Gabbert Grabs $20K Raise, Bombshell in Clementi Case This Week in Ridgewood

Undoubtedly the biggest story this week was a council vote that may very well spur greater civic engagement. . The body has run into a wall of public anger stemming from the decision, which approves an MOU to pay Gabbert $185,000, the highest amount in the county for a city manager. Gabbert was making $165,000 in November of 2009 before the resolution, which pays him $185K retroactive to January of 2011 (just about 14 months).

Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh said she didn't believe the public had a place in the discussions, given that negotiations are within the purview of the council. In contrast, Councilman Paul Aronsohn, the lone dissenter, took objection to that remark. He argued that the citizens have "every right in the world" to be heard. 

But it was really Councilman Stephen Wellinghorst's speech that best summed up the discussion and may be words remembered by many in spring of 2012 – election time.

Wellinghorst said that it's the right of the council to approve personnel contracts and it's the voting public's place to make their views known at the ballot box.

If comments left on our story and other local media the following morning are any indication, Wellinghorst's words will be telling indeed.

Our other top stories ranged from hit-and-run stories, a potentially big turn in the Tyler Clementi bias intimidation case, and more.

2) The lawyer for Dharun Ravi, the former college roommate of Tyler Clementi, for his sexual orientation and apologized for a "miscommunication" when Clementi was at the George Washington Bridge, moments before he reportedly leapt to his death. There's a lot going on in this story, so take a look.

3) A 17-year-old boy was out just past 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning when . Police said the alleged driver, 21-year-old Matt Cermak, turned himself in several hours later and is now facing charges. One of the victim's shoes flew approximately 40 feet but his injuries were not life threatening, according to authorities.

4) Think about the trees! The Preserve Graydon Coalition says , and it's asking the village to step in and see what can be done. The most recognizable, the sycamore tree on the island in Graydon, is said to be diseased. The other, an elm tree, was planted in 1931 and is one of the very few left in Ridgewood. The others have been lost to disease. Village officials were not aware of any issues, they told us.

5) Hope the Hawes third graders brought Mrs. Bonaguaro an apple or a gift on the last day of school. It was her last day too, you know. But the retired teacher's daughter is a teacher at Hawes too, so it's not too late. Give it a read to hear what the senior Bonaguaro said about testing mandates and how it limits creativity of students, as well as what teaching third grade specifically is so interesting.

6) Some of the worst village roads are going to get a face lift after the village council . Those roads are in pretty cruddy condition, so this is well appreciated.

7) It's over! It's over! Huzzah! After what feels like eons, the . Really. After an amendment to the policy to strip the Fields Committee of the ability to regulate "alternate" lights on a few fields, the ink is dry...until September of 2012.