Tensions Mount Over Plans For Gold Star Memorial In Ridgewood

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A proposed memorial to honor Americans who've lost family in military service, offered as a gift by American Legion Post 53, received a soft no last week from Ridgewood officials who said the proposal was “not quite there yet.”

The "not quite" rejection at a Village Council public workshop on Dec. 7 spurred Post 53 to hint it may rescind its offer for a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Van Neste Square Memorial Park.

"The Post is on the verge of withdrawing its gift," said Post 53 representative Chris Stout.

Stout's frustrations were echoed by Councilmember Lorraine Reynolds, who argued the gift-giving group — sent back to the drawing board earlier this fall after another contentious debate —was being forced to jump through unnecessary hoops.

"I am truly so upset that we are putting Legion 53 through all of this," Reynolds said. "I just can't see any reason why we shouldn't say, 'Thank you.'"

"We are all on the same side," said Councilmember Paul Vagianos, who argued the plans didn't yet cut muster. "Let's not make this personal."

Vagianos echoed Deputy Mayor Pam Perron's recommendation that Post 53 submit the proposed plans to the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board for review and a stamp of approval.

Perron, who raised concerns about the aesthetics of situating two war memorials on the site, also pitched the idea of inviting an architect to review the concept plans.

Mayor Susan Knudsen said she believed adding extra approval steps was "fundamentally unfair."

Knudsen suggested making a list of detailed steps, including prior approval from the Conservation Board, that Post 53 would need to follow in order to gain approval.

"Why wasn't some of this required (before)?" Knudsen said. "Where were some of these questions?"

Stout argued the Post had done its "due diligence" in revising the plan and that it was time for the council to take charge.

Despite debate about the proposal and the means for getting it approved, Vagianos did try to find common ground.

"Don't take this as (our) not wanting a monument," Vagianos said. "We all want it."