Employee steals merchandise at United Parcel Service

PARSIPPANY — Patrol Sergeant E. Conklin, along with Patrol Officers C. Dottino and C. Konysz responded to UPS for a theft. Upon arrival they spoke to the security guards who advised them they caught employee Kevin Klien, 29, East Orange, stealing approximately $4,000.00 in merchandise.

After a brief investigation Mr. Klien was placed under arrest and transported back to Police Headquarters. He was processed and charged with one count of Theft of Movable Property in the Third Degree.

Mr. Klien was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.

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.

Driver arrested for Assault by Auto; Driving While Intoxicated

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Chief of Police Paul Philipps, along with multiple Officers, and Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services responded to a three car motor vehicle crash with injuries on South Beverwyck Road near Troy Meadow Road at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 2.

Initial investigation by Patrol Officer G. Lowe, it was determined that a 2005 Acura MDX was stopped behind a 2016 Chevy Traverse who was waiting to turn from South Beverwyck Road onto Troy Meadow Road.

The Acura was then struck by a 2016 GMC Sierra who failed to stop. The impact of the crash caused the Acura to crash into the Chevy.

The 22 year old female backseat passenger in the Acura was transported to Morristown Medical Center with neck/back pain. All other occupants in the vehicles reported that they were uninjured.

The driver of the 2011 GMC Sierra, Robert Palmer, 33, Georgetown, Texas, was placed under arrest and subsequently processed.

He was charged with the following offenses:

• 1 count of Assault by Auto in the 4th Degree
• Driving While Intoxicated in a School Zone
• Reckless Driving

Mr. Palmer was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.

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.

Creating a Successful Marketing Plan for your Business

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce a morning breakfast seminar “Creating a Successful Marketing Plan for your Business” on Friday, March 10.

This PACC Breakfast Presentation is given by Ilene Greene and Ted Polmar, Principals of Marketshare Communications and BizCircles Entrepreneurs Business Network. Bring plenty of business cards because there will be an opportunity to network.

A Marketing Plan offers a simple strategy or set of strategies, a marketing calendar, an evaluation system and a series of tactics that give you complete control of your marketing activities.

You will learn:

  • How to put your Marketing Plan together
  • Budgeting your plan
  • The initiatives you must take to make it happen

A good marketing plan conveys your company’s vision and mission to your target, markets, customers and employees.

You will also participate in your own SWOT Analysis and discuss your Successes, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that goes into planning your business’ future.

Don’t miss this informative and exciting program for small business owners and entrepreneurs on Friday, March 10 at 8:00 a.m. held at IHOP, 792 Route 46. You can reserve your ticket by clicking here.

Heroin, prescription drug overdoses continue to rise in Morris County

PARSIPPANY — The audience was silent as Brad Seabury recounted the wrenching aftermath of a fatal drug overdose in Morris County. Seabury, the county’s chief assistant prosecutor, described being with grieving parents “and a dead 25 year old in the bedroom down the hallway.” “I’m standing there, I’m in the hallway, and I see the kid…

Hats Off to Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration at Intervale School

PARSIPPANY — Intervale School, along with many other schools in United States, celebrated Read Across America by celebrating Dr. Seuss birthday on Tuesday, February 28. Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904.

NEA’s Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Readers included Mayor James Barberio, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Brian Conover, Board of Education President Frank Neglia, Board members Judy Mayer, Alison Cogan, Tim Berrios and Alison Cogan. In addition former teachers and parents read to the students.

Geisel published 46 children’s books, often characterized by imaginative characters, rhyme, and frequent use of anapestic meter.

His most-celebrated books include the bestselling Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Fox in Socks, The King’s Stilts, Hop on Pop, Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose, Horton Hatches the Egg, Horton Hears a Who!, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. His works have spawned numerous adaptations, including 49 television specials, four feature films, a Broadway musical and four television series.

He won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1958 for Horton Hatches the Egg and again in 1961 for And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Geisel also worked as an illustrator for advertising campaigns, most notably for Flit and Standard Oil, and as a political cartoonist for PM, a New York City newspaper. During World War II, he worked in an animation department of the United States Army, where he wrote Design for Death, a film that later won the 1947 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

He was a perfectionist in his work and would sometimes spend up to a year on a book. It was not uncommon for him to throw out 95% of his material until he settled on a theme for his book. For a writer he was unusual in that he preferred to be paid only after he finished his work rather than in advance.

Geisel’s birthday, March 2, has been adopted as the annual date for National Read Across America Day, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association.

Woman’s Club Members Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday as Cats in the Hat

PARSIPPANY — In celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Thursday, March 2, members of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) read to the children at the Parsippany Child Day Care Center.

The National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on Thursday, March 2, Theodore Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) birthday.  This is the 20th anniversary of NEA’s Read Across America, the nation’s largest reading celebration, with more than 45 million students, parents, educators and others participating every year. For more information click here.

Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills Club member Diana Freidinger reading to Pre-K students Daniel Volarich, Ainsley Cook and Henry Truglio

WCPTH members also donated a copy of One Cent, Two Cents, Old Cent, New Cent: All About Money to the Day Care Center Library and provided afternoon snacks to the children for a Dr. Seuss party!   As part of their Annual Dr. Seuss Project, three other Dr. Seuss books were donated to the Parsippany Library System.

Proceeds for this, and other educational projects were made possible by the funds raised at the club’s annual Tee Off for Education Golf Classic Fundraiser.  This year’s 36th Annual Tee Off for Education Golf Classic & Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at the Knoll Country Club West.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. The next General Meeting is Monday, March 27 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 view their website by clicking here.

Meeting schedule is subject to change. Please contact Cathy, Membership Chairman, if interested in attending a meeting or to confirm date and time.
(973) 984-0758 or womansclubofpth@gmail.com.

Stephanie LiCausi, WCPTH Dr. Seuss Reading Project Chairman, reading to students

Kiwanis Club welcomes new member

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Greg Elbin welcomes new member Lindsay Jawor.

Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service-minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others.

Any community need can become a Kiwanis service project, especially the needs of children. Kiwanis service projects range from efforts that help local communities to Kiwanis International’s Worldwide Service Project for the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.

Kiwanis Secretary Karen Gajewski places a pin on mew member Lindsay Jawor

At the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, they want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

You are invited to attend a meeting on Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46, Parsippany.

You will be able to join Kiwanis to learn more and see how you fit into the picture. Newcomers and visiting clubs always welcome!

For more information, visit their website by clicking here.

Parsippany residents enjoy coffee with a cop

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany ShopRite located at 808 Route 46 had a half dozen cops there on Wednesday, March 1. But it was no emergency, no arrests, just coffee and plenty of donuts. It was another successful Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department 3rd Coffee with a Cop event.

Building and maintaining community trust is one of the most important challenges facing law enforcement today. This was the opportunity to engage in an open discussion with members of the Parsippany Police Department.

“It was wonderful to see and speak with so many people from throughout Parsippany at our Coffee with a Cop program, but for me, the highlight of the event was when we received the handwritten THANK YOU pictures from students of the Troy Hills Elementary school. That was unexpected and heartwarming,” stated Police Chief Paul Philipps.

Participating officers included Patrolman Remo D’Alessandro and Patrolman Brian Conover. Also present was Mayor James Barberio, Council President Louis Valori, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Chief Paul Philipps, Captain John Wieners and Sergeant Allen Griffin.

“The strength of its success comes from it breaking down barriers,” Council Vice President Robert Peluso said. “They talk about everything, they’re not talking to people, they’re talking with people.”

Coffee With A Cop is a national program which has been widely successful. The program is a very informal one, the hope is to bridge the gap between police and community in an open forum to talk about anything.

“‘Coffee with a Cop’ brings our police officers and the residents they protect and serve together, over coffee, to discuss important issues and learn more about each other.  It is all about building valuable relationships one cup at a time,” stated Council President Louis Valori.

Gohn, Ilic and Carifi heading to New Jersey Wrestling State Tournament

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School duo of P.J. Gohn and Michael Ilic came away with Region 2 championships at Mount Olive High School on Saturday, February 25.

PJ Gohn always a winner!

Gohn (132) earned a 3-1 overtime victory over Garfield’s Jordan Robinson in the finals.

Ilic (182), meanwhile, won by forfeit over DePaul’s defending state champion Brandon Kui, who withdrew due to a back injury.

Wrestling has been a big part of Michael Ilic’s life. Pictured when he was part of Par-Troy Wrestling

From little champs to big champs and now moving on to the States. These are three dedicated and hard working individuals. They are wrestlers who embraced the grind of an entire season and continue to work hard.

Most Outstanding Wrestler in District 8:
Parsippany Hills senior Justin Carifi was given the honor after pinning all three of his opponents to win the 113-pound title. In the finals, Carifi pinned top-seeded Kenny Kerwin of Passaic Valley late in the third period. Carifi, a 100-match winner, flattened Kerwin, senior state qualifier, in 5:42. Last season in 2016, Carifi finished 33-3.

Justin Carifi when he was part of Par-Troy Wrestling

Michael Ilic and PJ Gohn from Parsippany High School as well as Justin Carifi from Parsippany Hills High School all qualified at the Region 2 NJSIAA tournament this weekend to participate in the New Jersey Wrestling State Tournament.  The top 3 place winners at their respective districts make it to the regions.  Then the top 4 wrestlers from each region make the state tournament.  There are a total of eight regions in the entire state of New Jersey.  According to Coach Illic (Michael’s father) Michael, PJ and Justin have been wrestling together since they were 6 years old and were always major contributors to the many championship titles the recreation programs have achieved in the past.

They will compete in the state tournament next weekend at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The state finals will begin Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Lori Acker Promoted to SVP, Operational Transformation, Delta Dental

PARSIPPANY — Delta Dental of New Jersey has promoted Lori Acker to Senior Vice President of Operational Transformation. Acker was previously Vice President of Claims and Customer Service. 

Lori Acker

Directing a staff of approximately 200, in this role Ms. Acker will run the organization’s core operations. She will also be responsible for realizing significant changes to DDNJ’s operating and technology roadmap model as the organization continues adapting to the evolution of the healthcare marketplace.

 “Lori is a results-driven executive who has consistently demonstrated meaningful progress, impactful achievements, and sound leadership since she came to Delta Dental in 1987,” said Dennis G. Wilson, President and CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey. “Lori will work closely with me, our Executive Management team, and our Board of Trustees to architect and execute a set of solutions that will enable our organization to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market environment.”

Ms. Acker joined Delta Dental of New Jersey nearly 30 years ago, holding a progression of positions in the Premium Billing Department including Supervisor, Manager, and Director. In 1997, Acker transferred to Customer Service and was promoted to Assistant Vice President. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Claims and Customer Service, where she played a key role in all large group implementations and spearheaded major projects that successfully improved self-service capabilities.

Acker graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor of science in business administration. She is a Past President of the Garden State Chapter of the International Customer Service Association. 

About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.6 million people through contracts with groups in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a newly licensed insurer that writes dental coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. For more information, click here.