Today, 9/28/26, at the Westwood-Hillsdale Municipal Court, the charges against Lori Fredrics and Councilman Gregory C. Hoffman were dismissed by Hon. Judge Matthew Fierro, after the prosecutor, Greg Irwin said that he wanted no part of these cases. The criminal case is now over. A new chapter, however, has begun. Stay tuned for further updates.

On September 22nd, 2026, Park Ridge Council by a 3-2 vote on party lines declined to table and passed the repeal of Ordinance 101-34-C.8, which previously barred the posting of poltical or any other signs on public property. Absent from the meeting was Councilman Gregory C. Hoffman, whose vote was, nevertheless unnecessary this time, because Republicans hold a 4-2 Council majority, and all Republicans in attendance voted in favor of final passage. Dr. Howard Fredrics, again,

On 9/8/26, Park Ridge Council voted 3-0 with two abstentions to repeal Ordinance 101-34.C.8, the Ordinance that bars political signs (and all other non-governmental signs) from public property. The vote, along party lines, included abstentions by Councilmembers Hoffman and Mintz, with Councilman Metzdorf absent. The fact that Councilman Hoffman abstained suggests he is aware that his co-sponsorship and subsequent votes in favor of the repeal, prior to his 9/8 abstention, wer

On or about 7/21/26, the Bergen County Prosecutor affirmed probable cause to charge Park Ridge Councilmember, Greg Hoffman with violating Municipal Ordinance 101-34.C.8, which bans the placement of political signs on public property. The Prosecutor also found probable cause to charge Hoffman with violating state law 39:4-97.3, which bans the use of cell phones while driving. The case, initially set for hearing, along with a further hearing of the criminal mischief case agai

Following an address to Mayor and Council by Howard Fredrics, Park Ridge Council voted 3-2 with 1 abstention to table the poltical sign ordinance repeal until after the November election. Voting to table was Councilmembers Mintz, Metzdorf, and Cozzi. Voting "No" on the motion to table was Councilmembers Fenwick and Hoffman, with Councilmember Goldsmith abstaining. Dr. Fredrics highlighted the fact that the addition of a permitting requirement raises constitutional issues,

On June 23rd, 2026, Park Ridge Council repealed Municipal Ordinance 101-34 C.8 by a vote of 4-1, with one abstention, on party lines. Republican Council members Fenwick, Goldsmith, and Cozzi all voted "Yes." Councilman Hoffman also voted "Yes" to repeal the ordinance several weeks after Judge Fierro, of Westwood-Hillsdale Municipal Court found probable cause to charge him with violating that same ordinance. Questions remain as to the propriety of casting a vote while charg

Late in the afternoon of April 27th, the day before a Council Meeting, Councilman Greg Hoffman, along with several colleagues, introduced an ordinance to repeal C.8 of Municipal Ordinance 101-34, which currently bars the placement of Election signs on public property, while allowing them to be placed on private property. Placing such signs unlawfully can carry a State-determined maximum fine of $2000 per sign. Did sponsors of this repeal attempt to remove the legal risks ass

At the hearing on 4/20, Judge Warren Clark noted that Councilman Gregory C. Hoffman is alleged to have violated Municipal Ordinance 101-34, barring the placement of signs on public property in the Borough of Park Ridge. Judge Clark said he found it interesting that such an allegation had been made, which suggests that he may very well take into account such an alleged violation of law by Councilman Hoffman in his disposition of the Criminal Mischief case against Lori Fredric

The next court hearing is scheduled for April 20th (Hitler's birthday) at Westwood-Hillsdale Municipal Court, via Zoom. Zoom meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88335694359?pwd=bY89Zf0yVGl8jWUGtU95aWf8zLP3iq.1 Meeting ID: 883 3569 4359 Passcode: 968091 However, the court hearing may be moved to an in-person hearing. More to follow soon