Business August 1, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 ASB, West Bergen partner to build supportive housing Through a sponsorship from Atlantic Stewardship Bank, West Bergen Mental Healthcare located in Ridgewood obtained $80,000 in grant funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to help build a supportive housing complex. The grant program is part of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Housing Program. Organizations with eligible housing projects can apply for grants through this program only if they have a member bank to sponsor them. Through this “independent living” project located in Ridgewood, West Bergen Mental Healthcare will provide affordable rental units for 10 individuals with special needs who are living on very low incomes. “Atlantic Stewardship Bank supports West Bergen Mental Healthcare in its mission to provide comprehensive treatment and supportive services to the community. And, we are proud to have played a role in helping this housing project come to fruition,” said Atlantic Stewardship Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Van Ostenbridge. In addition to sponsoring West Bergen Mental Healthcare in this grant process, Atlantic Stewardship Bank has included the organization as one of the beneficiaries of its tithing program. Under this unique program, Atlantic Stewardship gives back 10 percent of its pre-tax profits to Christian and local charitable organizations. To date, the bank’s total tithe donations exceed $7.3 million. Atlantic Stewardship Bank has 13 banking offices in Midland Park, Hawthorne, Montville, North Haledon, Pequannock, Ridgewood, Waldwick, Wayne, Westwood, and Wyckoff. More information can be found at www.asbnow.com. To learn more about West Bergen Mental Healthcare, visit www.westbergen.org. Atlantic Stewardship Bank President and CEO Paul Van Ostenbridge, West Bergen Mental Healthcare CEO Michael J. Tozzoli, and Atlantic Stewardship Bank AVP and Ridgewood Branch Manager Paul Pellegrine. RIH appeal (continued from page 5) in the operation of the school. “It is my understanding from the board’s counsel that the Appellate Division affirmed the acting commissioner’s decision which found that the board’s original extracurricular regulation exceeded the authority of the board to regulate these privileges because it did not require a nexus between the alleged violation of law and school order or safety,” Ramapo Indian Hills Superintendent Lauren Schoen said of the court decision. “We are, of course, disappointed that the board’s original regulation was not upheld by the Appellate Division. However, following the acting commissioner’s decision and before this appeal was filed, the board revised its policy to include the required nexus. The revised extracurricular regulation was effectively implemented during the 2011-12 school year and shall continue to regulate extracurricular activities at both of the district’s high schools.” Shoen advised that the school board has not had the opportunity to review this decision and so it has not been determined whether they wish to petition the New Jersey Supreme Court to review this case. The extracurricular regulation dispute came before the Appellate Court because, in September 2010, Administrative Law Judge Richard McGill determined that the board’s regulation concerning certain conduct away from school grounds was unlawful. Specifically, he found that the regulation, which would withhold extracurricular activities from a student who is formally charged and/or arrested by law enforcement for an alleged violation of the state’s code of criminal justice, or applicable municipal ordinances, on or away from school grounds, was outside and in excess of the powers of the school board that are authorized by law and was, therefore, unlawful and unconstitutional, and violated parental rights. The regulation was adopted by the board in June 2009 and required students to refrain from the use, possession, or distribution of any alcoholic beverage or other drugs, unless prescribed by a physician, both on and off school grounds, during the season or activity in which the student wishes to participate in the extracurricular activity. A violation would occur if a student were formally charged and/or arrested by law enforcement for an alleged violation of the state’s code of criminal justice and/or applicable municipal codes or ordinance provisions. An alleged violation would result in a conference with the student, his or her parents, and the school administration, after which it would be determined if a violation actually occurred. If a violation had occurred, the student would be prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities for seven school days or through the next scheduled competitive event. A second violation would result in a 90-day prohibition, and a third violation would result in a 180-day prohibition. That recommendation by Judge McGill was confirmed by Hendricks, who directed the board to revise its regulation to comply with the state statute. That revision was made, but challenged once again by the Meeses. Administrative Law Judge Caridad F. Rigo found the revised regulation to be unlawful, but Acting Commissioner Chris Cerf overruled that recommendation and confirmed the revised regulation as lawful. The Meeses did not appeal the acting commissioner’s action to confirm that revised regulation. The board then appealed the ruling on the first version of the regulation, which found that version to be unlawful, to the Appellate Division of Superior Court which led to the recent ruling by that body. Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff recently elected Cynthia Bach and David Visbeen to the CHCC Board of Trustees. Bach retired from teaching in the Mahwah school system and is a current member of the New Jersey Choral Society. She previously served on the CHCC Centennial Gala Committee. Bach and her husband David are residents of Wyckoff and attend Wyckoff Reformed Church. Visbeen is a partner and president of Visbeen Construction Co., a commercial contracting company, where he has worked for 32 years. He previously served as a board member of Eastern Christian School Association. Visbeen is currently serving as president of the foundation for Eastern Christian School Association and on the board of directors for ditto, an upscale resale store in North Haledon. He and his family are members of Cornerstone Christian Church. Visbeen and his wife Cynthia reside in Midland Park. Rick De Bel of Lincoln Park; Ruth Knyfd of Midland Park; Rev. Rod Gorter and David Montgomery, MD, both of Ridgewood, were re-elected to New trustees join board at CHCC the board. De Bel has been with Bank of America and its predecessors for 28 years and is currently senior vice president in client management. Knyfd is a registered nurse and has been an active volunteer with the CHCC Heritage Manor Nursing Home Neighborhood Visitor program. Rev. Gorter is the pastor of Midland Park Christian Reformed Church, where he has served since 2010. Dr. Montgomery is a cardiologist working with Cardiology Associates of North Jersey in Oakland and is a fellow in the American College of Cardiology. He is the Director of the Division of Cardiology at The Valley Hospital and Chairman of its Institutional Review Board. Anthony Van Grouw Jr., M.D., finished his term on the board after 35 years of service, which included nine years as its chair. In addition, Mark Reitsma finished his term on the board after nine years. The non-profit Christian Health Care Center has been serving the community since 1911, providing a broad scope of eldercare and mental-health programs.