with less than a one percent graduation rate. These young men and women would not have been able to graduate without LHI’s support. LHI runs community programs in Chajul that focus on education, community development, and women’s empowerment. The organization operates a scholarship program for over 75 scholarship students with built-in support services including tutoring, computer classes, a study center with computer lab and library, access to a work study program, guidance counseling, activities, and field trips. LHI also runs an artisan program to develop local handicrafts for outside markets and coordinates sustainable tourism opportunities and community workshops on topics like organic agriculture. In 2010, LHI opened Chajul’s first public library to serve the county’s population of 50,000 people; resources like Story Hour and homework help have been hugely popular, and within just a year and a half of opening the demand outgrew the original space so much that it was moved to a new location five times the size. After graduating from Brown University in 2009 with a degree in public policy, Wong worked in Chajul as LHI’s International Coordinator from September 2009 through November 2010. Since then, she has been an active member of the organization’s board of directors, fundraising and strategic planning for the organization’s long-term sustainability. For the third year in a row, she is excited to be able to share her experience working in Chajul and to be hosting this sale, which will raise essential funds for LHI’s work to increase sustainability over the next several years. “Year after year, LHI’s efforts make it possible for students to overcome the many challenges they face and allow them to attend and succeed in school. It’s incredibly gratifying to see how much of a difference a just one small organization can make,” Wong said. For more information about Limitless Horizons Ixil or the sale, visit www.limitlesshorizonsixil.org or contact Courtney Wong (courtneyrebeccalhi@gmail.com or call (551) 206-2089. Those who unable to attend the sale, but are interested in the products may contact Courtney to view the items at another time.