October 30, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 17 Ho-Ho-Kus Jottings Ghostly Tours at the Hermitage Join author and medium Craig McMa- nus for a hauntingly entertaining night at the Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus on Oct. 29 and 30 at 7 and 9 p.m. McManus, the author of five books on ghosts and hauntings, will explain the step- by-step process of modern-day ghost hunt- ing as experienced from the perspective of a psychic medium. If he senses anything in the house during the tour, he will attempt to communicate with the spirits. Each tour lasts approximately one hour and is limited to 16 people. Participants must be 18 or older. Light refreshments will be served on veranda of the Hermit- age, which is located at 335 North Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus. Tickets are $30 each and must be pur- chased in advance. Visit www.thehermit- age.org or call (201) 445-8311, extension 36. The Hermitage, a National Historic Landmark, is open weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. The landmark property incorporates a stone structure that was visited during the Revolutionary War by George Wash- ington and was the site where Aaron Burr met and married Theodosia Prevost. Today, the historic house’s furnishings reflect the late Victorian lifestyle of the Rosencrantz family, who owned and lived in the home from 1807 to 1970. The museum collection is notable for its historic clothing as well as for personal items and papers related to the family. The Friends of the Hermitage, Inc., a nonprofit membership organization, man- ages the Hermitage, a New Jersey State Park. ECLC sponsors free workshops In an effort to help parents and guard- ians of children with special needs, the ECLC of New Jersey School in Ho-Ho-Kus has launched a free workshop series touch- Open space, council race (continued from page 3) careful budget analysis and eliminate unnecessary spending. To improve condi- tions I will attempt to establish economi- cal access to all facilities for all residents. Lastly I will begin outlining a succession plan for a smooth transition from the many long-serving key borough employees who will be retiring within the next 1-3 years. These dedicated employees are essential to our continued quality of life, and ensuring their expertise and experience is passed on to the proper new hires is crucial,” Bjork stressed. “The single most important issue facing Waldwick residents is affordability,” Frey said in a statement. ”My wife and I chose Waldwick in 2007 because of its afford- ability, educational system, and its quiet suburban charm. In six short years since then, our taxes have skyrocketed, as many others have. We were forced to appeal our taxes a couple of years ago just to keep them affordable when they reached $11,500. There are currently 25-35 homes on the market in Waldwick. Residents are asked to pay more but receive less in ser- vices. Even in our schools, middle school sports programs are being eliminated, but the school portion of your taxes remain the same or more. People are leaving Waldwick for more affordable towns such as Midland Park, who have or are close to a zero debt services balance. The debt which looms over this town will affect all of us for some time,” Frey said. “If given the chance, I will make cer- tain every tax dollar is spent wisely. I will take a hard look at each line item to see what programs are working, are they prop- erly budgeted for and investigate which line items are overspent and why. Having a healthy surplus, which every town should have, is also a goal of mine. I’d like to allo- cate funds for capital improvements on a yearly basis so that the residents are never asked to decide on one-time tax payments for projects. Each year since FY 2008, the budget has been over spent, with an antici- pation of one amount and a realized amount of another,” he said. “The tax levy and the tax rate are two separate and distinct items. This year we have been told there is no increase in the levy, but the rate is undeter- mined. Our rate in 2009 was (0.514), 2010, (0.544), 2011, (0.516), 2012 (0.560). “None of my goals can be accom- plished overnight, but I will work hard to keep the residents aware of what is going on with their tax dollars every step of the way. My mother always told me, if you feel strong about something, then do something about it. I feel strong about my ability to serve this town, and that’s why I am run- ning for Waldwick town council, which is to make the change I feel is needed,” Frey concluded. “We’ve worked hard to maintain the quality of life and the level of municipal services that make Waldwick a great place to live. At the same time we are sensitive to the costs associated with these services,” said Sciolaro. “In recent years we have seen modest increases in the municipal portion of our property taxes, and in 2013 we main- tained all services without any tax increase at all. This was accomplished by continuing to seek out ways to increase our purchasing power through shared services with neigh- boring communities such as: road repaving with numerous towns in northwest Bergen, grass and leaf removal with Ho-Ho-Kus, road salt acquisition with Allendale, pistol range maintenance with numerous commu- nities, vehicle maintenance with Ridgewood to name a few,” he added. “ Despite our success with these efforts the future holds great uncertainty with new challenges for us. I believe we have a solid foundation to address this uncertainty, and we will continue to work hard to maintain the quality of life we have come to enjoy at the lowest tax rate possible,” Sciolaro con- cluded. Bjork has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science from Kansas State University. He is vice president of Bjork Builders, Ltd., of Midland Park, a mid- sized commercial general contracting and construction management firm specializ- ing in religious construction. Frey is a career firefighter currently assigned as the fire inspector, fire official, and arson investigator for the Hoboken Fire Department. Sciolaro has a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University. He currently serves as president and CEO of DESolutions, an association management and consulting firm. ing on topics that are particularly important to this community. Any interested member of the community may join ECLC staff and outside experts for these workshops. All programs will take place at the ECLC School located at 302 North Franklin Turn- pike in Ho-Ho-Kus. Registration for the workshops may be made by e-mailing vlindorff@eclcofnj.org or calling (201) 670-7800. Child care cannot be provided during these sessions. “Strategies for Effective Collaboration with Your School District” will be held Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Participants will learn the basic principles of special education law, strategies to help strengthen their roles as advocates for their children, how to com- municate more effectively, negotiate with confidence, maintain, records and preserve a positive working relationship with dis- trict leaders. This workshop, sponsored by ASAH, will be presented by experts from Hinkle, Fingles & Prior. For this workshop only, RSVP to: Donna Gomez, ASAH, DonnaG@asah.org or (609) 890-1400. Lori Wolf, Esq. will present “Special Needs Trusts” on Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. This expert has written extensively and lectured on this sensitive and important topic. The final workshop will be presented on March 20, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. Jennifer Joyce, coordinator of employment and day services at DDD will present “Changes in DDD Funding.” Participants will learn how funding through the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities is changing for people with special needs. Seniors set fall schedule The Ho-Ho-Kus Seniors group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Hermitage Education Center at 335 North Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus. Beverages and desserts are served at noon, and programs begin at 1 p.m., or as noted. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 12. On Nov. 14, the group will travel to LiGreci’s on Staten Island for lunch and show “Three Irish Tenors.” The seniors will travel to the Hunter- don Hills Playhouse on Dec. 13. The outing will include lunch and “A Branson Country Christmas.” Residents age 55 and up are welcome. Contact Joan at (201) 444-4896 for program information. For trip information, contact Sue at (201) 444-7235. VFW welcomes new members The Ho-Ho-Kus VFW Post 192, which serves Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood, wel- comes new members. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Post Home, 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus. For additional information, call (201) 675-7669. Memorabilia sought Area residents are asked to provide photos, newspaper clippings, post cards, maps, aerial photos, and similar items fea- turing the area surrounding VFW Post 192 on Cliff Street and the Hopper-Zabriskie Cemetery on First Street in Ho-Ho-Kus, prior to 1966. These items will be used for a local history project. All materials will be returned after scanning and copying. Con- tact Stanley Kober at (201) 445-1121. Story time under way Story time at the Worth-Pinkham Library is under way. The program meets on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m. and will continue through December. Registration is not required. For more information, call (201) 445-8078. The library is located at 91 Warren Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus.