There are no Government records in response to your request. A “government
record” is defined by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1.:

“Any paper, written or printed book, document, drawing, map, plan,
photograph, microfilm, data processed or image processed document,
information stored or maintained electronically or by sound-recording or
in a similar device, or any copy thereof, that has been made, maintained
or kept in the course of his or its official business by an officer,
commission, agency, or authority of the State or of any political
subdivision thereof, including subordinate boards thereof, or that has
been received in the course of his or its official business by any such
officer, commission, agency or authority of the State or of any political
subdivision thereof, including subordinate boards thereof. The terms shall
not include inter-agency or intra-agency advisory, consultative, or
deliberative material.”    

The Petition requested was prepared by a private individual or group. It
was not made, maintained or kept in the course of any Municipal officials
business or by any entity affiliated with the Village.  

Based upon information and belief, it was provided by the preparer(s) of
the Petition for a candidate in the November 8, 2022 municipal election,
who is also a present elected official, and used by that individual
candidate only at the League of Women Voters debate and returned to the
preparer(s) after the debate.

No copy or record of it was kept by the candidate . No copy or record was
provided to the Village. It was seen by a different council member who
viewed it as part of the campaign staff helping the candidate in her bid
for re-election.  

Reference was made to it at the October 26, 2022 Council Workshop meeting
as a result of a member of the public questioning the Councilmember of its
existence and wanting a copy. It was not referred to or discussed at the
meeting as part of the official business of the Village.

Lastly, a search of Village records disclosed no copy of it. The Village
is not in possession of,  nor does it control the existence of the
Petition requested. The Village cannot force the preparer(s) to return it
or provide a copy of it.  

At this time, we will consider this request closed and our obligation
satisfied.

Eileen Young

Deputy Village Clerk

Village of Ridgewood

131 North Maple Avenue

Ridgewood NJ 07450

201-670-5500 x2205

Notice: You are advised that copies of correspondence, including e-mail
correspondence and attachments, between the public and the Village of
Ridgewood are obtainable by any person filing a request under the Open
Public Records Act (OPRA) unless subject to a specific OPRA exception.
There should be no expectation that the content of emails exchanged
between the public and municipal officials and employees will remain
private.