PARSIPPANY — The New Jersey State Police have arrested Sean Deckert, 29, Parsippany, and Joseph Ginexi, 26, Lincoln Park, and seized $2,200 worth of heroin during a motor vehicle stop.
On Wednesday, April 5, at 7:57 p.m., Trooper Gerald Dellagicoma stopped Deckert for a traffic violation on westbound Interstate 80 at milepost 56 in Woodland Park. During the stop, Trooper Dellagicoma arrested Deckert for DWI. After further investigation, Trooper Dellagicoma discovered that Deckert and Ginexi were in possession of 551 bags of heroin, hypodermic needles, and drug paraphernalia.
Sean Deckert and Joseph Ginexi were charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of hypodermic needles, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Deckert was also charged with criminal under the influence and DWI. Both were released pending a court appearance.
Troopers are getting drugs off of our streets daily, whether it’s from long-term invests to “routine” traffic stops.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — As reported in Parsippany Focus on January 13, 2016, Burger King at 1429 Route 46, corner of Baldwin Road will be closing to make room for Starbucks. Soon you will be able to order your Iced Carmel Macchiato or Caffè Americano closer to home. (click here for article).
This will be the second Starbucks coming to Parsippany. Parisppany Focus published news about the first Starbucks being built on Route 10, a 2,000 square foot cafe with a drive through (click here for article).
Sources at Burger King, told Parsippany Focus that Burger King will be closing by the end of this week to make room for Starbucks. When asked how long it will take to transform into Starbucks, the employee was unsure of the timeline.
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Deputy Freeholder Director John Cesaro, a Republican candidate for Assembly, says it’s time for real bail reform. He intends to use his experience as a freeholder, municipal prosecutor and municipal public defender to bring common sense to the issue.
“Unfortunately, Trenton sold the voters a bill of goods to get them to vote for bail reform in 2014 when they lead folks to believe the new law would be tough on crime,” John Cesaro said. “My own personal experience proves this to be untrue. Earlier this year, my parents were in a hit and run accident. The police caught the driver who was charged with two counts of assault with a vehicle resulting in bodily injury, driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.”
“In the past this man would have been taken to the county jail and held on bail,” Cesaro explained. “Not any more, instead he never saw the inside of a jail cell, paid no bail and sat in a police station until his father picked him up, took him home and tucked him into bed while my father laid in a hospital bed for ten days.”
“More recently, in Clifton the police arrested one man four times in 30 hours.” Cesaro described, “According to published news accounts the charges included possession of marijuana in the first arrest, the second arrest was for possession of synthetic marijuana, the third was possession of synthetic cannabinoid and the final arrest in 30 hours was driving while under the influence. Every time this individual was released with a summons.”
“In that Clifton situation, common sense dictated he should have been held after the second arrest, but not under the new bail reform laws,” Cesaro said. “This man was obviously a menace to society and would not have been allowed to leave with a summons in the past. Well intentioned ‘reforms’ should never be allowed to supersede commonsense.”
“Not only does the new bail reform law endanger the public but it is an unnecessary burden to the law-abiding taxpayers,” Cesaro said. “Here in Morris County bail reform has added $750,000 to the county budget, essentially making this law an unfunded mandate that endangers the general public. I will go to Trenton and fight to bring common sense improvements to this ill-conceived bail reform law.”
PARSIPPANY — Award winning author and political journalist Jonathan Alter will present the annual Joseph Gotthelf Holocaust Memorial Lecture at Temple Beth Am in Parsippany on Friday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Jonathan Alter
The May 12 lecture, sponsored by the Joseph Gotthelf Holocaust Memorial Fund, is part of the yearly commemoration of Yom Hashoah, a day set aside to memorialize those lost in the Holocaust. In a lecture titled “The Fragility of Democracy,” Alter will speak about “the threat that present political trends pose to world peace and the future of the Jewish people.” The lecture, during Shabbat services, is free and open to the public.
Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, reporter, columnist and television producer and analyst. He is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: “The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies”(2013), “The Promise: President Obama, Year One” (2010) and “The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope (2006), also one of the Times’ “Notable Books” of the year. Since 1996, Alter has been an analyst and contributing correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, appearing on-air two or three times a week. After 28 years as a columnist and senior editor at Newsweek, where he wrote more than 50 cover stories, Alter is now a twice-monthly columnist for the Daily Beast. He has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Washington Monthly, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The New Republic, Esquire, Bloomberg View and other publications.
He is an executive producer of “Alpha House,” a half-hour political comedy created by Garry Trudeau and starring John Goodman that is available for viewing on Amazon.com. He is at work on a full-length biography of former President Jimmy Carter and is producing a documentary about the lives of legendary journalists Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill.
Alter is chairman of the board of the Lukas Prize Project, which provides cash awards for non-fiction authors, and serves on the boards of The Blue Card, a national Jewish organization assisting Holocaust survivors, DonorsChoose, which allows teachers to post online proposals for classroom materials, the Bone Marrow Foundation, the Historians Advisory Council of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and the Montclair (NJ) Library Foundation. He is a resident of Montclair.
Celebrating their 51st year, Temple Beth Am is a Reform congregation with a diverse membership living throughout Morris County, including the towns of Parsippany, Boonton, Denville, Lake Hiawatha, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Randolph and Rockaway. We open our doors to adults and youth, singles and couples, Jews-by-birth and Jews-by-choice, and interfaith couples. Led by Rabbi Steven L. Mills and Rabbi/Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak, Temple Beth Am is an inclusive, warm and welcoming place for personal and communal prayer, solace and comfort, joyous celebration, community service, education and sharing as a vibrant Jewish congregation.
PARSIPPANY — Par-Troy Little League West held its Opening Night on Thursday, April 20 and kicked off the season with a parade, opening ceremony and games. One of the highlights of the evening was Alicia DePasquale Bozza signing the National Athem. Among the teams this year are the dePierro Defenders, Carifi’s Crusaders, Tabor Pizzeria, Valori’s Vikings, Bagel City Grill, Quick Chek, Sizzle Tan, Peluso Pride and Barberio’s Bombers.
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Alicia Bozza singing the national anthem
Girls reciting the "Little League Pledge"
Bagel City Grill Team entering the field
Joseph Roman and his son Nicholas enjoying the Par-Troy Little League West Opening Day
Freeholder Candidate Heather Darling with two little league members, Alexander Stringham and Keegan Tracy
Paul Carifi, Jr., and his twin sons, Jonathan and Tyler
The Belles Team entering the field
Ray Santana and his team
Coach Carmen DePasquale
Quick Chek Team entering the field
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Team entering the field
Parks and Recreation Superintendent
Joseph P Plescia and Par-Troy Little League East President Jeff Levine
Coaches
Parsippany Elks Lodge 2078 receiving an award from Frank Neglia for their generous contributions
Sizzle Tans receiving an award from Frank Neglia for their generous contributions
Frank Neglia thanks Tommy Catapano from Boy Scout Troop 173. He completed his Eagle Project at Little League West field
Throwing one of the first balls
Robert Peluso, Jr., throwing one of the first balls of the season
Coaches Carmine Verducci and Mike Compania and son Nico
Carmine and Nick Verducci on the sidelines watching the Par-Troy Little League West Opening Day
Izzy Mansur, Jacqueline Carifi, Paul Carifi, Jr., and twins Jonathan and Tyler
East Hanover Lt. John Fox, Jr., and Council Candidate Chris Martino
Coach Dave Kaplan
Freeholder Candidate Heather Darling with girls from A & L Services team
One of the highlights of the evening was an award given to Tommy Catapano from Boy Scout Troop 173. He managed a service project that he organized from start to finish. The project benefits the Par-Troy West Little League Baseball complex.
Catapano constructed tiers in the side of a small hill that teams and spectators use for seating throughout the season. By making these tiers, not only did he make the area look nicer, it will become an area that teams can meet and conduct after game meetings and that people can really enjoy. This is one of the final steps Tommy needed to complete to reach the rank of Eagle.
For more information about Par-Troy Little League West, click here.
ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Martin McParland, Jr. of the Rockaway Township Police Department announce that Wilfredo Guzman, 44, Rockaway Township, has been charged with two counts of Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)4, crimes of the second degree; two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 24-4(a)1, crimes of the third degree, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 24-4(a)2, crimes of the third degree.
Mr. Guzman is a police officer with the Rockaway Township Police Department.
These charges relate to actions Mr. Guzman is alleged to have engaged in with two minor females, one of whom was between the ages of 16-17 years-old, and another who was 15 years- old during the time in question.
It is alleged that Mr. Guzman engaged in acts of sexual penetration with the two females on various dates in 2014 and 2015. It is further alleged that Mr. Guzman provided both females alcohol and prescription medication.
Mr. Guzman was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility, as of Monday.
Guzman has been a Rockaway Township police officer since 2003 and has a $111,980 salary, according to public records.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, Professional Standards Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, High Tech Crimes Unit, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Section whose efforts contributed to the investigation of the matter. Prosecutor Knapp would also like to thank and acknowledge Chief McParland and members of the Rockaway Township Police Department for their cooperation with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office during the pendency of this investigation.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MORRIS COUNTY — Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, both are seeking the Republican nomination for governor in the primary, gave opening remarks in a crowed room at Charlie Brown’s in Denville at Morris County Young Republicans monthly meeting.
In addition 25th Legislative District representatives Senator Anthony R. Bucco, Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll. They are not challenged in the Republican primary in June.
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Freeholder Candidate David M. Scapicchio with current Freeholder Deborah Smith
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Candidate Brian Stanton with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno
Senator Anthony R. Bucco
Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco
Jack Ciattarelli, a candidate for Governor
Chairman MCYP Joseph Bock, Esq., Boonton; Parsippany resident Nicolas Limanov and Freeholder Candidate Heather Darling
The four republicans are seeking the three-year seat to be vacated on January 1 by William “Hank” Lyon, Parsippany, who is running instead in the Republican primary for the two-year state Assembly seat in the 26th Legislative District that is currently occupied by BettyLou DeCroce, also of Parsippany.
Michael Crispi, is 24 years old, the same age Hank Lyons was when he first ran for Freeholder.
Crispi, a Cedar Knolls resident, believes he may be the answer to directly combat the rising issues in Morris County while persevering the aspects that make the county great.
Crispi captured the attention of his Young Republican associates Sunday night when he declared, “We have, in my mind, one of the most enviable places to live in the United States. With that being said it blows my mind that we are experiencing a rise in our median age.” “The question has been asked many times in the past few months by elected officials; how can we reverse this trend? Well the answer lies in true fiscal conservatism,” he continued.
Heather Darling, Nicolas W. Platt, Michael Crispi and David Scapicchio
Crispi believes that his youth and experience as well as his unique credentials and perspective may prove greatly beneficial for the citizens of the county. Crispi is a former collegiate athlete at Elon University and currently serves as a member of the Morris County Young Republican Executive Board while also working as the Regional Manager of Allstate Benefits. In his role at Allstate Benefits, Crispi consults with various businesses throughout the state and helps them construct the best risk management strategies in the wake of healthcare reform.
Mike Crispi during his announcement at Parsippany Sheraton Hotel
Candidate Heather Darling said “I am running for Morris County Freeholder because I care about Morris County.”
Right now there is unchecked spending, a practice of rewarding special interests and lack of sustainable ratables.
“I have lived in this county for 42 years. I went to school in Roxbury and graduated from Roxbury High School. I went to NYU and earned degrees in Finance and International Business and returned to the open space of Morris County. After a few years in the financial markets, I joined my father’s business and went to Seton Hall Law. I inherited my father’s real estate business but, I didn’t want to simply ride on his coattails so I founded my law firm in Morris County,” Darling said.
She continued “I didn’t use money from my father’s business to build my law firm because it was about the pride of doing it on my own – the hard way. I know about building a business on a shoestring budget, building relationships with customers, dealers and suppliers, and hiring and manage employees who count on their jobs to provide food and shelter for their families. Every day I analyze information and make critical decisions which affect my business, my employees and my client’s futures.”
Heather Darling, Esq. has a law office at 15 Commerce Boulevard, Succasunna
“Large and small businesses have been leaving Morris County since the 80’s. We have become a county of residents without ratables or economic opportunities for young people. When I’m elected, I will utilize our numerous highways and railroads to attract business back to Morris County,” said Darling.
David Scapicchio, a former mayor of Mount Olive and one-term freeholder who lost his bid for re-election in 2015 but is widely endorsed for a new term by mayors around the county and most of the current Freeholders, told the crowd he helped reduce the county debt by millions when he was on the board. Known as a freeholder by the nickname “Pavin’ Dave,” Scapicchio, 62, said 30 miles of county roads were being repaved annually by the time he left office.
Nicolas W. Platt, 63, is currently the Mayor of the Township of Harding. He offered an overview of his public service as a three-term Harding committeeman who first got on the governing board to fill a vacancy. Platt said that Harding saves at least $300,000 annually through shared services that include a joint municipal court with Madison, Morris Township, Chatham and Chatham Township, and by eliminating its health office and contracting with Morris County for health department services.
Platt said he made a commitment more than four years ago to attend all Freeholder meetings, including the work sessions, and he regularly expresses his viewpoint on issues before the board. He currently is President of Hartley Dodge Foundation and Managing Partner of Hartley Farms Partners.
During Heather Darlings statements she said “While other similar facilities in the area are thriving, Morris View is not running profitably and the current Freeholder Board is looking into privatization. This should not be an option until every effort has been made to rein in spending and maximize income. Morris County is only one of nine counties in the nation posting average annual property taxes over $10,000. It is nonsense for us to have deteriorating infrastructure, poor road conditions, and cutbacks in human services needed by seniors and veterans.”
The deadline to change political affiliation passed on April 12 but residents have until May 16 to register to vote in this years primary. There are 137,511 registered but unaffiliated voters in the county; 122,350 Republicans, and 84,864 Democrats. The sole Democrat to file to run for freeholder is Rozella Clyde, Chatham, and is not opposed in the primary. She is part of the Morris County Democratic Committee.
Morris County Young Republicans will meet on Thursday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Portofino Family Restaurant, 5139 Berksire Valley Road, Oak Ridge. The candidates from Legislative Districts 2 and 26 will be available to answer questions. This event will be sponsored by Morris Township Mayor Bruce Sisler.
In Parsippany, James R. Barberio (R), Robert J. Peluso (R), Thomas C. Fulco, (D), and Michael Soriano (D) are seeking the office of the Mayor. Candidates for Township Council are Christopher R. Martino (R), Casey Parikh (R), Brian Stanton (R) Louis A. Valori (R), Vincent Ferrara (R), Katherine Cassidy (D), Janice McCarthy (D), and Emily Peterson (D).
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Candidate Chris Martino recently held a fundraiser. Chris Martino is seeking a seat on the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council. Council President Louis Valori and Council Vice President Robert Peluso seats are up for grabs in the November General Election.
Council Candidate Chris Martino, Mayoral Candidate Robert Peluso and Council Candidate Casey ParikhCouncilman Paul Carifi, Jr., Council Candidate Chris Martino, Mayoral Candidate Robert Peluso and Council Candidate Casey ParikhCouncil Candidate Chris Martino and his wifeParsippany-Troy Hills Council Candidate Chris Martino and Detective Sgt. John Fox Jr. of the East Hanover Police Department
Chris Martino is a decorated law enforcement professional. When he says he has your back, he means it. His experience in policing allows him to bring a unique insight to our council regarding public safety and the security of our residents and children.
Martino was born in Brooklyn, New York where his parents lived at the time and shortly moved to West Paterson. His family moved to Bloomingdale in 1986 when he was just 14 years old. He attended Butler High School and graduated from the County College of Morris.
Shortly after graduating college Martino was accepted into the Morris County Alternate Route Police Academy Program in August, 1993. Once he graduated the Morris County Police Academy he was hired by the Hanover Township Police Department on March 1, 1994. He has been with the Hanover Township Police Department for the past 23 years. During his 23 years he has worked in all aspects of law enforcement, which requires a great deal of dedication. He has been involved with numerous investigations that require a high level of discipline and attention to detail.
Chris has resided in Parsippany for the past 14 years originally moving into the Troy Hills section of Parsippany in 2003 with his wife Shreya. He currently resides in the Powder Mill Estates section of Parsippany, since 2014. This is where his wife Shreya, seven year old twins Ella and Deven, along with their family pet, Marley call home.
The primary will be held on Tuesday, June 6. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Boy Scout Troop 72 held their annual Pancake Fundraiser at the Applebee’s of Parsippany on the morning of Saturday, April 22.
Money raised from this fundraiser will be used to help send scouts to leadership training programs this summer and fall.
Eric Maciag takes a break from serving and tries some of the delicious breakfastRiley Mazur and Chris Anzalone bringing food to customersJosh Knowle bring food to customers
For more information about Boy Scout Troop 72, chartered by Saint Peter Church in Parsippany, please visit our website by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — The Eastlake School PTA held a very successful Tricky Tray at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center on Friday, April 21. The room was packed with parents, teachers and local residents.
The event cost $20.00 to enter. Level 1 tickets cost $5.00 a sheet and included over 200 baskets with great prizes such as Easter Baskets, Eccola Gift Cards, Single Cup Coffee Maker with K-cups, Comedy Tickets, Powerhouse Birthday Party Certificate, Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association gift certificate, Anchor Golf Gift Cards, Applebee’s Gift Cards, Perona Farms Brunch and more.
Level 2 tickets cost $2.00 per ticket or 10 tickets for $15.00 and included around 75 gift baskets with great prizes such as One night stay at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Randolph Gymnastics Gift Card, One night weekend stay at Hyatt House, Mary Kay Gift set and more.
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Karen Kinsey
Lauren Foli, Carol Kratt, Karen Kinsey, Jennifer Thurkauf and Colleen Turd were enjoying the evening at Eastlake School Tricky Tray
There were hundreds of wonderful baskets at the Tricky Tray
Nicolas Limanov with English teacher Mr. Winick
Level 3 gift baskets included two orchestra seats at the Philharmonic, Shark Vacuum, Xbox one and more. Eastlake Roulette baskets included front row seats to fifth grade graduation, gym teacher for a day with Miss Costa, lunch with Principal, Mr. Hershkowitz, Pizza Party with Mrs. Breiten and more.
Grand Prize Tricky Tray prizes included Big Screen TV, four Disney Hopper Passes, three Giants tickets with parking pass, IPad or adult one year membership to the YMCA.
