August 21, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 17 Ridgewood Notes Kusterbeck to discuss disaster relief Kae Kusterbeck of Church World Service will present “Blankets, Food, and Assistance in Times of Disaster” at the Sept. 4 meeting of the Women’s Guild of Old Paramus Reformed Church. The group will gather at 1:15 p.m. in the Education Building at 660 East Glen Avenue in Ridgewood. The community is welcome. Kusterbeck’s program will outline the relief ministry offered through Church World Service, a global humani- tarian agency. Kusterbeck, an experienced speaker and community activist, has offered presentations and workshops through- out the region in churches, synagogues, public and private schools, colleges, and at mission meetings. Ridgewood Manager dismissed (continued from page 3) advised that he was going to be fired and that a major- ity vote of the council was in agreement. Previously, and after much discussion, the council agreed to establish a job improvement plan for Dr. Gabbert, and that we would dis- cuss its progress. In not a single meeting since then, and even with Dr. Gabbert’s insistence to discuss any problem areas with any councilperson, was any critique, question, or criticism posed to Dr. Gabbert. And quite to the con- trary, Dr. Gabbert was often praised in public meetings for a job well done on a particular issue directly by the mayor and council members. “Fast forward several months and again Dr. Gabbert was again told he would be terminated and that the major- ity vote was in place for such a termination. “Dr. Gabbert was offered an exit package and was advised that it was preferred to provide him with a ‘soft landing’ for which the village would receive a release from him. Paperwork was drawn and all was in place for the smooth transition. That package, which I can only describe as a ‘bait and switch scam,’ was pulled from the table last week. “I am dismayed and disgusted by the tactics that have been employed here. On a more serious note, I truly believe that Ridgewood is headed toward a form of government akin to a dictatorship by decree of the mayor with a weak village manager in place always fearful of a termination notice.” Feldsott said Gabbert had ruined Westwood when he was manager there and that, after he left, the town of West- wood had rebounded. Gabbert said that international economic problems may have impacted both Westwood and Ridgewood at the time he took over, but that Ridgewood had just received national praise as the 12 th richest town in America from CNN Money and that -- through an initiative by Aronsohn -- Gabbert had shared credit for achieving a zero-increase municipal budget. Gabbert, however, had been faulted for the $20,000 salary increase under Mayor Killion, for laying off 34 Ridgewood employees during the 2010 financial crunch, and for allegedly showing more concern for Upper Saddle River -- where he was then mayor -- than with Ridgewood during the first of the snowstorms that caused week-long power outages. Conversely, Killion, a former police captain and Vietnam veteran, was unrepentant about the 12 percent raise. Killion said Gabbert’s negotiations with Ridgewood’s unions had saved the village hundreds of thousands of dol- lars annually in payroll. Former Chief James Bombace charged, supporting the firing decision, that Gabbert had interfered with the opera- tions of the fire department and had not take Chief Bom- bace’s advice on appointing the new fire chief, James Van Goor, a long-time fireman and son of a police detective. Gabbert pointed out that his trimming of the paid fire department’s budget had taken several trained firefight- ers away from administrative jobs and put them back on action posts. He added that he had eliminated the position of deputy fire chief at a time when Mark Bombace, former president of the Ridgewood Board of Education, had been deputy fire chief. Eisen, the first and last resident to speak on the sub- ject, said he thought 3-2 decisions reflected badly on Ridgewood. residents are familiar with the work of Church World Ser- vice through the CROP Hunger Walks sponsored locally by CWS each fall. Kusterbeck coordinates this fundraising work of CWS throughout the region. For additional information, call the church office at (201) 444-5933 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays or visit www.oldparamus.org. Blood Drive set The Ridgewood YMCA, in cooperation with New York Blood Center, will host a Blood Drive on Thursday, Aug. 29. The drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Y located at 112 Oak Street. All blood donors will receive a free pair of tickets to see the New York Mets and will have an opportunity to win tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII. Donors are reminded to eat before giving blood and to bring proof of identity. Pre-registration is not necessary, but donors who wish to confirm a time slot may visit www. ridgewoodymca.org/blood-drive. For information about eligibility, call 1(800) 933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org. Nursery school registration under way The Ridgewood Nursery School & Kindergarten is now accepting registrations for the 2013-14 school year. This preschool and certified kindergarten program is open to children from two years and nine months to five years of age, and includes a wide variety of activities. School hours include: half-day, 9:15 to 11:45 a.m.; full day, 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; and extended day, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children enrolled in the preschool program may attend three, four, or five days a week. The Bergen County approved kindergarten program follows an academic curriculum requiring a minimum of five mornings a week. Afternoon sessions are also avail- able to children attending morning kindergarten at other area schools. New this year is a program for kindergarten/transitional kindergarten students, “Big Ideas for Little Hands.” This three-, four-, or five-day option for early elementary stu- dents includes explorations of literature, math, science, social studies, and more in a hands-on, learn-by-doing environment. Busing is available. Founded in 1935, the school is staffed by professionally trained and certified teachers licensed by the State of New Jersey. The school is located in the Glen School at 865 East Glen Avenue in Ridgewood. For more information, or to visit the school, call Diane Brown at (201) 445-2643. Infant & Child Safety program offered The Valley Hospital Center for Family Education will present “Baby ER/Infant and Child Safety” on Aug. 28 in the Dorothy B. Kraft Center at 15 Essex Road in Paramus. The program will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. During the first hour, a pediatrician will discuss infor- mation on emergency care, including first aid, sickness, allergies, and more. The second portion of the program will cover potential hazards to infants and children, car seat safety, poison prevention, childproofing a home, and fur- niture/toy safety. This one-session class does not include CPR. Registration is required. Child care providers are wel- come. The fee is $50 per couple. To register online, visit www.ValleyHealth.com/FamilyEducation. For more infor- mation, call (201) 291-6151. Ridgewood High Class of 1948 plans reunion They were called “Depression Babies” at their gradua- tion. They lived through five wars, 15 presidents, marriage, births, divorce, widowhood, infirmities, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the technology explosion. Now, the Ridgewood High School Class of 1948 has planned its 65 th Reunion for Sept. 5. The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Abbey Restaurant, 105 Lakeside Drive in Ramsey. There will be a buffet dinner and a cash bar. On Sept. 6, there will be a gathering at the home of Nancy and Red Zabriskie in Ho-Ho-Kus from 4 to 8 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be supplied by the Reunion Commit- tee. Class members are welcome to bring a friend. The Reunion Committee will accept RSVPs and news of class members, photos, new addresses, and e-mail addresses. Committee members are: Nancy Zabriskie, (201) 652-0939, nancybz30@gmail.com; Connie Sink- way, (201) 444-1346, conniebob424@verizon.net; Jean Olcott, (201) 251-3414, jean.olcott@cbmoves.com; Doris Auger, (201) 652-9377; and Bob Ringstad, (201) 652- 0807, rcr5253@aol.com. Co-op has fall openings The Co-operative Nursery School of Ridgewood is accepting registration for several of its fall programs. The co-op has openings in its kindergarten enrich- ment program, which meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings. This class is available to children enrolled in afternoon kindergarten programs and has a curriculum designed to complement the current kindergarten curricu- lum in Ridgewood. Space is limited. Mothers and children ages 18 months to two-and-a-half years are welcome to join Mommy and Me on Wednesday mornings. This 90-minute class is an introduction to pre- school and includes arts and crafts, story and circle time, and free play with an instructor. A limited amount of spots are now available. For more information, contact Katherine Gammer at (201) 447-6232 or ridgewoodcoop@gmail.com. Genealogists set roundtable discussion The Genealogical Society of Bergen County will hold a roundtable discussion on Monday, Aug. 26. The group will meet at 7 p.m. at the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Avenue in Ridgewood. Attendees are encouraged to bring their research problems and questions to the table. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more infor- mation, visit www.njgsbc.org.