PARSIPPANY — An impasse in contract negotiations between the school board and the teachers’ union has led to job actions by union members including their refusal to volunteer for field trips that extend past the school day and to serve as club advisers. The union disputes that it has prompted any change by its members, but…
Construction begins on Route 80 ramp from Route 46 in April
PARSIPPANY — A major bridge demolition and reconstruction project will close the Route 80 ramp from Route 46 starting in April, according to the state Department of Transportation. The DOT said the full closure of the Route 46 westbound ramp to the westbound local lanes of Route 80 will start on April 4 and continue until…
Morris officials describe plans to deal with Zika virus
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County officials plan to fight a possible invasion of the Zika virus by expanding on familiar techniques — the same ones they’ve used for years in their mosquito control program. Two Morris County officials presented their plans for dealing with the possible problem, along with providing information on what the virus is…
Board of Education released information regarding the negotiations
PARSIPPANY — The Board of Education released the following information regarding the negotiations with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association:
The Board of Education (Board) values our teachers and wants to negotiate a fair and equitable contract with them; a contract that addresses the demands of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association (PTHEA), meets the needs of our students, and that our community can afford today and years down the road. The Board would like to provide our community with a more complete understanding of the key current issues which the Board believes are limiting its ability to reach a fair and equitable contract settlement:
- Reductions in the amount PTHEA members contribute to offset District health insurance costs. PTHEA is demanding a significant reduction in the State-mandated amount they contribute to help cover the cost of health insurance. Currently, teachers are provided with Health, Dental, and Prescription Insurance which costs the District $14,598,626.00 per year. The District projects another 9% increase in this premium number for next year. The cost for a teacher’s family coverage currently ranges from $30,280.32 to $31,813.92 per year. While the amount of a teacher’s contribution varies by salary, an average teacher contributes $5,300 to this premium.
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Salary Increases – PTHEA has rejected the Board’s proposed salary increases that are very close to the average salary increases for Morris County school districts.
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Job Actions – Despite the fact that for the past five months our teachers have continued by law to receive all the protections of their previous contract, including full health insurance benefits, the PTHEA has initiated job actions that directly impact our students.
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Property Tax Cap – The State mandated limit of 2% on any property tax increase makes it challenging for the District to maintain current class sizes and instructional and co-curricular programs, let alone attempting to even partially meet the demands of the PTHEA.
We are – and always have been – ready and willing to return to the negotiations table to negotiate a fair and equitable contract. To demonstrate our good faith and to restart the negotiations process, the Board recently hired a new attorney/negotiator to work with both parties to bring current negotiations to a successful conclusion.
Despite PTHEA’s decision to declare an impasse after only a few meetings and implement job actions, the Board met with the PTHEA negotiations team on January 20, 2016 and had a very cordial session where the Board listened intently to the PTHEA’s concerns. Again, in an effort to settle the contract, the Board met with the State mediator on January 26, 2016 and negotiated with the PTHEA until 2:00 AM. Although significant differences remain in the parties’ positions, the Board and the PTHEA both agreed that they would attempt to start brainstorming solutions to address both the PTHEA’s concerns and the Board’s issues that have been on the table since the beginning of negotiations.
Despite the proactive steps the Board has taken to advance negotiations, PTHEA recently decided to prevent its members from volunteering for field trips that extend beyond the school day, participating in student events like “The PHHS Gong Show” and to voluntarily serve as advisors for student clubs. The Board is very disappointed in this most recent job action and understands how unsettling the PTHEA job actions can be for our students, their parents, and our schools. We project that the job action to prohibit teachers from voluntarily advising clubs alone will affect over 500 students. The Board has always taken a strong stand against involving students in labor issues. When one considers that the prior contract only ended on June 30, 2015, and that a major impediment to a contract settlement is the result of legislative action by the State of New Jersey requiring teachers to contribute to the cost of their health insurance, it is unfortunate that PTHEA has imposed these job actions on our students and community. Despite these job actions, the Board looks forward to continuing negotiations with PTHEA and working with the State assigned mediator to resolve the few remaining BOE issues and the unresolved PTHEA demands for salary and benefits. The Board does value our teachers and wants to negotiate a fair and equitable contract to support our high quality teachers. However, the Board must also be cognizant of its responsibility to ensure that a final contract is fiscally responsible and sustainable for our community.
Sheriff Rochford to retire after 51 years in Law Enforcement
MORRIS COUNTY — After fifty-one years of dedicated law enforcement service to the only county he has ever lived in, Morris County Sheriff, Edward V. Rochford, will retire at the end of his current term on December 31, 2016.
Rochford said “Fifty one years in the same profession is a long, long time! My goal when I became sheriff back in 1993, was to take a good sheriff’s office to a higher level. With the officers and employees I have had throughout the years, coupled with the management philosophy I have always maintained, we were able to accomplish just that. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office earned the prestige of being the first nationally accredited sheriff’s agency in the state of New Jersey in 1998. Further, I credit current and former employees for their loyalty and dedication in achieving the Crown Jewel in law enforcement by receiving the coveted Triple Crown Award from the National Sheriffs’ Association for simultaneously being accredited by three national associations in law enforcement and corrections.”
Out of the 3,082 sheriff’s offices nationwide, only 36 of them have ever received this distinction and under the leadership of Sheriff Rochford, the MCSO received this award twelve years in a row. Additionally, since 2004, the Morris County Correctional Facility has consistently been rated in the top 1% of all jails nationwide and that is out of a pool of over 3000 jails.
Rochford originally started his career in 1965 with the Morris Township Police Department and served there for twenty-seven years attaining the rank of Deputy Chief. In 1992, and was elected to the position of county sheriff, and was sworn into office on January 1, 1993. He went on to be re-elected for seven more terms. Rochford made history this past November as the only person in the history of Morris County to achieve fifty years of service in a law enforcement capacity exclusively to the County of Morris.
Sheriff Rochford has been honored with countless awards throughout his career, too many to enumerate, with over 50 departmental awards including Police Officer of the Year while at the Morris Township PD. Some of the more memorable and recent awards/honors include the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award given to him by the New Jersey State Troopers Coalition, 2015 New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement Department Achievement Award, 2015 Special Achievement Award by the New Jersey Taxpayers Association, 2009 Distinguished Leadership Award by the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police, the honor of being named the Morris County Grand Marshal for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 2013 and later this year he is receiving the 2016 Boy Scouts of America Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sheriff Rochford was well known for supporting his officers and employees, and he consistently recognized them for their outstanding work. The services performed by the Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement and Bureau of Corrections were second to none. Rochford was well known for his dedication to the job, being the first one in and the last one to leave the office and then attending numerous events during the evening and weekends; always staying in touch with the residents of the county. Rochford never forgot his roots and always was remained a steward to the county. Rochford will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 4pm in front of the courthouse to release more information.
As for what is entailed for the sheriff upon his retirement…”I am an avid baseball fan and I have always wanted to visit every major league baseball stadium in the country. I will work on knocking this off my bucket list!”
Hindus seek Diwali holiday in Parsippany-Troy Hills School District
PARSIPPANY — Hindus are urging Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District (PTHSD) in New Jersey to include Diwali, the most popular Hindu holy day, as a schools holiday in their 2016-2017 calendar and beyond.
The 2015-2016 Calendar of PTHSD, whose “mission” includes “to develop a feeling of self-worth and confidence”, showed schools were closed for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, while district was closed for Good Friday.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a recent statement, said that it was not fair with Hindu pupils and their families as they had to attend school on their most popular festival.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that this unfairness did not send a good signal to the impressionable minds of schoolchildren who would be the leaders of tomorrow. Holidays of all major religions should be honored and no one should be penalized for practicing their religion. Moreover, it was important to meet the religious and spiritual needs of these students, Zed added.
Rajan Zed stressed that since it was important for Hindu families to celebrate Diwali day together at home with their children, we did not want our children to be deprived of any privileges at the school because of thus resulting absences on this day. Closing schools on Diwali would ensure that and it would be a step in the positive direction.
Zed noted that awareness about other religions thus created by such holidays like Diwali would make the PTHSD pupils well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.
PTHSD needed to develop some sensitivity to diversity in the changing demographics and grant holidays on Diwali and major festivals of other religions so the students did not have to miss school to celebrate their sacred days. PTHSD should awake and understand that we live in 2016 now, Rajan Zed stated.
Zed further says that Hinduism is rich in festivals and religious festivals are very dear and sacred to Hindus. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Besides Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
PTHSD, which reportedly has substantial number of Hindu students, serves about 7250 students in 14 schools, besides an adult education center, in a middle and upper-middle income “ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse” community.
Parsippany is 28 miles west of New York City. Dr. LeRoy Seitz is Interim Superintendent, while Frank Neglia is President of its Board of Education.
Letter to the editor: Where does the money go?
Dear Editor:
Monday, February 1, 2016, I received in the mail a flier “Where does the money go???? It appears the flier was prepared and paid for by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association. Who funds the association I do not know at this time.
The first glaring mistake was that this flier listed Michael Pietrowicz as a sitting Board of Education member. Mr. Pietrowicz’s term expired December 2015. What the flier does not tell the reader:
- Teachers received a very lucrative contract and pay increases at the last negotiation before the Governors cap restriction.
- Par-Troy teachers contract has the highest pay scale and benefits in the county.
- The teachers “ADD ONS” are very lucrative and in my opinion absurd!
- Where were the teachers when administrators got their ridiculous bonuses and pay raises?
- There are many more points I can make as to the flier.
Teachers do not pat yourselves on the back. I and many others know you have a great deal from start to finish. Full coverage medical and dental when you retire, a pension plan far exceeding the private sector. Why doesn’t the Association state the fact that many board members and administrators get their family members jobs in the school system.
Parsippany unfortunately lost one of its most precious, caring, educated board member last year, Dr. Frank Calabria. My many private conversations with Frank over twenty years gave me insight to many areas of the educational system and teachers contracts. I miss him.
In early 2014, I learned how the teachers contract pay increase was distributed throughout the staff. I was very surprised, flummoxed and my first response was that it was not fair. However, upon “a step back approach” I concluded it is fair and just. With all that said, I have been raised to be a soldiers general, the teachers are on the front line, their the foundation, their the ones that must deal with problems face to face every day.
Please keep in mind, the well is getting dry in America, we are in trouble, morally, ethically and financially. I know many teachers personally, many of you know I look at the whole picture altruistically.
Lets work this out.
Roy Messmer
Valori throws in his hat for Freeholder race
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Louis Valori announced at the Randolph Republican Club of his intention to run for a seat on Morris County Freeholder.
Valori, won elected to the Township Council during the November 2013 general election was sworn in on January 1, 2014. His term ends December 2017. He was nominated to serve as President of the Council during the reorganization meeting this past January.
Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo, Freeholder Doug Cabana and Freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo are up for re-election.
They have not officially announced re-election plans.
Also at the Randolph Republican meeting it was announced that Randolph Mayor Roman Hirniak, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Adjustment attorney Peter King will run in the June 7 primary election for seats on the freeholder board.
The freeholder board currently consists of Freeholder Director Kathryn A. DeFillippo, Deputy Freeholder Director Lyon, newly re-elected John Cesaro, new elected Christine Myers and Debbie Smith, as well as DeFillippo, Cabana and Mastrangelo.
Peter King, Esq., did not attend the Randolph Republican meeting on Wednesday, since he was at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Adjustment meeting.
Randolph Mayor Roman Hirniak terms expires December 31, 2016. Hirniak was elected to the Randolph Township Council in November of 2012, after having served two terms on the planning board and one term each on both the recreation advisory committee and the traffic advisory committee. During calendar year 2015, he was the township’s deputy mayor. Roman is a member of the Randolph Rotary Club, attends St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany and serves as a pedagogical advisor to the Ukrainian Educational Council. A graduate of Marquette University and The John Marshall Law School, he is a vice president and senior counsel with Santander Bank, N.A. His son Alex is a freshman at Rutgers University, studying biomedical engineering and his daughters Juliana and Adriana are, respectively, a junior and a freshman at Randolph High School. Roman enjoys swimming laps at the Randolph YMCA and lives on Ridge Road in the Mount Fern neighborhood.
King was a partner in a law firm with ex-state Senator John Dorsey and currently is a partner in the law firm King & Petracca, located at 51 Gibraltar Drive.
King is a certified diplomate in municipal law in the State of New Jersey and has extensive municipal experience, including positions as: Municipal Attorney; Conflict Counsel; Municipal Planning Board/Zoning Board Attorney; Municipal Board of Health Attorney; Municipal Prosecutor; Historic Preservation Commission Attorney; Water Commission Attorney; and Defense Counsel for various insurance funds.
Mr. King is admitted to the bar of the State of New Jersey, and to the U.S. District Court District of New Jersey and is a graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Meet Meadow! Meadow is looking for her furever home
Meadow is between two to three years old, weighs about fifty pounds and she is beautiful! She has a beautiful shinny black coat with white on her chest and her four paws. And, just look at those eyes!
Meadow was dropped off at a high kill shelter in North Carolina after she was hit by a car. The nice people at the shelter took her to the vet where it was deternined she had a dislocated hip. The vet treated her hip and Meadow is now a happy pup!
When Furever Home Dog Rescue (FHDR) heard about how sweet and friendly Meadow was, we transported her to a nice foster home here in New Jersey. Her foster family says….”Meadow is an absolute Love!! She is very affectionate and loves being with people! If you are standing or sitting, Meadow will lean into you to get petted. She spends her days going to long walks and playing with our dogs. Meadow is very gentle and sweet and is an all around great dog. We love her!”
Get your application in now, we know with her personality she will be adopted quickly.
If you have a furever home for this pet, please e-mail FHDR@att.net and request an adoption application.
Northvail Participates in the Flat Stanley Project
PARSIPPANY — A third-grade teacher in Ontario, Canada started the Flat Stanley project in 1995. The idea was to make a paper cutout of the main character from the book “Flat Stanley,” by Jeff Brown, and mail that cutout around the world, keeping a journal of where Stanley had been.
The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect your classroom with other classrooms participating in the Project by mailing “flat” visitors, created by the children. Kids then talk about, track, and write about their flat character’s journey and adventure similar to a pen-pal activity. In addition to letter-writing skills, keeping track of Flat Stanley supports lessons in geography.
A few weeks ago Ms. Cassetta, Mrs. Tangorra and Mrs. Hackett, first grade teachers at Northvail School, introduced the Flat Stanley Project idea to theirstudents, and they were very excited to participate. They sent letters to many places in the U.S. and countries around the world including India, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Dubai to name just a few.
Every day they are receiving responses. So far they have received correspondence from Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Oregon and Texas.
Pepper is found; returned safely to his family
FAIRFIELD — Parsippany Focus published a story last week regarding a dog escaping from Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (click here to read story). The story has a happy ending.
Pepper is safe and sound and will be reunited with his family. Scott, a Good Samaritan wearing a UPS shirt and driving a white truck, saw a small dog on Bloomfield Avenue across from Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (where he escaped) and stopped his truck.
Gena, one of the overnight technicians at Animal Emergency & Referral Associates was walking a dog at 3:00 a.m. and saw the truck.
She brought the dog she was walking inside, and headed back out into the night to help the man recapture what she thought was his own dog.
When she got closer she saw that it was Pepper! When she crouched down and called Pepper’s name, he looked right at her, and then took off running.
Gena immediately took off after Pepper and Scott followed in his truck to help her. After Gena chased Pepper on foot for a full mile in the dark of night down Bloomfield Avenue and then down Route 46, Gena and Scott finally were able to corner Pepper.
Scott was able to get close enough to step on the leash that was still attached to Pepper and recapture him.
Another wonderful overnight technician arrived by car to then take Gena and Pepper back to the hospital.
Pepper had a full evaluation including blood work and x-rays and is in good health and good spirits.
He got a nice warm bath and a soft fluffy blanket so he can nap until his Mom picked him up later that day.
(Please note: He is considered a severe flight risk and will NOT leave the hospital until he is reunited with his family.)
Davey Willans takes oath of office
PARSIPPANY — Long-time resident Davey Willans was sworn in as the newest member on the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Adjustment.
Willans was appointed by the Township Council to a two-year term as an alternate member. His term will expire on December 31, 2017.
Other members of the Board of Adjustment include Robert Iracane, Chairman; Jonathan Nelson, Vice-Chairman; Mr. Bernie Berkowitz; Mr. Scot Joskowitz; Nancy Synder, Aida Visakay, Dave Kaplan and Mr. Sridath Reddy. Harriet Jacobs is the Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary. Willans and Joskowitz are alternate members.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment reviews all applications for relief from provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. The Board’s principal duties are to hear appeals, grant variances and rule on “use” applications.
The Zoning Board is comprised of seven regular members and two alternates appointed by the Township Council. All Board Members are Township residents. The Board reviews subdivisions and site plans with variances.
Mayor: Where’s the Cash?
PARSIPPANY — Fellow taxpayers (residential, corporate, landlords and renters) we are getting ripped off in a lot of ways in Parsippany. Let me succinctly explain one of the rip offs: medical self insurance.
Mayor Luther with the consent of the then town council went self-insured. At the time (in my opinion) it was the correct choice due to cost savings and made good economic sense for the future. Going into year 2016, Parsippany is with the same Broker and Insurance Administrator with one exception- Mayor Barberio dropped one of the Company Brokers. The sole Broker is Fairview Insurance (Google: Follow the Money). Fairview is a big time political contributor to candidates and PACS.
Parsippany is currently paying approximately $50.00 a month per employee to Fairview. The average rate statewide is approximately $25.00 to $28.00 per employee. Parsippany Troy-Hills number of employees is 550.
Par-Troy 550 x $50.00 = $27,500.00 per month
average rate 550 x $25.00 = $13,750.00 per month
rip off $13,750.00 per month
Why, you the reader can figure that out! I have asked Mayor Barberio publicly, because Parsippany is self-insured and our loss ratio has been very low the last three to four years where is the surplus? In other words, where’s the Cash?
In closing, Governor Chris Christie has made the state medical insurance program very attractive to townships. Please get involved it’s your town.
Letter to the editor: Parsippany Officials Need Enforce Sanitation Ordinances
Dear Editor:
Last evening Council Meeting, Tuesday, February 2, brought to light a new “supervisor” on board for the Sanitation Department. It was mentioned part of his job will be to speak to students on the importance of waste management and its impacts on the world.
One would think the Board of Education would already have such a program or agenda somewhere in the curriculum, even at a most basic level; poster or enforcement on school property; “a litter free school area”; similar to the drug free zones now in place. In Japan for example; students are responsible for keeping their class rooms and school property clean, through a program of a collective cooperative. Perhaps something along these lines can be considered by the BOE.
Any student seen littering or areas effected by student aberrant behavior such as littering such be addressed by administering their time and labor in any clean-ups. Custodial staff, teachers or any person involved with BOE duties should be encouraged to report any such behavior. Do not feel a municipal sanitation supervisor should spend time in this aspect of our behavior, but rather the BOE itself. The sanitation employee should devote his duties and responsibilities to law enforcement and reporting offensives that are on-going and too obvious to overlook.
Many such violations of the local ordinances, State and Federal laws go unabated. How long has recycling been in effect? There can no longer be any latitude given in not enforcing our local and State laws concerning littering, residents, property owners and businesses must be held responsible.
Our street and public places are a disgrace. A consumer convenience and free society must reign in its lack of being responsible and civic minded. Fines and Penalties are in order, only these long overdue measures will give any chance to bring a remedy to our abused places of common. We need conscience discipline from our, Police, sanitation crews, housing department, health department, road department, even parks and forestry. It is this lack of concern that has allowed the corporate mess of plastic that now infects our world everywhere we go. Only enforcement of the ordinances have any chance of bring this disease of convenient consumption under control. Too many things divide us rather than bring us together excepting this behavior and using public spaces for a garbage dump must no longer we excepted as the norm.
Nick Homyak
Jeep overturns on Route 46; Driver arrested for DWI
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle crash in the area of 1540 Route 46 at 1:52 a.m. on Sunday, January 31.
The caller also reported that the vehicle rolled over. Multiple units responded to the scene, at which time they located a 2012 Jeep Wrangler laying on its side, in the right lane of travel of Route 46 East.
Witnesses stated the 2012 Jeep Wrangler drifted into the left travel lane of Route 46, over-corrected and hit a snowbank on the right hand shoulder of Route 46. Then the Jeep flipped onto its die and slid to stop in the middle of Route 46.
The driver, James Chu, 46, Florham Park, was standing outside of the vehicle upon arrival of responding patrols. After a brief investigation Patrol Officer E. Elston placed the driver under arrest for driving while intoxicated and transported him back to Parsippany Police Headquarters.
Upon arrival at Parsippany Police Department, Mr. Chu was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, and Driving While Intoxicated in a School Zone.
He was released on his own recognizance into the custody of a family member, pending his court appearance.
John ‘Jack’ Joseph Dolan Sr., 76 passed away
PARSIPPANY — John ‘Jack’ Joseph Dolan Sr., 76, a lifelong resident of Morris County, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 29, 2016 after a long illness.
Jack was born in Morristown and grew up in Cedar Knolls. He lived in Parsippany for 46 years before moving back to Cedar Knolls in May of 2015.
Jack graduated from Bayley-Ellard High School in 1958 and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He was a construction engineer and a founding member of Garden State Tunnel and Boring, where he functioned as President and Treasurer until 2004, and was a member of the Utility Contractor’s Association of New Jersey.
Jack’s greatest love was his family, which he raised in Parsippany. He was dedicated to serving his community, and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany for many years. He also ran for Morris County Freeholder in 1979, and was the Chairman of the Parsippany Democratic Party, as well as a graduate of the first Parsippany Police Academy. His love of photography earned him various awards, including one from the Audubon Society. Jack was also an avid boater.
A devoted Catholic, Jack was a member of St. Catherine of Siena in Mountain Lakes for 46 years.
Jack and his family are also grateful to Dr. Yekyung Kong and the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation for their many years of care and support.
Jack was deeply loved by many, and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his loving wife of 54 Years, Marilyn (nee-Lorenzo); his son, John of New York City; his daughter, Maureen Dolan and her husband, Andreas Braunlich of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and his granddaughter, Lindsay Jawor and her husband, Alex, of Wanaque. He is also survived by his siblings: Robert, Patrick, Michael, Eileen Ferriauolo, Peter, and Kathleen and their families, as well as the families of his predeceased siblings: Richard, Thomas and David. Survivors also include his brother-in-law, Dr. Louis Lorenzo and his wife, Francine, as well as his sister-in-law, Mildred Payack and her husband, Paul, and their respective families.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3 at St. Catherine of Siena R.C. Church, 10 North Pocono Road, Mt. Lakes. Interment: Holy Rood Cemetery, Morristown.
Visiting Hours will be on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Par-Troy Funeral Home, 95 Parsippany Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome in Jack’s name to the Kiwanis Sponsored Youth Program of Parsippany. (Checks made payable to: Kiwanis Club Greater Parsippany Foundation) P.O. Box 5342, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 or to the Kessler Foundation. 300 Executive Drive, #70, West Orange, New Jersey 07052.
Morris County Sheriff’s Office Holds First Clergy Academy
MORRIS COUNTY — This past week the Morris County Sheriff’s Office completed its first ever Clergy Academy.
More than thirty religious leaders from throughout Morris County participated in this three session program. The academy included a dialogue between law enforcement and the clergy about their role in police community relations as well as an overview of our criminal justice and public safety system.
The participants also toured the award winning Morris County Correctional Facility and was given a realistic look at Use of Force by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Department of Law & Public Safety in its Vir Tra Firearms Simulator.
The participants also met with the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit and was given a demonstration of police canines are used to detect drugs and explosives as well as rescue those in danger. The participants overwhelmingly enjoyed the program and felt that they learned a lot about law enforcement.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Paul Philipps also provided an overview about municipal law enforcement and answered many questions from the clergy. This successful program brought diverse groups from throughout Morris County together. “Programs like these are vital to good relations between law enforcement and citizens”, said Undersheriff William Scheivella who also serves as the President of the NJ Police Community Affairs Officers Association.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office has a number of free community programs for the community which can be requested by government or community groups by calling (973) 285-6600.
List of Morris County Religious Institutions Participating:
Saint Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Parsippany
First Baptist Church of Parsippany
Yogi Divine Society, Parsippany
New Hope Community Church of the Nazzarene, Denville
St. John the Beloved Church, Morris Plains
Parsippany Christian Church
Saint Paul’s Church, Morris Plains
Saint Lukes Catholic Parish, Long Valley
Church of Saint John, Randolph
Mount Freedom Jewish Center, Randolph
Christ Church, Rockaway Township
First Baptist Church, Dover/Rockaway
Morris County NAACP
Salvation Army, Dover
Parsippany Living Waters Church
Iglasia Evangelica Church, Dover
Chabad Center of Randolph
Jewish Community Housing Center, Whippany Presbyterian Church of Morristown
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Wharton
Saint Clement Pope & Martyr Church, Rockaway Township 
Wegmans Alerts Consumers to Facebook Scam
ROCHESTER, NY – Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is alerting consumers to a scam that involves a fraudulent Facebook post bearing the company’s name. The company became aware of the scam earlier today when an employee questioned the validity of the post.
The Facebook post shows the image of a Wegmans storefront with a false claim that the company is giving away a free $200 grocery coupon. This giveaway is neither affiliated with nor supported by Wegmans.
Jo Natale, Wegmans vice president of media relations, said, “We’re actively working to have this fraudulent post removed from Facebook. We urge consumers not to click it, share it, or provide any personal information.”
Wegman’s will be opening in Hanover, on the border of Parsippany in early 2017. (see related article.)
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is an 88-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 18 consecutive years, ranking #7 in 2015. The company also ranked #1 for Corporate Reputation, among the 100 ‘most-visible companies’ nationwide in the 2015 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient ® study.
Letter to the editor: Why were Parsippany schools open on Monday, January 25?
Dear Editor:
My wife and I did not take the car out on Monday out of respect to our fellow residents, road crews and emergency /police personnel. You, Mr. Seitz, Superintendent of Schools put our students and staff at risk. Parsippany’s population due to business environment increases tremendously Monday thru Friday. I’ve seen you close schools with two inches of snow. The hills, winding roads and low areas in Parsippany make for very dangerous driving in normal conditions. Did you, Mr. Seitz make your decision after speaking with Parsippany’s Police Chief and Mayor?
The previous Monday schools were closed to make for a much needed three day weekend, I’m being sarcastic, two weeks earlier was the ten day holiday break. By the way, in my opinion, schools should be open to celebrate the day for Martin Luther King Jr’s life so that this generation can be exposed to what this country was like in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Obviously, I hope nobody was hurt or in an accident due to Mr. Seitzs poor decision. The current Board of Education better start making common sense decisions as to the welfare, safety and education of the students.
Roy Messmer