Village Council Asks Court to Void Election Result

Dear Ridgewood Community,

In a court filing last week, the Village Council asked the court to overturn voters’ recent decision to approve local election consolidation. On November 3rd, 2020, the people of Ridgewood overwhelmingly voted YES on this initiative. Despite this, on November 27th, the Village’s attorneys asked the Appellate Court to void the result of the election.

The results of the election were clear; election consolidation won by a decisive margin of over 2200 votes. This election demonstrated that Ridgewood voters could and would vote on local issues in November elections. More votes were cast (nearly 13,000) than in any previous off-cycle election. The people of Ridgewood resoundingly made their voices heard.

Now a majority on the Village Council has decided to spend even more taxpayer dollars to appeal their initial loss in court. In September, a trial judge ruled that the consolidation question should be placed on the November ballot for voters to decide. The judge also found that the Village Clerk, in trying to keep this issue off the ballot, violated the petitioners’ civil rights. This violation meant that the Village is obligated to pay all legal fees associated with this dispute – which amounts to $17,284.46 at the time of this post and increases with each day that they continue this fight.

In the current appeal, the Village has contracted with an outside attorney to assist the Village Attorney. This will, by necessity, further increase costs to the taxpayer. It appears that the Village Council has chosen to spend taxpayer money to overturn the election results.

Are members of our local government truly placing their own political interests ahead of the will of the people? At taxpayer expense?

What can be done?

If you are disgusted with the Village’s ongoing efforts to subvert the will of the voters, attend the next Village Council meeting via Zoom and make your voice heard during Public Comment. Alternatively, you can also contact members of the Village Council directly:

Thank you again to all who have continued to support us in this positive change for our community.

One Village, One Vote!

Bob Fuhrman
Matthew Lindenberg
Stacey Loscalzo
Deborah Steinbaum
Siobhan Crann Winograd

Be sure to sign up for emails at www.onevillageonevote.com in order to receive all of the latest information and learn how you can help support this change in our Village. Thank you.

Ridgewood Voters Say Yes to Our Municipal Question

Dear Neighbors,

The votes are in and we are excited to announce that Ridgewood voters voted “YES” on our Municipal Question. Beginning in 2021, Ridgewood will elect representatives to our non-partisan Board of Education and Village Council in November, when history has proven that the most voters turn out and have their votes counted. We will no longer have expensive, low-turnout elections for these bodies in April and May.

The unofficial results from the Bergen County Clerk show on page 15 that 6,521 voted “Yes” while 4,459 voted “No.”

The One Village One Vote team thanks all of our supporters, friends and families for the work we did together to create positive change in our Village. From the beginning, this has been a community wide effort and we are grateful for each and every one of you.

We look forward to ensuring our Village’s ongoing prosperity together.

Warmly,

One Village, One Vote!

Bob Fuhrman
Matthew Lindenberg
Stacey Loscalzo
Deborah Steinbaum
Siobhan Crann Winograd

Be sure to sign up for emails at www.onevillageonevote.com in order to receive all of the latest information and learn how you can help support this change in our Village. Thank you.

VOTE YES on election consolidation in Ridgewood.

Find our municipal question on PAGE 3 of your ballot and VOTE YES using black pen to fill in the circle next to the word YES.

VOTE YES FOR MUNICIPAL QUESTION ON PAGE 3:

Higher Turnout & Broader Representation on the Village Council & Board of Education: More people vote in November than in April/May. More of our voices will be heard.

Ease: Voting is easier and more accessible when elections are held on a single day.

Cost Savings: Moving our local elections to November saves the taxpayers money.

School Safety: With fewer elections, there will be less outside foot traffic in our schools.

School Budget Vote: With November elections, if the Board of Education proposes a tax levy increase greater than 2%, a special election will be scheduled.

Don’t delay. Ballots must be postmarked by 8pm on November 3rd in order to be counted.

Please take the time to share this message with friends, family and neighbors. Thank you in advance.

One Village, One Vote!

Bob Fuhrman
Matthew Lindenberg
Stacey Loscalzo
Deborah Steinbaum
Siobhan Crann Winograd

Be sure to sign up for emails at www.onevillageonevote.com in order to receive all of the latest information and learn how you can help support this change in our Village. Thank you.