July 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 5 Ridgewood Anti-cancer campaign, T-shirts draw negative feedback by John Koster All parties present agreed that cancer awareness is important -- but several speakers at last week’s Ridgewood Village Council meeting thought some of the measures taken by Valley Hospital at Graydon Pool were a bit over the top. “For weeks we’ve had signs and sandwich boards all over the pool,” said Marcia Ringel, one of the successful proponents of keeping Graydon’s lake-like appearance. “I would really like those signs to come down. I just think that when people drive by and see the word ‘cancer,’ it’s not okay. It’s subliminal advertising.” Ringel and several other speakers said that constantly citing the menace of cancer in connection with sunshine and swimming is not a good enticement for pool use. Ringel added that most people in Ridgewood are well informed about the menace of cancer, and come to Graydon to relax rather then be reminded of cancer, particularly when they have lost loved ones to the disease. Diane Palacios said the sunscreen cream distributed free by Valley contained ozybenzone, described in scientific literature as a hormonal disrupter. She added that melanomas tend to originate from serious sunburns, and that a reasonable amount of sunlight is more healthful than harmful. Beth Warren, another resident, displayed a sky-blue Graydon Camp T-shirt given out to children at Graydon with the word “VALLEY” printed on it. “This is a red flag to me,” Warren said. “It’s unacceptable to use our kids as walking sandwich boards.” She said that she would rather pay for a camp T-shirt with her own money than receive a free shirt with a logo she did not approve of in advance. She asked that parents be contacted if sponsoring agencies had their names or logos on camp clothing or gear given out to children. “I ask that, in the future, the council consider reviewing such commercial ventures before accepting them,” Warren said. The Ridgewood Planning Board, after more than a year of contentious hearings, approved plans for an expansion of Valley Hospital and forwarded the plans to the Ridgewood Village Council -- which unanimously declined to implement the plans by introducing and adopting an ordinance. Three of the present council members -- new Mayor Paul Aronsohn, Councilman Thomas Riche, and Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh -- voted with former Mayor Keith Killion and former Councilman Stephen Wellinghorst not to implement the Valley Hospital expansion, but neighborhood opponents remain vigilant against any new expansion proposal. This may have clouded the use of the Valley name in promotional material for Graydon Pool. In other business, Village Manager Ken Gabbert said that, as of July 18, the storage capacity in the Ridgewood Water Company tanks was up to 77 percent, deemed adequate in case of fire-fighting needs or other emergencies. This news followed the Stage II water restrictions imposed on Ridgewood Water Company customers in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff a few weeks before, when capacity was down to a level thought to be a threat to public safety. Project Pride announces Homescape Awards The latest recipients of Project Pride Committee’s Homescape Award include the owners of 33 Pomander Walk, 35 Pomander Walk, 202 Mountain Avenue, 297 Gardner Road, 327 McKinley Place, and 199 West End Avenue. This honor is given in recognition of outstanding gardens in the Village of Ridgewood that are visible from the street. The award goes to six different homeowners every two weeks throughout the summer, and the recipients are presented with a sunflower to display in their garden during this two week period distinguishing their landscaping and gardens as exemplary. Award recipients are also recognized by the Village Council with a certificate of appreciation. Project Pride started this initiative in an effort to raise consciousness of all who work and live in Ridgewood about the need to help maintain the beauty of their community. For details about the Project Pride Committee, contact Maribeth Lane at (201)-652-9361 or njlanes1@verizon.net.