Ridgewood December 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 19 Officials explain need to rent armored cars by John Koster Ridgewood resident Roger Wiegand asked village officials if the municipality could get by without occasionally renting an armored car, and seemed satisfied when Chief Financial Officer Steve Sanzari explained why the village sometimes needs one. “I’m wondering why it’s necessary to use an armored car service,” Wiegand asked at the Nov. 28 public council meeting. Wiegand, who frequently offers useful advice at council meetings, had seen the stipend for armored car rental on the audit of the municipal budget, which was recently completed and left on file for citizens to review. Wiegand noted that, in former times, Ridgewood Police Department officers took the bags of coins garnered from the parking meters to the banks. Renting armored cars with taxpayer money had not appeared to occur. “We just don’t have the bodies we used to have,” Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert told Wiegand. Specifically, Gabbert said that, in the days of police trips to the bank, Ridgewood had 54 officers on the force. That number is now down to 42, Gabbert said. The financial department in those days had nine workers, and now the financial department has six workers, he added. CFO Sanzari, who had been seated in the audience, appeared before the microphone to explain the logistics of armored car rental. He explained that the bank, which once provided free coin counting for the 16 to 19 bags of traffic meter quarters and dimes picked up between deliveries, had been bought out by another bank that no longer provides counting coins as an option. The bags of coins are now taken to a business in Elizabeth that counts coins as a regular business. Diverting police officers and a patrol car for that long a drive took the officers and vehicle out of the loop. Police Department Report Origins of a holiday staple (continued from page 7) brought to the New World, the colonists substituted rum for the wine. Rum was readily available through tradesmen running between the Americas and the Caribbean and was therefore less expensive than another spirit. As America grew and eggnog was enjoyed in different parts of the country, the rum was replaced with regional spirits, including bourbon or grain alcohol. Other ingredients were also added to give it a customized flavor. However, the use of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves has become traditional for the holiday brew. Although eggnog is widely enjoyed throughout the holiday season, in the past it was served at special events and social occasions. As a warmed beverage, it can easily chase away winter’s chill. This is how it may have come to be enjoyed primarily during the holidays. Love it or hate it, eggnog is a drink that can evoke strong feelings of the holidays within minutes. There are variations of eggnog sold commercially, but many people swear by homemade versions for taste and authenticity. Try your own homemade eggnog with this recipe, courtesy of Cooks.com. Holiday Eggnog (Spirited) 1 dozen eggs 1 pound powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup vanilla 8 cups evaporated milk 3 cups water 1 quart spiced rum Nutmeg, to garnish Beat eggs until light in color. Gradually add sugar, salt, and vanilla. Then add milk and water. Stir in rum. (Brandy, bourbon, or rye may also be used.) Cover the nog and “ripen” for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Stir again and serve sprinkled with nutmeg. (Photo courtesy of Boyd Loving) On Nov. 22 at 9:58 p.m., patrol responded to a report of motor vehicle accident on S. Hill Road. Officers found the vehicle on its roof and the driver uninjured standing near the vehicle. During the investigation, it was determined that the driver, a 17-year-old Ridgewood resident, was under the influence of drugs. He was arrested and charged with DWI and careless driving. He was released pending an appearance in Ridgewood Municipal Court. At 6:05 p.m. on Nov. 24, Patrolman Raymond Tarino conducted a motor vehicle stop on Franklin Turnpike. During the stop, it was determined that the operator of the vehicle, a 16-year-old village resident, was unlicensed and in possession of marijuana. The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents pending Juvenile Court Action. The two juvenile passengers were released to parents.