TRENTON —Legislation Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi has championed for more than two years allowing local emergency volunteers to continue volunteering in their communities without fear of losing their state pension if they retire from their paying job continues to advance.
The bill (A1627) unanimously cleared by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee in February. It passed unanimously in both houses of the Legislature last session, but was pocket vetoed by then Gov. Chris Christie without explanation
“As you are aware I have been, for quite a few years, trying to get this passed,” said Schepisi (R-Bergen). “Everybody knows volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities.”
An interpretation of IRS code requires retiring police officers, teachers, government employees also be separated from any position with the town for a minimum of six months in order to receive their pension payment. Volunteer firefighters, EMTs and other first-responders are being forced to resign or risk losing their pensions as a result.
Schepisi explained that volunteers and communities have been in a state of limbo due to inconsistent opinions from the pension board on whether a volunteer must stop providing services to a community in order to receive a pension upon retirement from an unrelated municipal job.
She has fought for the legislation she said because it protects the volunteers and mitigates the effect on towns that struggle to find and retain round-the-clock protection for their community.
“Volunteer first responders are critical to our communities,” said Bucco (R-Morris), a 37-year member of the Boonton Volunteer Fire Department. “They protect lives and property twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week while providing millions of dollars of tax savings for residents. A volunteer who saves someone in cardiac arrest or runs into a burning building to rescue a neighbor shouldn’t have to risk losing their retirement income. It’s absurd. This bill gives them the financial protections they deserve.”
Seventy-five percent of fire departments are all-volunteer in New Jersey, and 18 percent have paid and volunteer responders. There are 579 volunteer fire departments in the state and 49 career fire departments. The volunteers often hold paying jobs with local municipalities.
Other bill sponsors include Assemblymen Robert Auth (R-Bergen) and John DiMaio (R-Warren).
RANDOLPH — Two County College of Morris (CCM) students are the recipients of the 2018 Japanese Language and Culture Study Award granted by the New Jersey Association of Teachers of Japanese.
Lee J. Matechak, of Long Valley, and Kwan Seasun, of Lake Hopatcong, were nominated to receive the award by CCM Japanese Professor Ayako Morrell for their commitment to learning Japanese language and culture.
CCM offers courses in Japanese along with 11 other languages including American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. To learn more about the language programs at CCM click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — As reported this past weekend, the Morris County Clerk’s Office has this year given out incorrect information to municipal clerks, political party committees and candidates regarding filing requirements to run for office in Morris County. Specifically, the number of signatures candidates were required to collect in order to appear on the ballot was short of the actual total needed in most cases.
“Americans of all political stripes are justifiably concerned about the integrity of our elections process,” stated Shala Gagliardi, the opponent of County Clerk Ann Grossi in this year’s general election. “Mistakes like this have the potential to leave countless candidates for office off of the ballot through no fault of their own, and irreversibly distort the choices presented to voters in this year’s election.”
Over a thousand candidates running for county committee seats throughout Morris County may be affected by the error, which has been documented in recent electronic exchanges between the Morris County Clerk’s Office and various governmental and political entities. As of this time, a determination of what will happen to those candidates who collected fewer signatures than required based on the County Clerk’s instructions has not been announced.
“The fact that a clear state statute (N.J.S.A. 19:23-8) governing the very first step in the yearly election process has gone unheeded for Clerk Grossi’s entire tenure is unnerving, particular as she is an attorney herself,” Gagliardi continued. “Given the facts, I am calling for an audit of the election practices in the Morris County Clerk’s Office by an independent agency, to determine whether any other election laws have been ignored, misinterpreted, overlooked or unenforced. I am asking that all Morris County leaders with a stake in the elections process join me in ensuring that our laws are followed and that the public can have justifiable faith in the democratic process.”
The Morris County Freeholder Board has the power to appoint an independent attorney to audit practices within county departments, including the Clerk’s Office. The New Jersey Attorney General also has the power to conduct an investigation.
“The buck always stops at the top, and County Clerk Ann Grossi must take responsibility for this mistake,” Gagliardi concluded. “Both Democrats and Republicans may be affected; if there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that our elections must be free, fair, transparent and conducted fully in accordance with the letter of the law.”
PARSIPPANY — The Boy Scouts of America is presenting “Parsippany Good Scout” awards to six Parsippany residents on Wednesday, April 25 at the Knoll Country Club – West.
Mo Abdelhadi, co-owner of Parsippany IHOP; Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce; Al Goldberg, Parsippany-Troy Hills Emergency Management; Carlos Guzman, President Sedgefield Association; Adam Bahaa Kandil, Director Islamic Center of Morris County and Carol Tiesi, Educator Parsippany-Troy Hills School District are among the Parsippany residents being honored.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Eagle Scout Class of 1985, will be delivering the opening remarks at the ceremony, followed by Co-Chair and Master of Ceremonies Karen DeChristopher and Robert Peluso.
The event is being held at Knoll Country Club – West, 12 Knoll Drive, Boonton on Wednesday, April 28. Gathering and Reception starts at 6:30 p.m. and Dinner and Program starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $85.00 each. Click here to reserve tickets.
Carlos Guzman
Carlos I. Guzman moved to Parsippany, from the state of New York in September of 1993. He soon thereafter joined the oldest neighborhood Civic Association of Parsippany-Troy-Hills, as a Trustee. The Sedgefield Civic Association was incorporated in the State of New Jersey back in 1952. He then became a four term President of the organization that has recognized the Boy Scout Troop #173 since its beginning in the early 1950`s and as of this January 1, 2018, the association also charters a Scout group called “Venturers” that offers older scouts to continue to participate in outings and other scouting events.
Carlos was born in Bronx, New York. He lived part of his teenage life in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He returned to the Bronx and studied Business Administration and Criminal Law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Baruch College of the City of New York. He has taken a few positions that he will never forget. After his education, Carlos, was hired by the late owner of Goya Foods Inc., (Joseph Unanue) to work for the most famous and popular Spanish food company in the world, where he worked in their marketing and sales department before moving on to a food distributor “Metro Food Distribution and Supermarket stores” as a General operations manager. He then worked for the Quaker Oats Company as an executive sales representative. After many years in the management and sales industry, Carlos, changed careers and worked as a Law Enforcement Officer for the City of New York where he retired. Carlos married his lovely wife, Irma in 1980 at the main altar of the prominent Catholic landmark, “Saint Patrick’s Cathedral” located on Fifth Avenue in New York City, where many dignitaries and famous personalities have done the same. They are proud parents to two daughters Priscilla and Crystal. He also volunteered as a Girl Scout co-leader and a Spanish teacher at Saint Christopher’s School.
Carol Tiesi
Carol Tiesi has been a proud resident of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills since 1964. She moved to the township with her family from Hudson County. In the fall of 1964, she began her career as a student in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District as she entered Central Middle Junior High. After her graduation from Central Middle Junior High, she entered Parsippany High School and proudly graduated from PHS in June of 1969. Carol’s dream was to be an elementary school educator since her fourth grade days at Robert Waters School in Union City. She received her undergraduate degree and her Art Degree from William Paterson University in 1973. In the fall of 1973, her dream became reality. Carol was hired by the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District and her first teaching position in the district was at Mt. Tabor School, teaching third grade. She went on to teach at Northvail School, grades Kindergarten, first, second, and third. Carol presently teaches third grade at Littleton School. She has also taught Kindergarten and second grade at Littleton. I guess you can say that Carol never left the classroom! Everyday in the classroom is an adventure. She learns something new and exciting from her students everyday! During her teaching career, Carol has received The New Jersey Governor’s Teaching Recognition Program Award in 1989 and The Parsippany-Troy Hills Distinguished Faculty Award in 1993. Carol is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, MU Chapter, an honorary sorority comprised of women educators. She has served as Altruistic Chairperson, Historian, President-Elect, and President of the sorority. She has been a member of this organization for over 25 years. Carol serves on the Board of the Parsippany Child Daycare Center and is a Trustee on the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society Board.
Carol joined the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany in 2009 and is an active member of the organization. She presently serves as the Director of Community and is the Lt. Governor-Elect for District 9 for 2017-18 and 2018-2019. She has also served as President-Elect, President, and President of the Foundation of her club. She received the George F. Hixon Fellowship Award in 2011 and the Kiwanian of the Year Award in 2016. Carol has cooks at Homeless Solutions, helps to organize the annual Breakfast with Santa at the Parsippany Child Daycare Center, serves on the Touch a Truck Committee, organizes the annual Back to School supply collection for the township, helps to organize the Kiwanis tables at the annual Parsippany Street Fair in the Fall, and is a member of the Prevent Child Abuse Pinwheel Committee. After Carol joined Kiwanis, she felt the need to form a K-Kids Club at Littleton School with her colleagues. The children have collected pajamas for less fortunate children, provided books for the local daycare center, raised money for the St. Jude’s Math-a-thon, collected over 500 cans of soup for the local Parsippany Food Pantry (SOUPER Bowl), designed valentines for local veterans’ groups, beautified the school grounds with pumpkins for Halloween, participated in Trick of Treat for UNICEF to provide money for ELIMINATE, and participated in the township Memorial Day Parade.
Al Goldberg
Al Goldberg grew up in Brooklyn NY. He is a member of boy scout troop 282. Al served in U.S. Navy Submarine Service and worked for Xerox for 25 years as a Customer Service Engineer. Al moved to Lake Hiawatha in 1985 and met his wife, Valerie in 1986. They just celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. Al became aware of CERT at 2010 Parsippany Day. He joined CERT and continued to take courses as an active member. In 2015, he earned his technician ham radio license and was recently promoted to Assistant Radio Officer. RACES is the emergency communications component of the OEM. They maintain the radios at the EOC-OEM and RACES provides communications for Cert. They have the ability to be the 911 call center for the town if there is a problem at police headquarters. Al attended both semesters of the Parsippany Citizens Police Academy regularly attends Town Council meetings. Al is also a member of the county animal response team and is a state certified Animal Control Officer. He is a Senior Evaluator for the Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs and volunteers at St. Hubert’s animal welfare center working with special-needs dogs. Al is pleased to be able to give back to the community.
BettyLou DeCroce
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce is a distinguished legislator with extensive local and state government knowledge, an unparalleled behind-the-scenes perspective, and a spirit of bipartisanship.DeCroce serves on several legislative committees and commissions including: Transportation & Independent Authorities, the Joint Committee on Public Schools, Banking and Insurance, Science & Technology, Pretrial Services Review Commission, the Intergovernmental Relations Commission, and the Manufacturing Caucus. She has received numerous awards, including the NJ Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Legislator of the Year; Defender of the Taxpayer Award, for her advocacy of common-sense measures to reduce taxes and create jobs; two time finalist Leading Women Entrepreneur Award; and was recognized by the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey. Prior to serving in the New Jersey State Legislature, DeCroce served as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in Governor Chris Christie’s Administration, where she authored the Best Practices for Municipalities, which became a statewide model for identifying efficiencies in local government for reducing property taxes, and recognized nationwide. DeCroce began her government service career as a Councilwoman in Mine Hill. She then went on to from there to serve as Municipal Clerk, Deputy Township Manager and Planning Board Member in Roxbury, and served eleven years on the Board of Adjustment in Parsippany. DeCroce also served as the first Chair-Woman of the Morris County Joint Insurance Fund, comprised of forty municipalities, where she achieved savings through shared services and negotiated healthcare. DeCroce brings business-savvy and a small business perspective to the Legislature as President and Owner of ERA Gallo & DeCroce Realtors, a real estate firm in Morris County for over forty-six years; and as Vice President of AD Holdings, a home construction company. She has been declared one of the 50 Best Women in Business by NJBIZ and an NJ Monthly finalist for Leading Women Entrepreneur and Business Owner. In addition, DeCroce was selected to participate in The Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration. DeCroce resides in Parsippany, New Jersey and enjoys spending time with her two sons and four grandchildren.
Mo Abdelhadi
Mo Abdelhadi is the co-owner of Parsippany IHOP. Mo began his IHOP career at the tender age of 15 as a part-time summer job in 2003, working with his brother Sobhy Abdelhady who was a manager at the time. IHOP has been Mo’s first and only job. Two years later Sobhy went on to become an IHOP franchisee. Graduated from Morristown High School in 2006, Mo followed Sobhy’s footsteps by enrolling in Fairleigh Dickinson University and majoring in Hospitality. Mo worked through the ranks from host to server to assistant manager to eventually becoming general manager and now Co-Owner. Over the years of working with Sobhy, Mo learned the importance of being apart and helping your community. IHOP is always looking to host a fundraiser, car wash, donate goods, participate in an event or giving back in other ways to help our community. When Mo is not at IHOP making pancakes he’s either playing soccer or spending time with his wife Juliana and their dogs’ Oreo and Toby. Mo and Sobhy owns three IHOP’s, Elizabeth, Parsippany, Ramsey and will be opening their fourth location in Cedar Knolls shortly.
Adam Bahaa Kandil
Adam Bahaa Kandil was born and raised in Parsippany. Adam is a graduate of Parsippany High School Class of 2002, and then graduated in 2006 from Rutgers School of Engineering and graduated in 2006. He was the captain of Rutgers Soccer Team. Currently he works as a Civil Engineer and is licensed in both New Jersey and New York. He is also a partner in a IT/Technology Firm. Adam is a Director of the Islamic Center of Morris and serves on the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee. He is proud Husband of Dalia and father of two boys: Yaseen, 6, and Yousuf, 3, and a baby girl, Dania.
Kandil grew up and maintains a passion for sports and currently coaches both Youth Soccer and Basketball. Adam loves working with youth and is heavily involved with youth events. He is a big advocate for healthy youth social activities and human rights. He strives to keep kids away from drugs and assist to counsel them and feels that it’s very important for youth to have a passion and set goals for themselves as it keeps them focus and their eye on the prize, which keeps them away from trouble.
PARSIPPANY — Looking for the perfect small dog companion? You came to the right place! Cesar is an 8-year old male Chihuahua mix.
He is spunky and full of love! He enjoys playing with toys and going for walks around the neighborhood! Cesar also loves to snuggle and watch TV with his foster dad!
He does great with dogs, cats, and children above the age of six. He would make a wonderful addition to any family who can provide him with unconditional love!
If you are interested in adopting Cesar, please fill out an application by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
Wise Animal Rescue’s (W.A.R.) goal is to find the perfect family dynamic and place our dogs in a loving, safe and permanent home. All of our dogs available for adoption are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots and microchipped.
Our adoption process starts with filling an application, home visit, meet and greet and then finalizing with an adoption contract and fee.
Adoption fees range from about $300.00 to $600.00. These fees help defray costs of veterinary and foster care and are tax deductible.
MORRIS COUNTY — Local cancer survivors will take the celebratory first lap and their caregivers will join them for the second lap at the annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life event on Saturday, May 5 at Morristown Armory, 430 Washington, Morristown. The Survivors Lap will begins after the 4:00 opening ceremony.
Anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers are encouraged to join the celebration. As the survivors walk, other participants touched by cancer in some way, will cheer them on in a demonstration of support and celebration. Survivors and their caregiver are invited to attend a very special dinner given in their honor at 5:30 p.m.
The Relay For Life is a community event where teams and individuals come together to honor, celebrate, and raise funds & awareness in an effort to free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer. There are three points to every Relay for Life Event, Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back. The celebration portion includes a special dinner for any cancer Survivor and their Caregiver. The remembrance portion includes a moving Luminaria Ceremony in which friends and loved-ones lost to cancer are remembered. The entire event is a way of fighting back against cancer by raising the much needed funds. 93% of the money raised will help the American Cancer Society provide free information and support for people facing the disease today, and fund continuous cancer research that will help protect future generations from all types of cancer.
We invite everyone to attend this Relay For Life event, the theme for this year’s Relay will be “Carnival for a Cure.” There will be inspiring speakers that have been touched by cancer, special music, themed laps, a Frozen T-shirt contest, Face-Painting for children, games and other fun activities, entertainment throughout the course of the event, as well as food, beverages, goodies and so much more.
By supporting Relay For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
Thanks to our sponsors Everest Reinsurance, Western Pest Services, and Parsippany Applebee’s.
If you are a cancer survivor, caregiver or have been touch by cancer in some way and would like to be part of the Relay For Life event, click here , or call Sarah Greulich at (973) 285-8030.
PARSIPPANY — The Webber for Congress campaign announced it raised over $233,000.00 since Jay joined the race for the Republican nomination for Congress in the 11th Congressional District in February.
Assemblyman Jay Webber
Assemblyman Jay Webber said “I am truly humbled by the generous support I’ve received from hundreds of donors who have rallied to our cause. The first fundraising event was held on March 15, and to raise over $233,000 in the weeks leading up to the end of the first quarter is a testament to the energy and enthusiasm of our campaign and its donor base.”
He continued: “I intend to run a campaign that will bring our message of lower taxes, strong national defense, and safe communities to each of the 54 municipalities in the district and this extremely strong fundraising start will give us the resources to do just that. In the coming days we’ll be launching enhanced voter contact efforts that will drive our supporters to the polls and let the voters of NJ-11 know why our campaign is the one that will stand up for New Jersey values in Congress and be victorious in November.”
The Webber For Congress campaign will report:
· Over $233,000 raised
· $13,000 spent
· Cash On Hand of over $220,000
Jay Webber’s campaign for Congress is growing by the day. The campaign recently announced the endorsement of United States Senator Tom Cotton and the New Jersey Right To Life PAC, on the heels of the announcement of a new batch of 23 endorsements. Those endorsements are on top of the 114 prior announcements of support from local elected officials and Republican Party leaders. Jay looks forward to representing the Republican Party in November’s election and making sure the 11th Congressional District is represented by a common sense conservative focused on lowering taxes, protecting our citizens, and preserving our liberties.
PARSIPPANY — Former Parsippany Council Vice President Robert Peluso has announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy for Morris County Freeholder this morning.
Robert Peluso
“Unfortunately, my family obligations have changed dramatically in the last week. Due to personal issues confronting my family I will not be able to commit the time necessary to run a county-wide campaign effectively. After considering the needs of my family at this time, and the time required for a campaign, I feel I cannot proceed with the campaign. My family and I would like to thank everyone who supported me. I look forward to future contests and hope that I can serve our community in a different capacity during this time.”
Peluso, a Parsippany resident for nearly fifty years, earned his Masters of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s campus in Madison and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Montclair State University along with the completion of the Leadership Morris and Morris County Sheriff Citizen Police Academy. He is employed as a Government Banking Officer and has risen to the level of Vice President. He is also currently on the Advisory Board for the Morris County School of Technology, Chairman for the Parsippany Economic Development Committee and President of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce. Peluso resides in Parsippany with his wife Ildiko, and son Robert.
Freeholders Deborah Smith and John Cesaro’s seats are up on December 31, along with Christine Myers’ seat. Myers is not seeking re-election after accepting a job with the federal Small Business Administration.
Last week, Former Freeholder William “Hank” Lyon, 30, backed out of running for another term in the primary election in June, according to his Facebook post.
The remaining Republican candidates competing in the June primary for three-year freeholder seats are Smith, Cesaro, Former Morris County Freeholder John Krickus, former Mountain Lakes Mayor Stephen Shaw, and Mendham resident Aura Kenny Dunn.
Seeking the Democratic nomination are Vanessa Brown of Mendham Township, Mary Dougherty of Morristown, Rupande Mehta of Denville and Richard Corcoran of Boonton.
On Friday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m. the Morris County Board of Elections will be “pulling” the positions for the freeholders on the June primary ballot.
PARSIPPANY — Elementary Schools in the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township District in conjunction with Morris County Council of Education Association presents “Our Pride Is Showing.” The weeklong celebration of excellence highlights the outstanding work of students in Parsippany as well as other Morris County School Districts.
Visit Rockaway Townsquare Mall through Sunday, April 15 to see displays of student work, listen to vocal and instrumental performances and much more.
Students from Littleton Elementary School, Intervale Elementary School, Knollwood Elementary School, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School and Mt. Tabor all have displays set up in the JC Penny upper level courtyard.
