Letter to the editor: Mandatory Recycle Law Ignored Lost Race of America

Dear Editor:

Recycle in most places substandard; since the law was enacted “Mandatory Recycling” in April 1987. Accumulative effects of being lax increases or keeps steady the costs, while damaging the environment. It also encourages to the public the attitude of laxness and proper conscience discipline.  In places like Parsippany conditions like lax sanitation/recycle ordnances should not be tolerated or excepted as norm. It is all to easy to simply pass off costs to taxpayers divided among those citizens whom do care and separate materials and others that do not. They do not’s reap this reward and all suffers especially nature and the nations resources.

Above photo was taken in Ringwood. These receptacles are present and accounted for at most small malls and store area. Why should Parsippany be any different? Most large Shopping establishments and Mall areas at totally lacking in this responsibility. How are we allowed to continue not at least in better attempts to manage our tremendous waste? We have allowed this norm of trash/litter and undisciplined home and business practices to exist; time to attempt a change. Ordinances of this type; clean community, sanitation, housing, must be enforced and encourage constantly.

Parsippany needs more than one sanitation officer of inspection and needs to enforce/fine repeated offenders, until things improve. Parsippany has several Municipal Offices, Housing, Health, Roads, Stormwater, Parks Forestry, Planning, Zoning, all seem oblivious to this on-going sub-standard norm. 

The civil law of “usufruct” seems no longer to exist in society, how is that? A Civil Law term referring to the right of one individual to use and enjoy the property of another, provided its substance is neither impaired nor altered. lack of street cleaning, and waste separation disciplines hurts us all now and into the future. Witnessing a local employee watering the flower pots along North Beverwyck and leaving the trash in front of the flower pot unabated in the street after watering the flowers, shows a serious disconnect, between the Municipal Work Force and the community that employs them; this disconnect with reality exists everywhere. Is this the American exceptionalism that allegedly makes us somehow superior?

 By officials continuing to ignore or deny these circumstances our society slips further into empty and fake values. Without civic virtue or consciences we are meaningless insects consuming the planet and ruining the beauty and grace of god and man, our own worse enemies into a class of people whom share an uncaring individual mind-set. Right now Parsippany tax payers are inflicted with an almost $2 million dollar sanitation expenditure. Guess that amount is not enough to warrant any actions by this administration to at least try to do better.

 They have accepted the down-fall of the condition as normal. As the saying goes these colors (This Flag) don’t run. We also don’t clean or enforce basic clean community duties and responsibilities any longer. Dirty Streets, dirty rivers and streams. Name one place where plastic and other debris is not present, and ready to spread further and further into the fabric of Mother Nature? What are we really celebrating on July 4th? We seem to be celebrating the lack of common sense in all sphere of sustainable life. 

  Finally: Waste disposal costs money. Your local community pays about $75 per ton of general trash to dispose of this waste at a landfill or incinerator. You are paying for this waste disposal through your local taxes or through trash haulage fees. (believe Parsippany in nearly $2Million in fees a year) 

By reducing the amount of waste you generate or sending materials for recycling you not only reduce the waste disposal costs for your community but your local town profits from the sale of these materials to recycling companies. The more you recycle the more money a community can make from the recycling collection and consequently the more money the town has to spend on local schools and other services.

Recycling helps conserve valuable resources and energy.

Recycling helps to protect the environment.

Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha

Abandoned dog found tied to pole in shopping center

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Animal Control wants your help. This abandoned dog was found tied to a pole behind a shopping plaza in Parsippany on July 7.

They are looking for information on who left him there. He was not wearing a collar but is microchipped to a previous owner. He appears to have received medical care fairly recently for his skin issues.

Please share widely, as someone from a veterinary office or local resident may recognize him.

If you have any information please call Parsippany Animal Control at (973) 263-7083 or the Parsippany Police Department at (973) 263-4300.

The Parsippany Animal Control is located at 1069 Parsippany Boulevard.

Marks Paneth Celebrates Opening of Expanded Parsippany Office

PARSIPPANY — Leading accounting, tax and advisory firm, Marks Paneth LLP, celebrated the opening of the firm’s expanded Parsippany office with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house attended by clients, colleagues, Morris County officials and other members of the New Jersey business community.

“Marks Paneth has a long, rewarding history of serving the residents and businesses of this state,” said John Evans, Partner in Charge of Marks Paneth’s New Jersey office. “We are excited for this opportunity to further our commitment to all of our clients, business partners and employees who call New Jersey home.”

Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, who participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony, added: “Parsippany is known for its great corporate community. We are proud to be able to attract top firms like Marks Paneth and offer a prime location for them to conduct business and meet client needs.”

Located at 8 Campus Drive in the Mack-Cali Business Campus, the relocated office primarily provides tax and audit services to commercial businesses, high-net-worth individuals and family offices, as well as litigation support services for attorneys. New Jersey is one of seven office locations for NYC-headquartered Marks Paneth, which is ranked among the Top 30 accounting firms in the nation and the Top 10 accounting firms in the Mid-Atlantic region by Accounting Today.

Marks Paneth LLP is a premier accounting firm with origins dating back to 1907. With a team of nearly 700 professionals, the firm provides a full range of audit, accounting, tax and consulting services, with specialties in international tax, forensic accounting, litigation support, family office and financial advisory services. Marks Paneth professionals deliver expert knowledge in a wide range of industries, including real estate, hospitality and restaurants; nonprofit, government and healthcare; manufacturing, wholesale and distribution; theater, media and entertainment; high-net-worth; and financial and professional services. The firm offers expanded resources through its subsidiary technology consulting firm, Tailored Technologies, LLC, and its membership in Morison KSi Ltd., a global association of professional service firms serving clients’ cross-border accounting, tax and consulting needs. Headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC and Florida, Marks Paneth is ranked by Accounting Today as the 30th largest accounting firm in the nation and among the top 10 in the Mid-Atlantic Region. For more information click here.

Target; CVS Pharmacy and Starbucks will replace Pathmark

PARSIPPANY — Federal Realty Investment Trust, owners of Troy Hills Shopping Center, appeared before the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board on Monday, July 10, and made a formal presentation to renovate the former Pathmark store into a Target, Starbucks and CVS Pharmacy. The board voted unanimously to approve the application for preliminary and final site plan and related “C” variance approval. The property is located at 1123 Route 46, designated as Block 729, Lot 7 on the official tax map of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. A tentative March 2018 opening date is planned.

The meeting was attended by only four residents.

CVS Pharmacy and Starbucks will be inside of the Target store, using the same entrances as Target, similar to their Fairfield and East Hanover locations.

Starbucks, which is under construction at the former Burger King is less than one mile away. CVS, which opened last year at the corner of Cherry Hill Road and Route 46 is approximately three miles away.

The Property is located in the B-1 Business District. The property located on the corner of Route 46 and South Beverwyck Road has approximately 19 acres and contains a total of 211,000 square feet of retail, food establishments and banks.

Federal Realty proposes to lease approximately 65,000 square feet of the Shopping Center formerly occupied by Pathmark to Target. CVS Pharmacy and Starbucks will be located inside of the Target.

Target plans to renovate the existing façade of the building by removing an existing 3,168 square foot canopy and by constructing a new 514 square foot building addition and 493 square foot canopy.

The renovation will result in a net reduction in building coverage of approximately 2,165 square feet.

Target also proposes a major renovation of the interior of the store, which consists of approximately 65,106 square feet.

The renovated interior space will include approximately 7,845 square feet of grocery space.

Because the proposed renovation of the interior space includes grocery space, the required number of on site parking spaces will be decreased from 1,371 to 1,275.

Federal Realty previously obtained a variance to permit the Shopping Center to be served by only 1,040 parking spaces.

Current tenants located in the Troy Hills Shopping Centerinclude Michaels, Dollar Tree, Smashburger, Sport Clips, Subway, Petco Supplies & Fish, Sprint, Sally Beauty Supply, Massage Envy Spa, Cups Frozen Yogurt, Pro Hair Cutters, Convenience Liquors, Chipotle Mexican Grill, L.A. Fitness, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill, McDonald’s, Wells Fargo Bank and Panera Bread.

To view a complete site plan of the shopping center click here.

In addition to the former Pathmark space, there are two other vacancies in the center. One vacancy measures 1,538 square feet and the second measures 2,018 square feet.

Pathmark closed in November 2015, after The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, parent company for A&P and Pathmark, announced on Monday, July 20, 2015 that it has filed for bankruptcy.

On Wednesday, July 5, Waterview Marketplace broke ground to contract a new shopping center on Waterview Boulevard just off Route 46. This location is less than three miles from the proposed Target. Originally it was rumored that Target was planning on opening a larger box store in Waterview Marketplace, but the size of the project was reduced, and the maximum size of the stores was limited.

The center will be anchored by a new Whole Foods Market that will occupy 48,000 square feet of the 150,150-square-foot center set to open in 2018. This Whole Foods Market store is set to become the third location in Morris County, and will feature indoor and outdoor dining space for customers.

Wegmans Food Markets prepares to open Hanover Location

HANOVER — Wegmans Food Markets announced the grand opening date for its new location in Hanover. The new store, a 113,000 square-foot supermarket, will open in Hanover’s Mack-Cali campus at the intersection of I-287 and Route 10 on Sunday, July 23. The new store will be open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to Midnight.

Wegmans will be hiring approximately 500 people. Available full-time openings range from customer service and entry-level management to culinary positions, such as line cooks and numerous part-time opportunities.

Colleen Wegman, the daughter of Chairman Danny Wegman, is president and CEO

“For 20 consecutive years, Wegmans has ranked high on FORTUNE magazine’s list of ‘The 100 Best Companies to Work For,’ recently placing second,” said Wegmans Human Resources Manager Ruth Ann Virgil. “We proudly attribute that recognition to putting our employees first, offering competitive pay and benefits, flexible scheduling for work-life balance, career growth, and college tuition assistance through our employee scholarship program.”

The Hanover store will feature The Burger Bar by Wegmans, a family-friendly, casual restaurant counter that serves delicious burgers, fresh salads, flavorful sandwiches, specialty milkshakes, soup, and sides. In addition to the supermarket, space will be leased to a third-party owner for a wine, beer, and spirits shop.

Wegmans is known for offering an unmatched variety, up to 700 different fruits and vegetables on any given day; 100 or more are organic. Each store builds strong partnerships with nearby family farms, and in season, offers locally grown fruits and vegetables picked daily and delivered directly to the store.

 

Christmas in July was held to raise funds for Big Brothers and Big Sisters

UNION — On Saturday, July 8 the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey joined the Garden State Ryderz Motorcycle Club and held Christmas in July to raise money for their annual Big Brothers and Big Sisters Holiday Party. Through the hard work of Executive Board member Anthony Cavallo of the Union Police more than $3,000 was raised and many nice unwrapped gifts were collected. The Italian American Police Society of New Jersey would like to thank Anthony Cavallo along with Tiff’s Ale & Burger House in Union, Cacique Cigars of Roselle Park and DJ “Danny T”.

This event will support the Society’s Holiday Party for hundreds of children from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northern New Jersey.

Melody Lieberman performs in Minnie’s Boys is Old School Musical of The Marx Brothers

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School graduate Melody Lieberman is starring in “Minnie’s Boys” (the former Broadway show about Minnie Marx, the mother of The Marx Brothers) at a regional theater in Florida.

Melody Lieberman is starring in “Minnie’s Boys” (the former Broadway show about Minnie Marx, the mother of The Marx Brothers.

She was also a very active member in the Rotary Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills. During 2009-2010 she served as secretary. While attending Parsippany High School she was a Musical Advisor/Instructional Aide.

She received her Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Studies degree from Montclair State University in 2005.

Minnie’s Boys is the Broadway musical that captures the Jewish immigrant experience with warmth and laughter. Minnie’s absolute love and belief in her sons took them from tenements of the the lower East Side, and brought them into international stardom as the beloved Marx brothers. This is her story of triumph, and her steadfast belief in the American Dream.

Featuring the break out hit,  “Mama, A Rainbow,” Minnie’s Boys captures a great time in our history, and shows how a mother’s love and determination are timeless.

The cast’s strong voices carry much of the show, thanks in part to the leadership of musical director David Nagy working with superb brassy multi-leveled recorded music by Manny Schvartzman.

Parsippany’s Melody Lieberman throws herself unreservedly into the role of the formidable Minnie and she has clarion voice to trumpet the score – far better than La Winters could have done.

Minnie’s Boys plays through August 6 at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Margate, Florida. Performances are 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Running time is two hours twenty minutes with a fifteen-minute intermission. Tickets are $48.00. Call (954) 344-7765 or click here.

Melany also sang the National Anthem Melody for New York Mets vs. Yankees on August 2, 2016.

West Point Band to perform in Boonton Township’s 150th Anniversary celebration

BOONTON TOWNSHIP — Boonton Township is celebrating its 150th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 15.

The events start at 3:00 p.m. with Raging Grace performing at the Rockaway Valley Aerodrome, Rockaway Valley Aerodrome Fields. There will be a number of food trucks, wagon rides and inflatables. At 5:00 p.m. Skeeters Pants will perform and at 7:00 p.m. the West Point Band. Then a fireworks display will follow.

The West Point Band is the oldest continuously serving Army band, and the oldest unit at West Point. The band traces its lineage back to a single drummer and fifer left to maintain the tradition of military music at West Point after the Revolutionary War. Over the next two centuries, the band evolved into one of the most capable and versatile professional performing groups in the world. Today, the band consists of multiple elements that perform styles ranging from traditional drum and fife music to the pop, country, and rock hits of today. Its standards of excellence, like those of the Academy, continue to be a source of pride to the Army and the nation. The West Point Band will perform American and patriotic fare featuring music of Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, George M. Cohan, John Philip Sousa, and more.

Rockaway Valley Aerodrome is located at 353 Powerville Road, Boonton Township.

Skeeters Pants

Skeeter Pants is a Bona Fide and Highly Entertaining Country Band Performing New, Old and Original Country Music. With great musicianship and Style. Fun Entertaining professional musicians with touring, recording and album credits. Bona Fide Twangy Chickin picking country.

Raging Gracefully is a four piece classic rock band.

Utilizing drums, guitar, bass, keys and an occasional flute, they cover some of your favorite hits/groups from the 50’s-70’s (and beyond) including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, CCR, The Band, Santana, Procol Harem, the Animals, Jethro Tull and many more.

Frontman and bassist, Steve Cinque, is the musical director and lead vocalist for the group.

Steve drives the band with powerful vocals and solid bass lines and even throws in a few flute solos.

Possessing a substantial vocal range, Steve can handle anything from a soulful ballad by the Eagles to a gut-wrenching rock tune by Bob Seger. A true veteran of the music industry, Steve has played throughout the Eastern U.S. and Internationally over his extensive career. A native of NYC, Steve now makes his home in New Haven, Connecticut.

Drummer, Mike Bimonte, keeps everyone on track with his tight beats and adds his vocals to a few songs. Mike has more than 25 years experience working as a percussionist in Community Theatre and has worked in more than 100 productions. Over his career, Mike has opened for Tower of Power, Alexa Ray Joel, Mavis Staples and Frank Zappa’s Project Object Band and has played in some high-profile venues including the Shubert theater, Woolsey Hall and the New Haven Music & Arts Festival. Mike calls East Haven, Connecticut his home.

George Leka, on keys, provides those classic piano, organ and string accompaniments that identified so many songs from that era and picks up some vocals along the way, also. The brother of the late performer/producer/song writer Paul Leka (most notably Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam and Green Tambourine-The Lemon Pipers), George was destined to be a musician. George really “struts his stuff” on classic songs like Whiter Shade Of Pale (Procol Harem), Locomotive Breath (Jethro Tull) and House Of The Rising Sun (Animals).

George and Steve have collaborated on several other musical projects over the years. Trumbull, Connecticut is where George hangs his hat.

Guitarist, Ron Jovanelly, brings a fourth vocal to the mix and adds the signature sounds of groups like Santana, CCR and The Hollies. Another veteran of the music scene, Ron and Steve have also collaborated on projects together over the years. Ron has the uncanny ability to capture the “feel” of artists like Carlos Santana, John Fogarty and Stevie Ray Vaughn which really adds to the musical experience. Ron is a resident of Milford, Connecticut.

Register now for Parsippany Soccer Club Summer Camps

PARSIPPANY — It is not too late to sign up for Parsippany Soccer Club summer camps being held in Parsippany the weeks of July 10, July 17 or July 24.

The 2017 Summer Camp is designed for all children ages and abilities. It’s for all male or female campers between the ages of 6-14 years old (8th grade). The focus of the camp is on technical development, while providing a fun atmosphere. Each day of camp focuses on a different technique in the morning followed by games in the afternoon.

Parsippany Soccer Club is to help develop and improve each camper’s technical ability and understanding of the game while also creating a competitive, fun environment that he/she can look forward to each day. They have assembled a staff of outstanding coaches who will train the campers to increase their soccer awareness, sharpen their skills, and increase their fitness. The coaches teach the game, but they do not over coach the game. Instead of trying to program a player’s every move on the field, our staff allows a player to play the game and make corrections with the hope that the player will learn to think out the game on his/her own.

Click here for brochure or click here to visit Parsippany Soccer Club website to register.

Parsippany residents perform in “The Lion King, Jr.” at Brundage Park Playhouse

PARISPPANY — Brundage Park Playhouse performances of “The Lion King, Jr.” will be held on Friday, July 14 and Friday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Performances will also be held Saturday, July 8, Sunday; July 9, Saturday; Saturday, July 15; Sunday, July 16; Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m.

You’ll have ‘no worries for the rest of your day’ when the young performers bring The Lion King, Jr. to Brundage Park Playhouse. Enjoy the heartwarming tale of Simba, the young lion who must face his deepest fears to avenge the murder of his father, Mufasa, and return to Pride Rock to claim his rightful place in ‘The Circle of Life’.

“The Lion King, Jr.” is directed by Mark Carovale. Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice. Additional Music and Lyrics by Will Van Dyke, Lebo M., Mark Mancina, and Jay Rifkin
Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi. Based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor.

CAST

RAFIKI: Clare Capuzzi, Morris Plains
MUFASA: Christopher Simon, Mendham
SARABI: Kaitlyn Franck, Basking Ridge
ZAZU: Isabella Dimichino, Randolph
SCAR: Tobin “Toby” Todd, Randolph
YOUNG SIMBA: Steven George, Hoptcong
ADULT SIMBA: Tim Rocca, Mendham
YOUNG NALA: Aisha Rehan, Parsippany
ADULT NALA: Hope Keil, Randolph
SARAFINA: Kristin Ware, Newton
BANZAI: Zachary Sussman, Randolph
SHENZI: Brigid Cavanagh, Wharton
ED: Collin Ware, Newton
TIMON: Nicholas Profito, Chester
PUMBAA: Jacob Marsh, Chester

 ENSEMBLE:

James Degenaars, Rockaway
Michael Luciano, Randolph
Arthav Naidu, Randolph
Elizabeth Pietrucha, Randolph
Sophia Rehan, Parsippany
Lloyd Silikovitz, Randolph
Abby Simon, Mendham
Charlotte Sussman, Randolph
Lillian Walker, Randolph
Mary Young, Chester
Alexa Yudoff, Succasunna

Ticket prices are $25.00 for Adults and $20.00 for Seniors, Children under 12, and Military Personnel.

Brundage Park Playhouse has moved to an online ticket purchasing system. Tickets can be purchased online at Randolph Community Pass.    All seats are general admission and there is no assigned seating.   Each patron must have a ticket.  Children sitting on parents laps must have a ticket and no babes in arms.

For further information please contact Brundage Park Playhouse at (973) 989-7092.

Brundage Park Playhouse is located at 502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph.

 

Roxbury resident runs off road; charged with DWI

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrol Officer C. Konysz and S. Ferguson responded to the area of West Hanover Avenue and Koch Avenue for a vehicle that had gone off the roadway into the grass on Saturday, July 1. Officers from Morristown and Morris Township Police Department were already on the scene with the vehicle upon their arrival.

After a brief investigation, Nozuko Ndlovu, 27, a female from Roxbury, was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.

She was subsequently transported to Police Headquarters for processing.

She was issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving.

She was released on her own recognizance pending her court appearance.

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 charged with DWI after found laying in front of dumpster

PARSIPPANY — Patrol Officer J. Mendez and Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad responded to 100 Vail Road, for a person who may be passed out near one of the buildings at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 29.

Michael McClain, 61, Denville, was located laying down in front of a dumpster by Patrol Officer Jamie Mendez.

Near Mr. McClain was his 2003 Toyota Highlander that was still running.

After speaking to Mr. McClain and conducting a brief investigation he was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.

He was transported to Saint Clares Hospital in Denville for medical treatment.

Mr. McClain was issued a summons for Driving While Intoxicated in a School Zone, Driving While Intoxicated and Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Passenger Vehicle.

He was released on his own recognizance pending his court appearance.

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.

Stacey Bock received ‘Chief’s Trumpet Plaque’ in honor of Chief Raymond Bock

Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 presented Stacey Bock with the “Chief’s Trumpet Plaque

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 presented Stacey Bock with the “Chief’s Trumpet Plaque,” at a recent meeting. This prestigious award was presented in honor of Chief Raymond Bock, who passed away on Friday, January 27, at his home. He was 64.

Ray was a Life Member of Parsippany-Troy Hills District 6 Fire Association where he previously served as chief and president.

Ray was born in Newark and grew up in Parsippany before moving to Chatham Township in 1998. He worked for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills as a Pump Operator for the Water Department for over the past 30 years.

He was also a member of the Green Village Fire Department where he served as Sergeant at Arms.

Ray has two sons, Raymond D. Bock, Jr. and his fiancée, Shannon Fluke of Stanhope and Andrew T. Bock and his fiancée, Karey Hornbaker of Morris Plains; his daughter, Kelly A. Bock of Hackettstown and two grandchildren.

Parsippany main coverage area of Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 is Lake Intervale, Druid Hill, Hills of Troy, Greenhill, Mazdabrook, Eastbrook, Normandy Village, Lord Stirling and Sunset.

For more information on Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 click here.

Seven cars stolen during a six day period

PARSIPPANY — A series of motor vehicles were stolen in Parsippany from Thursday, June 29 to Tuesday, July 4.

The first vehicle stolen was from a Camden Road resident between 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 and 6:03 a.m. on Friday, June 30. The vehicle was a 2014 Nissan Rogue. It was subsequently recovered by Newark Police Department on Thursday, July 6.

The second vehicle was  2013 Subaru Legacy and was stolen from a residence on Rainbow Trail between 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 and 6:10 a.m. on Friday, June 30. It was subsequently recovered by Newark Police Department on Thursday, July 6.

Then during the early morning of Sunday, July 2, multiple suspects shattered the front door of Zoom Auto Group, 3519 Route 46 and made entry into the building.

They removed multiple sets of keys and stole five vehicles.

Three 2011 BMW 328 (Two were recovered by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office: One on Tuesday, July 4 and one on Thursday, July 6)

Also stolen was a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 and a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK500. These vehicles haven’t been located at this time.

Detective J. Pledger and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office CIS unit responded to the scene to investigate the incident. This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.

Heavy Rain Downpour floods Route 46

PARSIPPANY — Morning rains flooded Route 46 West, across from Troy Hills Shopping Center.

According to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department Route 46 West has been reopened. The water is slowly receding on other roadways. Please use caution.

Multiple roadways are flooding due to the rain. Do not drive through deep water.

Man Charged In Microcap Stock Manipulation Scheme

HANOVER — The owner of a purported business consulting firm was arrested for operating a $1.1 million scheme that artificially inflated the stock price of a publicly traded company he controlled, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick.

James Farinella, 46, Springfield, is charged by complaint with one count of securities fraud. He will make his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda D. Wettre in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint from June through December 2012, Farinella and others allegedly operated a “pump-and-dump” stock manipulation scheme to fraudulently inflate the prices of Pazoo Inc. (PZOO). Pazoo had little or no real business operations, and when it started trading in June 2012, Farinella controlled 98 percent of the free-trading shares in Pazoo.

Farinella and other conspirators allegedly “pumped” the price of those shares by orchestrating a series of trades between accounts they controlled to create the appearance that Pazoo stock was rising in price and heavily traded. In order to further inflate the prices, Farinella and his conspirators also disseminated misleading promotional materials to lure investors to purchase the stocks, including touting Pazoo as a leading provider of nutritional supplements for people and their pets.

After pumping the stocks, Farinella and his conspirators “dumped” them by selling large volumes of the stock to investors at artificially inflated prices. The companies’ stock prices then dropped, causing victims of the scheme to suffer losses. The alleged stock manipulation scheme generated approximately $1.1 million in gross trading proceeds.

The securities fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of twenty years in prison and a $5 million fine.

The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is filing a civil complaint against Farinella.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office, under the direction of Andrew Calamari, for its assistance in this matter.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin S. Herring of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

Joan Clark, 77, loving wife and mother, passed away

Joan L. Clark, (nee Berger), 77, passed away Monday, July 3, at Morristown Medical Center.

Born and raised in Passaic, Mrs. Clark moved to the Lake Hiawatha section in 1971 and was a resident of the greater Parsippany area for 46 years.

She was a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, N.Y.

Mrs. Clark was a professional dancer and owned Les Girls Dance Studio in Haledon. She later worked as a science aide with the Rockaway Meadow Elementary School for 20 years before retiring.

Mrs. Clark is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, William B. Clark; two beloved children, Leslie Miller and her husband, David, of Middlesex, and Sean Clark and his wife, Kimberley, of Parsippany; a sister, Karen Kreiger of South Carolina; four grandchildren, Ashley, Eric, Lyndsay, and Sydney, and a great-granddaughter, Vianne.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Services were held by S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road.

Update: Man killed in Route 80 crash had stopped to adjust bicycles

ROCKAWAY — A fatal fiery two-car crash closed down Route 80 west in Rockaway Township early Tuesday afternoon and a former police officer and Emergency Medical Technician was credited with rescuing the driver and passenger of one of the cars before it burst into flames.

Car fire on Route 80 West

Michael O’Brien, 49, an accountant  from Jersey City, was adjusting his bicycle on his vehicle on the shoulder of Route 80 west near mile marker 33.6 when a vehicle driven by Barbara Potts, 72, of Newark, entered the shoulder, fatally striking O’Brien, State Police spokesman

O’Brien’s girlfriend Maya Vartiainen, a passenger in the truck, but at the time of the accident was standing outside the vehicle while O’Brien was adjusting the bicycle.

State Police said the second vehicle, a 2009 Buick Enclave, was being operated by Potts. There were two other passengers in her vehicle, a male in the front seat, and Mary Briggs in the back seat. Potts and a front-seat passenger had minor injuries and Briggs suffered serious injuries and was transported to Morristown Medical Center. A dog also was in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

State Police said he crash is still under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.

The black smoke from the burning vehicles could be seen for miles

What is replacing Pathmark?

PARSIPPANY — Federal Realty Investment Trust, owners of Troy Hills Shopping Center, will appear before the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board on Monday, July 10, concerning its application for preliminary and final site plan and related “C” variance approval. The public hearing will be heard regarding the property located at 1123 Route 46, designated as Block 729, Lot 7 on the official tax map of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

The Property is located in the B-1 Business District. The property located on the corner of Route 46 and South Beverwyck Road has approximately 19 acres and contains a total of 211,000 square feet of retail, food establishments and banks.

Federal Realty proposes to lease approximately 65,000 square feet of the Shopping Center formerly occupied by Pathmark to a new tenant. The tenant was not named in the application.

The prospective tenant plans to renovate the existing façade of the building by removing an existing 3,168 square foot canopy and by constructing a new 514 square foot building addition and 493 square foot canopy.

The renovation will result in a net reduction in building coverage of approximately 2,165 square feet.

The proposed tenant also proposes a major renovation of the interior of the store, which consists of approximately 65,106 square feet.

The renovated interior space will include approximately 7,845 square feet of grocery space.

Because the proposed renovation of the interior space includes grocery space, the required number of on site parking spaces will be decreased from 1,371 to 1,275.

Federal Realty previously obtained a variance to permit the Shopping Center to be served by only 1,040 parking spaces.

They are not proposing any changes to the existing parking lot. Federal Realty will seek such variances, exceptions and/or design waivers that may be required upon an analysis of the plans and the testimony at the public hearing.

By resolution adopted on July 16, 2014, Federal Realty previously received variances from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment to permit the buildings on the Property to exceed the allowable 20% building coverage limitation and to permit the Shopping Center to operate with fewer parking spaces than required by ordinance. The Applicant now seeks a variance from the 20% building coverage requirement to allow 26% building coverage, where 26.3% building coverage was previously approved.

Current tenants located in the Troy Hills Shopping Centerinclude Michaels, Dollar Tree, Smashburger, Sport Clips, Subway, Petco Supplies & Fish, Sprint, Sally Beauty Supply, Massage Envy Spa, Cups Frozen Yogurt, Pro Hair Cutters, Convenience Liquors, Chipotle Mexican Grill, L.A. Fitness, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill, McDonald’s, Wells Fargo Bank and Panera Bread.

To view a complete site plan of the shopping center click here.

In addition to the former Pathmark space, there are two other vacancies in the center. One vacancy measures 1,538 square feet and the second measures 2,018 square feet.

Pathmark closed in November 2015, after The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, parent company for A&P and Pathmark, announced on Monday, July 20, 2015 that it has filed for bankruptcy.

On Wednesday, July 5, Waterview Marketplace broke ground to contract a new shopping center on Waterview Boulevard just off Route 46. The center will be anchored by a new Whole Foods Market that will occupy 48,000 square feet of the 150,150-square-foot center set to open in 2018. This Whole Foods Market store is set to become the third location in Morris County, and will feature indoor and outdoor dining space for customers.

 

 

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office detective honored for volunteer work 

MORRIS COUNTY  — Aaron King has been a detective in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for about only a year. But he is already earning accolades for his lifelong commitment to the youth of Morris County.

King, 28, is the 2017 Humanitarian Award Recipient of the George Gramby Observance Committee. The award will be presented Saturday, July 8 at 4:00 p.m. at the annual George Gramby Drug & Alcohol Prevention Day at George Gramby Memorial Park in Morristown.

Gramby founded a Morristown drug and alcohol referral center in 1984 called Beginnings and worked tirelessly on behalf of area youth. Following his death in 1992, the Observance Committee dedicated itself to fulfilling Gramby’s wishes by heightening community awareness about the disease of addiction.

“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is proud that Detective Aaron King is being honored for his humanitarian service by the George Gramby Observance Committee,” said Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp. “Detective King has shown his commitment to serving the community as a volunteer and is a positive role model for the youth of Morris County. 

King, who was born in Morristown, gained prominence as a track star in high school and later at the University of Connecticut where he was All Big East Conference in the decathlon. King remains a volunteer coach for many aspiring track athletes, but his reach goes much further than that,

“I stress the importance of community involvement, education and the need to go to college,” he says. King volunteers with the Neighborhood House, a longstanding Morristown institution that works with youth, and Freedom House, a Hunterdon County residential substance abuse treatment center for men. King is also a Mason and volunteers with that organization’s empowerment programs. 

King said he was surprised to be selected for the award, noting his young age.

But age was clearly not a factor with the Observance Committee. In a recent letter informing him of the award, the committee said King was selected because he exemplifies George Gramby’s spirit and passion and because of his “willingness to help others.”