Resolution approved to endorse “Governor Murphy’s Directive to investigate JCP&L”

Frank L. Cahill
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Resolution approved to endorse “Governor Murphy’s Directive to investigate JCP&L”

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council passed Resolution No. R2018-45, “Endorsing Governor Murphy’s Directive to The Board of Public Utilities to investigate and hold hearings on how Jersey Central Power & Light responded to the recent Winter storms leaving thousands of Township Residents without power.”

The resolution passed 3-2, with Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani voting against the Resolution.

Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., stated “I think it is important that this issue be looked into. I know the crews on the road worked very hard at restoring power but if something was not handled correctly by upper management then that needs to be addressed, so that power outages are handled more efficiently in the future. The investigation may turn up nothing but at least the state is doing its due diligence. I have no idea why Mr. dePierro and Ms. Gragnani would vote no in supporting this investigation. I have spoken to many residents in town who were without power for many days, they deserve answers.”

“This resolution focuses on the company’s management. Their preparedness and investment not the efforts of the workers,” said Council Vice President Janice McCarthy.
Councilwoman Emily Peterson stated “With this resolution we give the residents of Parsippany the opportunity to report what happened to them during the storm response, good or bad. We want to give people the opportunity to tell their story when and where it matters.”

“JCP&L is a utility that reports to the Board of Public Utilities. The BPU is already investigating JCP&L’s slow response to the outages at the Governor’s request. I read that JCP&L had 1400 telephone poles down and 2800 miles of cable to run. This was compounded by downed trees blocking many roads. The BPU will determine if better planning or  preparations could have improved upon that. No-one likes to experience power outages, including my family. My home was without power for 11 days during Hurricane Sandy. I just felt that this Resolution was unnecessary. We will all read about the results of the BPU’s findings and recommendations for improvement when their investigation is complete, stated Councilman Michael dePierro.

The resolution read:

TOWNSHIP OF PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION R2018-045: RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL ENDORSING
GOVERNOR MURPHY’S DIRECTIVE TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO INVESTIGATE AND HOLD HEARINGS ON HOW JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT RESPONDED TO THE RECENT WINTER STORMS LEAVING THOUSANDS OF TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER

WHEREAS, many residents and businesses of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
(the “Township”) have been without power since the March 2, 2018 Nor’easter storm; and

WHEREAS, thousands of additional Township residents and businesses lost power during the March 7, 2018 snow storm; and

WHEREAS, at the height of the most recent storm, more than 350,000 New Jersey residents were without power; and

WHEREAS, Jersey Central Power & Light (“JCP&L”), which services the Township, has been identified as the utility company responsible for the most outages; and

WHEREAS, JCP&L has failed to restore power to Township residents and businesses in a timely manner, which has jeopardized the public health, safety and well-being of Township residents; and

WHEREAS, Governor Philip D. Murphy has directed the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“BPU”) to complete an assessment and investigation of how state utility companies responded to these winter storms leaving hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents without power; and

WHEREAS, Governor Murphy has further announced that as part of the investigation hearings will be held in areas served by JCP&L.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, County of Morris, State of New Jersey as follows:

  1. That the aforesaid recitals are hereby adopted and incorporated herein as if repeated in full;
  2. The Township Council hereby endorses Governor Murphy’s directive to the BPU to complete an assessment and investigation of JCP&L’s response to the recent winter storms and its inability to timely and efficiently restore electric service to the residents of the Township.
  3. The Township Council hereby requests that the Mayor pursue all available actions to ensure that the BPU hold hearings in the Township as part of its investigation so that JCP&L’s response to winter storms in the Township can be properly assessed and remedies to JCP&L’s deficient service can be identified;
  4. If any part of this Resolution shall be deemed invalid, such parts shall be severed and the invalidity thereby shall not affect the remaining parts of this Resolution.
  5. A copy of this resolution shall be available for public inspection at the offices of the Town Clerk.
  6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS A TRUE AND LAWFUL COPY OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, COUNTY OF MORRIS, STATE OF NEW JERSEY AT ITS MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2018.

 

Township Council Passes Marijuana Resolution; 3-2

Frank L. Cahill
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Township Council Passes Marijuana Resolution; 3-2

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council passed Resolution R2018-044 on Tuesday, March 20. The resolution “Township Expressing Its Opposition to Proposed Legislation to Permit the Recreational Use of Marijuana in the State of New Jersey,” was passed 3-2. Councilwoman Emily Peterson and Council Vice President Janice McCarthy voted against the resolution.

Councilman Michael dePierro

Before introducing the Resolution, Councilman Michael dePierro stated “There are studies, one of them from National Academies of Scientists, Engineering and Medicine. They did a pretty thorough study, and I can’t pretend to understand a lot of medical journals and technical journal, but the statement I made when I introduced this ordinance was prenatal, perinatal and neonatal exposure. With this substance taken enough times; Alcohol is more soluble, so your body dissipates everything you drank, within seven hours its out of your body. It’s gone. But  marijuana component in there THC is fat-soluble, that’s absorbed by the fat cells in your body, and it stays there for a very long time. And the second time you smoke and get more, it builds up, its cumulative in your body. This can affect young people and it definitely affects pregnant people or women who expecting to become pregnant.”

TOWNSHIP OF PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
RESOLUTION R2018-044:
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS TOWNSHIP EXPRESSING ITS OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO PERMIT THE RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY 

WHEREAS, recent news stories have indicated that the Governor of the State of New Jersey will move to legalize recreational marijuana use within bis first 100 days in office; and WHEREAS, the United States of America outlaws recreational cannabis pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act, 21 USC Section 811; and

WHEREAS, only eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana; and

WHEREAS, Colorado, one of the states that legalized recreational marijuana has seen an increase in documented traffic deaths involving drivers that had used marijuana (in 2013, the year before marijuana was fully legalized in Colorado, there were 55 documented traffic deaths and in 2016 the number was 125); and

WHEREAS, in 2016 the Rocky Mountain High Density Drug Trafficking Area (RMHDDTA) annual report shows that the number of medical marijuana centers in Colorado is greater than the number of Starbucks coffee shops, and the number of recreational marijuana outlets is greater than the number of McDonald’s Restaurants; and

WHEREAS, the RMHDDTA report also demonstrates that marijuana use among Colorado teens aged 12 to 17 is 74% above the national average; and

WHEREAS, medical marijuana is generally carefully controlled for the amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol generally referred to as “THC”; recreational marijuana, on the other hand, is specifically designed to have as much “THC” as possible; and

WHEREAS, “THC” is known to impair physical function in the user including reaction time while operating a vehicle and the user’s ability to perceive danger; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey utilizes Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) to determine whether someone is under the influence of a drug including marijuana when operating a motor vehicle and there is no current objective standard for operating under the influence of drugs like marijuana as compared to standards established for driving while intoxicated (.08%); and

WHEREAS, the enforcement of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs such as marijuana is very difficult; and

WHEREAS, many health professionals consider marijuana a “gateway” drug; and

WHEREAS, the opioid epidemic is well known to residents of the County of Morris and the State of New Jersey even though opioids are currently “legal” and available by prescription and has not been controlled and, in fact, has become an epidemic.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills that its opposes legislation that would permit the recreational use of marijuana in the State of New Jersey; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Parsippany Township Clerk shall forward a certified true copy of this resolution to the Governor of the State of New Jersey, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey, the members of the Morris County Legislative Delegation, the members of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the Mayor and Council of all municipalities within the County of Morris.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS A TRUE AND LAWFUL COPY OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, COUNTY OF MORRIS, STATE OF NEW JERSEY AT ITS MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2018.

Letter to the editor: They warn we’ve woken up one day in a Sanctuary City

Frank L. Cahill
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parsippany focusDear Editor: 

If you tune into the din of certain ‘conservative’ circles, you’d hear of a storm raging, a twister blowing through our neighborhood and state. They warn we’ve woken up one day in a Sanctuary City. Yet, in truth, they make it out as though we’ve woken up in Oz.
The clarion call to ward against the creeping clouds that crawl towards our communities are just tall tales, fanciful stories on par with those of L. Frank Baum. The Sanctuary City, which really sounds like a shining, emerald village, is a lawless region. Certain ‘conservatives’ will retort with well-rehearsed rote that we live in a Sanctuary City; the police fail to act and cooperation is absent amongst civil servants; the rule of law does not exist; our neighbors are suspicion at least and guilty at worst; the currency is crime. This has come to be because the wizards, from our governor down to our mayor and town administrations, have pulled the levers of power, cloaked with smoke and mirrors.
This story can be summed up with one word: wicked. It’s sensationalism paints the brick-road yellow. It belittles us to mere Munchkins. We and our neighbors do not cower in fear; we are actively involved in building the community that’s best for our families. To say that our communities are anything but safe or welcoming loses sight of why we call them home. More so, ‘conservative’ fantasies on Sanctuary Cities make Scarecrow and Tinmen of our men and women in uniform. Our local police have a heart, and know how to serve the community. Listening to the hyperbole, one would be fooled to think our service members would put politics over people. Brainless, too, certain circles contend, are our police, who cannot figure out with which federal agencies to cooperate! Our men and women in uniform are smart enough to know how to do their jobs, working with whomever will get the job done. The ‘conservative’ script is wrong; our civil servants know how to serve the community with heart and with their brains uphold the law sworn to protect.
So, when you hear of mythical lands, absent law but full of magic, like the tall tale of Sanctuary Cities, consider the alternative. Close your eyes, clap your heels together three times, say, “there’s no place like home,” and then open your eyes; see the wonderful community in which you live, wave to your neighbor, kiss your child before they go to school, and go to work.
Gordo Space

Woman’s Club Donates to Parsippany Library’s Spheros Robotic Learning Program

Frank L. Cahill
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Woman’s Club Donates to Parsippany Library’s Spheros Robotic Learning Program

PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) just made a generous donation to the Parsippany Library System to purchase six additional Spheros, an app enabled robotic ball for students to play with and at the same time learn programming and coding.  Students can program and drive the Sphero robots using the Sphero Edu app on a Smartphone or tablet. The Parsippany Library System uses the Sphero robots during STEAM programs and at outreach visits to Parsippany area schools. The Sphero robots encourage endless creativity and at the same time learning in children.For more information on Spheros click here.

WCPTH holds fundraisers throughout the year to support its many educational programs. Besides this donation to the library, WCPTH awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, Citizenship Awards to graduating 8th graders, 5th Grade Reading Awards, a Spelling Bee, and Dr. Seuss reading events.

This year the Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills’ primary fundraiser, its 37th Annual Tee Off for Education Golf Classic & Luncheon, will be held on Tuesday, July 10 at the Knoll Country Club.  If you would like to attend the event, please contact Marilyn Z. at (973) 539-3703 or WCPTH, Golf Outing, P.O. Box 98, Parsippany, NJ 07054.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.   Upcoming General Meetings are on Monday, March 26 and on Monday, April 23, both at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Building, 100 Centerton Drive.

For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, or click here to view their website.

Meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please contact Cathy (Membership Chairman) if interested in attending a meeting or to confirm date and time.

Parsippany Resident Attends National United Nations Leadership Summit

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Resident Attends National United Nations Leadership Summit

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Colin Smith, 15, recently attended the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets Leadership Summit in Washington DC.

Smith, a sophomore at Parsippany Hills High School, has conducted fundraising events during the Parsippany Adult and Communication Education’s (PACE) “Wide World of Summer” camp program held at Central Middle School. “Wide World of Summer” is an eight-week camp program filled with outdoor sports and indoor activities, educational enrichment programs and field trips. Smith is a member of the camp’s Counselor in Training leadership program.

Smith’s programs have raised money for the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign. The campaign aims to prevent malaria, a leading cause of death among children in Africa by purchasing and distributing long-lasting, insecticide-treated anti-mosquito nets, and educating families on their use. Smith’s fundraising activities included a soccer goal shootout, basketball shooting contests and a collection jug for spare change. In partnership with his sister Jacqueline, the Smith siblings have now raised a total of $4,000 for the organization, enough for 400 nets for families in affected countries. Both Colin and Jacqueline have been named to the Nothing But Nets “Champions Council” for their efforts.  Colin recently attended the non-profit Leadership Summit in Washington DC, including scientific discussions, leading advocacy sessions on Capitol Hill, networking opportunities with United Nations leaders, and discussion of future fundraising events. His future malaria advocacy projects include events in conjunction with World Malaria Day on April 25, and continuing Wide World of Summer educational activities.

Soriano plans Town Hall meeting for Sedgefield/Glacier Hills area

Frank L. Cahill
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Soriano plans Town Hall meeting for Sedgefield/Glacier Hills area

PARSIPPANY — If you live in the Sedgefield/Glacier Hills area, join Mayor Soriano’s series of neighborhood Town Halls to speak with your public officials. Mayor Soriano would like to hear your comments, questions and concerns on how to improve your quality of life in Sedgefield and Glacier Hills. This meeting will be held on March 27 at 7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions about the event, feel free to email Tom Jones, Public Information Officer at tjones@parsippany.net

Please be advised this meeting is not a meeting that is open to the governing body nor will it be held with the intent to discuss or act upon specific public business. A quorum will not be present and no formal action will be taken.

This Town Hall meeting will be held at Brooklawn Middle School, 250 Beachwood Road.

Click here to make a reservation.

Sponsors Wanted: Spring Family-Friendly Parsippany Walk/Run Event

Frank L. Cahill
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Sponsors Wanted: Spring Family-Friendly Parsippany Walk/Run Event

PARSIPPANY — Diverse demographics. Prominent advertiser banner and giveaway bags that can include your premium items, coupons or business cards.

The Lake Hiawatha School PTA is hosting its 3rd annual Fundraising Rainbow Run event at Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, on Friday, April 27.

Sponsors are needed now!

This outdoor event is attended by local children, parents and citizens throughout the community. There is live entertainment, food and giveaways. Each run/walk participant receives a bag with premium items and coupons donated by sponsors. In addition, there are prizes that are awarded over the loudspeaker. All of these marketing opportunities are available, and the PTA is open to other creative messaging ideas that allow you to promote your business, and participate in this wholesome, spring activity.

All proceeds raised from the event will be used to support Lake Hiawatha School’s cultural art assemblies, field trips, classroom supplies and other opportunities that help children in our community.

All donations of products, services or financial contribution are greatly appreciated. Your donation is fully tax deductible, as the Lake Hiawatha School PTA is a non-profit, tax exempt, charitable institution. Please contact Halia Centeno, Lake Hiawatha School Committee Chair at haliacolor@gmail.com to sign up to be a sponsor today, or for more information.

Kiwanis Club to host “Trivia Night”

Frank L. Cahill
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Kiwanis Club to host “Trivia Night”

PARSIPPANY — It’s back again, for the 16th consecutive year. The Ultimate Trivia Contest will be held on Saturday, April 14. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and Trivia starts at 7:00 p.m. Gather your friends, family, co-workers and come out for a night of fun. Each team can have up to eight people.

2017 First place winners: Michele Reutty, Joanne Roukens, Arlene Sahraie, Kelsey Young, Tim Dartucci, Sara Weissman, Cristian Maiullo and Steve Vega. Will you be the 2018 winner?

Bring your own food and BYOB. Soda, coffee, water, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils will be provided.

To play fair there are a few simple rules: The use of ANY electronic device whatsoever during competition will immediately disqualify the offending team. This includes but is not limited to I-Pod’s, PDA’s, ICBM’s, drones, etc. The use of printed material such as encyclopedias, almanacs, National Geographic, and the like, is strictly prohibited and of course no tweeting!

The fee is $20.00 per person. The event is held at Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.

For more information or to download a flyer, click here.

Please bring an extra, non-perishable food item to be donated to our community food bank.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany chooses their own service projects that they feel need their attention. They are all local people that volunteer our time and talents to make our community a better place to live. The members, like you, are busy with making a living, church, family, and many other activities. The members, however, have found that Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany not gives a chance to give back to the community in a meaningful way, but they enjoy the fellowship, networking, and fun aspects as well.

If you are interested in Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, visit the group Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. You can also find more information by clicking here.

Girls on the Run of New Jersey East To Offer Spring Program at Veterans Memorial Park

Frank L. Cahill
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Girls on the Run of New Jersey East To Offer Spring Program at Veterans Memorial Park

PARSIPPANY — Girls on the Run of New Jersey East will serve Parsippany-area girls at its Veterans Memorial Park program site the spring, which will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires girls in third through eighth grade to be joyful, healthy, and confident. The volunteer-led program brings together groups of 8-20 girls for a ten-week program that encourages personal development, team building, and connection to the community while training to complete a 5K run.

Participation in Girls on the Run results in lasting, transformative change in the lives of girls. “Madison,” an alumna of a local GOTR site who now serves as a junior coach, shares about the program’s impact: “The Girls on the Run lessons have helped me throughout my life. I remember being more confident after Girls on the Run. I was so inspired to make a difference, especially after completing the community impact project. It made me the person I am now, caring and inspiring others, and it’s why I coach now. It shaped me into the person I am today.”

Girls on the Run New Jersey East was established in 2000 and has impacted more than 10,000 girls throughout Burlington, Mercer, Essex, Morris, and Union Counties. GOTR is generously supported by presenting sponsor R. Seelaus & Company, Inc., a Summit, NJ-based financial services firm. The program fee for the spring season is $199, and financial assistance is available based on a sliding scale. Visit the Girls on the Run of New Jersey East website, girlsontherunnj.org, for more information about the program and to register for the spring season.  

Girls on the Run is a national physical activity-based positive youth development program that results in lasting, transformative change in the lives of 3rd-8th grade girls. Participants learn critical life skills such as helping others, resolving conflict, managing emotions, and making intentional decisions. Each session is led by trained volunteer coaches who guide and mentor the girls. The ten-week program concludes with all participants completing a celebratory 5K event, which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Girls on the Run has served nearly 1.5 million girls since its inception in 1996.

Foster Families need to foster puppies

Frank L. Cahill
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Foster Families need to foster puppies

RANDOLPH — To All Dog Lovers! Our rescue group needs more foster families, would you like to help us?

Furever Home Dog Rescue needs foster homes!  As a shelterless rescue, we don’t have a building where our dogs are housed until they get adopted.  We are lucky enough to have loving foster families who open their hearts and homes to our dogs until they are placed. However,  we need more foster homes so we can save more dogs! You can try it once and see how rewarding it can be, you even get to pick the puppy or dog you want to foster!

Fosters open their homes (usually a month or two on average) to foster a pup until they are adopted to their furever homes.  Fostering is a rewarding experience and you will help save a dogs life. There are puppies, young dogs, adult dogs and special needs dogs of different breeds that need foster homes, and our foster families choose the type of pup they want to foster.

Every month we save dozens of wonderful dogs from the southern kill shelters or the Caribbean kill shelter and place them in safe, nurturing homes.  Please consider joining us in the effort to help even more of these wonderful dogs get a second chance, we would love to have you!

With your help, we can save more dogs from being euthanized simply because there is a lack of space at the shelter. If you would like to be a part of our rescue efforts and are interested in short term fostering, please email FureverHomeDotRescue@gmail.com

The more fosters we have, the more dogs we can save!

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