What is The Ridgewood Blog?
The Ridgewood Blog is an online blog focused on news, events, and opinions about Ridgewood, New Jersey (and surrounding towns).
It aims to inform local residents about community news, local and state-level political issues, events, and public matters.
The blog describes itself as having a “free-market” or “laissez-faire” viewpoint, meaning it shares opinions that favor fewer regulations and more individual choice in economic and public policy.
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In short: The Ridgewood Blog is a local, opinionated news source—not a large newspaper, but a smaller community-driven blog that seeks to engage people in discussion about local matters.
What the Blog Covers
Local News and Events
The blog publishes posts about matters inside Ridgewood—for example, local events, community alerts, public notices, and local government or public-safety issues.
It also reports on nearby towns or issues affecting the wider area (state laws, neighborhood developments, public policy) when relevant.
Opinion and Discussion
Because of its political perspective (free-market/laissez-faire), many blog posts include opinionated takes: commentary on legislation, taxes, local government actions, and business regulation.
They also encourage reader comments and discussion. The comment section is an important part of how the blog works: it allows people in the community to share their views—even controversial ones sometimes.
Variety of Topics
Because Ridgewood is part of a wider area (New Jersey, nearby cities, and state-level politics), the blog doesn’t only limit itself to hyper-local news. You might find posts about state bills, the economy, or other topics beyond the town but still relevant to the community.
How The Ridgewood Blog Operates
- The blog is run by “the staff of the Ridgewood Blog,” who produce posts, write updates, and manage comments.
- They allow comments from readers. However, they have moderation rules: they do not allow threats, racist or bigoted language, or severe personal attacks.
- Their moderation is somewhat more permissive when posts are about public figures or politicians (versus private individuals), allowing stronger language or criticism in those cases.
- Anonymity is allowed—people can comment without using their real names (if they wish). This is part of their commitment to allow open community discussion.
Because the blog blends news and opinion and allows open comments, it often becomes a place for debate among community members—about politics, local policies, changes, and events in Ridgewood.
Strengths and Criticisms
Strengths
- Local focus: For residents of Ridgewood or surrounding areas, the blog gives hyper-local news and updates that larger media outlets may not cover.
- Community engagement: By allowing comments and opinions, the blog gives people a platform to voice concerns, support, or critique—helping build a sense of community engagement.
- Diverse topics: From local traffic and events to broader state politics—the blog covers a variety of relevant topics for readers interested in governance, local matters, and civic life.
Criticisms or Challenges
- Opinionated tone: Because of its free-market leanings and active opinion content, posts may reflect strong biases. Readers should keep in mind that not every article is purely “”news”—many are opinion pieces.
- Comment wars / Trolls: Open comments can lead to heated discussions. Some community members have criticized comment threads for nasty name-calling or harsh language.
- Not a “mainstream newspaper”: It isn’t part of a large media house or subject to traditional journalism standards. Its fact-checking and editorial process may be different from major newspapers.
Because of that, it works more like a community blog—a mix of news, opinion, and discussion—rather than a fully professionalized newspaper.
Why People Use the Ridgewood Blog
- To stay updated on local events, community news, and municipal changes that don’t appear in bigger media.
- To read opinion-driven content about politics, taxes, laws, and public services—especially from a “small-government/free-market” angle.
- To join conversations about local issues: comment, share thoughts, connect with neighbors, and express support or criticism.
- To find hyper-local insight: sometimes the blog reports small matters—parking closures, local business news, community events—that matter only to Ridgewood area residents.
For many locals, it fills a niche: more personal, more local, and more immediate than large media.
FAQs
Q: Is The Ridgewood Blog a reliable news source?
A: It can be useful for local news and events—but remember, it mixes facts with opinions. Always double-check important news if you need absolute accuracy, especially on politics or public safety.
Q: Who can comment on the blog?
A: Anyone (including anonymously)—but the blog has rules: no threats, hate speech, or racism. Criticism of public figures is allowed with more leeway than criticism of private citizens.
Q: Does the blog only talk about Ridgewood town?
A: No—while it focuses on Ridgewood, it sometimes covers broader New Jersey or even national issues, especially when they impact Ridgewood residents.
Q: What is meant by the “free-market / laissez-faire” viewpoint?
A: It means the blog’s opinion content tends to support fewer government regulations and more personal and economic freedom and often favors small government or pro-business policies.
Q: Is it like a regular newspaper?
A: Not exactly. It’s smaller, more community-driven, and opinion-heavy. It doesn’t follow the exact structure of a major newspaper—instead, it works more like a local blog or forum where readers and writers interact.
Conclusion
The Ridgewood Blog is a useful example of how modern, community-driven media work. It shows that local people can build a platform to share news, opinions, and community stories—without needing big resources or corporate support.
For people living in or interested in Ridgewood, it offers a way to stay connected to what’s going on: local politics, events, community debates, and small-scale news that might otherwise go unnoticed. It also offers a space for public discussion, giving voice to residents’ opinions and community concerns.