Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • June 5, 2013 Representative Scott Garrett (NJ05) is proud to announce the nomination of Waldwick resident Ryan Kowal to the United States Military Academy at West Point and Ho-HoKus resident William Bourque to the United States Naval Academy at Anapolis. This year’s nominees were honored by the Congressman at a ceremony at Ramapo College in Mahwah. “I am proud to nominate Ryan Kowal to the United States Military Academy at West Point and William Bourque to the United States Naval Academy at Anapolis, and I commend them for their desire to defend our freedom and serve our country. Our country has a bright future because of students like Ryan and William. I wish them the best in all their future endeavors.” At left: Rep. Garrett with Ryan Kowal. At right: Garrett with William Bourque. Area residents nominated to service academies Graydon Pool ramp postponed at least until September by John Koster Construction of the barrier-free access ramp at Graydon Pool has been postponed at least until September, according to Ridgewood Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser. “We’ve already missed the season, so we will build it in September, assuming we get permission from the DEP,” Rutishauser said last week. “We need the approval because we will be using HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) money to pay for it.” He added that, if approval was not forthcoming, Ridgewood could elect to build the ramp with funds taken from the capital item of the municipal budget if the Ridgewood Village Council approved the concept. Plans for the controversial ramp were approved by a 3-2 vote as members of the council had disagreed as to whether the design fulfilled the need to provide barrier-free access to the lake-style pool. Advocates of the handicapped who spoke at council meetings disagreed among their factions as to whether the proposed ramp was a good idea and whether it was located in the right spot. In the end, Mayor Paul Aronsohn and Council Members Albert Pucciarelli and Gwen Hauck voted to approve ramp construction, and Council Members Thomas Riche and Bernadette Walsh voted against the ramp as designed. Rutishauser said that the ramp plan is now under study by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and specifically by the Historic Preservation Office. Presumably also under study is a two-page official letter from the Historical Preservation Committee of the Village of Ridgewood. Committee Chairman Arthur Wrubel registered his views on the side of those who do not like the ramp as proposed. “Construction of a 90-foot ramp -- including its approach into the water, the accompanying sidewalks, stairs, and aluminum railing -- would be an incompatible intrusion, artificially clashing with the natural curvature of the shore,” Wrubel wrote on May 13. “The ramp’s inharmonious and rigid geometric design would not only interfere with the natural, free-flowing stone edge of the pool, but its pres- ence would actually destroy the continuity and uniformity of that edge, thus mutilating a designed environment created by past generations for future generations to enjoy. In addition, the presence of this proposed ramp would further mar the Graydon setting by the loss of beachfront approaches to the water for other residents. “Legislated ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) design guidelines require a slope gradual enough so that a handicapped person can propel a wheelchair up and down the ramp. Not only would this plan result in an elongated approach out of the water, but also it ends the ramp in deep (12-feet) water unsuitable for children and creating a nearimpossible challenge for adults to turn their chairs around, as well as a dangerous obstacle for other swimmers. “We believe there are less intrusive solutions for both children and adults with disabilities that have not been explored. One of these is a mobi-chair, which is used at Crestwood Lake in the neighboring town of Allendale.” Wrubel urged the state to keep the Ridgewood Historic Preservation Commission informed.