Earth Friendly Products Celebrates 50-Years of Green Cleaning Innovation

Frank L. Cahill
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Earth Friendly Products Celebrates 50-Years of Green Cleaning Innovation

PARSIPPANY — Earth Friendly Products, the maker of ECOS™ environmentally friendly cleaning products, is celebrating 50 years of green cleaning innovation, a significant achievement in the cleaning products industry. Earth Friendly Products is located at 50 Lackawanna Avenue.

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the family-owned and –operated company, and it will celebrate this important milestone with gala celebrations at its four sustainable manufacturing facilities across the U.S.

The celebrations will occur throughout the month of April in conjunction with global Earth Day celebrations, in honor of the company’s long-standing commitment to environmental protection. Earth Friendly Products has achieved many firsts in developing safer cleaning products. The company has received many awards for its advances in safer green chemistry, including the U.S. EPA’s coveted Safer Choice Partner of the Year.

In 2016, Earth Friendly Products was the first cleaning products company to use the safer ethylhexylglycerin as a preservative in its formulations, partnering with the U.S. EPA to establish it as a Safer Choice–recognized chemical.

Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks

“I’m proud to continue our company’s legacy as an eco-pioneer while making Earth Friendly Products a model for green business practices,” says Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, president and CEO of Earth Friendly Products. “It’s important to me that we continue to lead as an American manufacturer, creating green jobs and supporting local economies. Since the beginning, our mission has been to make plant-powered cleaners that are safer for people, pets and the planet, and to do that for 50 years while supporting our employees and our communities is very rewarding.” Earth Friendly Products is also a nationally recognized leader in corporate social responsibility, paying one of the highest minimum wages in the nation and supporting its employees with numerous family-friendly benefits such as paid healthcare, sick time, and maternity and paternity leave. The company also offers its employees financial incentives to adopt green lifestyle choices, such as purchasing a low-emissions vehicle, installing solar panels, and relocating close to its facilities to reduce carbon emissions and long commutes.

The company was started in 1967 by Eftychios Vlahakis known as Van Vlahakis.

Eric Hanks unveils a Bronze Custom Portrait Sculpture of Kelly’s father, Van Vlahakis

The Greek-born Mr. Vlahakis founded Venus Laboratories in the garage of his Chicago home in 1967. A decade later, he changed the name to Earth Friendly Products and opened a headquarters and factory in Garden Grove, California. He died on April 6, 2014 at his home in Key Largo, Florida. He was 79.

With 300 employees and four     manufacturing plants in the United States, the company topped $100 million in sales last year with biodegradable, chemical-free products sold online and in supermarkets and big-box stores such as Wal-Mart and Costco.

Born in Crete on January 14, 1935, Mr. Vlahakis immigrated to the United States at 18; he had $22 in his pocket. He lived in homeless shelters and supported himself with odd jobs at bars and restaurants while attending Roosevelt University in Chicago. After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1958, he found work in the cleaning products industry.

“Earth Friendly Products is a model for manufacturers across the U.S. that shows you can do the right thing for customers, employees, and the planet and be successful,” says David Levine, co-founder and CEO of American Sustainable Business Council. “Their 50 years of continued growth is a testament to the fact that companies can do good and do well.” Founded in 1967, Earth Friendly Products was launched at the dawn of the environmental movement in the same year that saw the passage of the Air Quality Act and the founding of the Environmental Defense Fund. The company was an early supporter of Earth Day, which traces its roots back to 1970.

Parsippany is home to one of four manufacturing plants nationwide which was welcomed with a Ribbon Cutting hosted by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce  on Earth Day 2015. The Parsippany facility is carbon neutral, water natural, and Zero Waste Platinum certified, saving more than 53 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and diverting more than 95 percent of all waste from landfills.

In addition to the celebration in Parsippany on April 13, other anniversary events will be held at Earth Friendly Products’ facilities in Lacey, Washington, on April 18; Addison, Illinois, on April 21; and the company’s headquarters in Cypress, California, on April 28.

Guests enjoyed an exciting program featuring a locally sourced organic lunch, VIP guest speakers, and the world premiere of videos honoring the company’s legacy in the green movement and its unprecedented achievements in sustainable manufacturing. Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and Vice-President Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Robert Peluso was the emcee of the event.

VIP speakers included Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Senator Joe Pennacchio, Gary Williams, Projects Specialist and Outreach Coordinator and George Helmy, both from Senator Cory A. Booker’s office,  Representatives from Rodney Frelinghuysen’s office, Mayor James Barberio and local representatives and employees of the Parsippany facility.

Menendez and a representative for Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) both presented CEO Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks with American flags that had flown outside the Capitol building in Washington to commemorate the occasion.

Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks presented a check for $50,000 to American Sustainable Business Council. CFO Michael Palmatier and David Levine

During its Parsippany anniversary celebration, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks presented a donation to its key non-profit partners at each facility, including American Sustainable Business Council in New Jersey. At celebrations in other locations, a donation will also be presented to Seattle Children’s Hospital in Washington, the Discovery Cube Museums in California, and the Roosevelt University in Illinois.

“We’re honored to have so many federal and state dignitaries, non-profit partners, and community members join us to celebrate this important milestone in our company’s history,” says Vlahakis-Hanks.

After the celebration and awards CEO Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks provided a tour of the facility so people could see first-hand how the eco-friendly cleaning products are produced. Her fahter’s life story was the basis for “A Green Story,” a 2013 feature film with a cast that included Malcolm McDowell as a villain who tries to force Mr. Vlahakis to sell his company. A short video was shown to the guests at the end of the tour hosted by Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks.

ECOS™ cleaners are produced in the U.S. in carbon neutral, water neutral, and Platinum Zero Waste-certified facilities. ECOS™ laundry detergents are among the over 100 Safer Choice-certified products made by Earth Friendly Products. The U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice program is designed to help consumer find products that are safer for human health and the environment and have superior performance. Earth Friendly Products has more Safer Choice-certified products than any other manufacturer.

For more information about Earth Friendly Products and ECOS™ products, click here.

Former Roxbury High School Assistant Principal indicted on Five Counts of Sex Offenses

Frank L. Cahill
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Former Roxbury High School Assistant Principal indicted on Five Counts of Sex Offenses

ROCKAWAY —  A onetime Roxbury High School Assistant Principal was indicted on five counts of sexual offenses related to an alleged improper relationship with a minor in a case brought by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Rockaway Township Police under the direction of Chief Martin McParland Jr.

Charged by a Morris County Grand Jury was Roger Schneider, 57, Rockaway Township.

He was indicted on one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (a second degree crime), two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (third degree crimes) and two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact (fourth degree crimes). 

The indictment states that between August 1, 2013 and January 1, 2015, the defendant purposely committed acts of sexual contact with a minor who was at least 13-years-old, but less than 16-years-old. At the time, the minor was living with the defendant in Rockaway Township.

Thursday’s indictment supersedes an earlier indictment of Schneider. A second indictment was necessary to address technical, legal issues raised by the defense, which are now moot.

Schneider, who is a former Clifton police officer, was arrested in April, 2015. After the arrest, Schneider was placed on administrative leave by the Roxbury School District. Schneider also resigned his seat on the Morris Hills Regional Board of Education after he was arrested.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank theMorris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and Rockaway Township Police for their work on this case.

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.

Red Cross Appeals for Support to Help One Family During Its Giving Day

Frank L. Cahill
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Red Cross Appeals for Support to Help One Family During Its Giving Day

The American Red Cross is asking people in New Jersey to remember those families impacted by disaster and to #help1family on Giving Day, Wednesday, April 26. Donations can provide hope and urgent relief such as food, blankets and other essentials to people who need it most. 

“Nearly every eight minutes, there is a family that has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster. This one-day nationwide event will raise funds to ensure the Red Cross is able to meet the critical mission of helping those families who have been affected by emergencies,” said Ana Montero, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region.

Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraising campaign supporting the work of the Red Cross, helping people in New Jersey and across the country each and every day in need of emergency support.

Last year, in New Jersey, the Red Cross responded to more than 760 local disasters, mostly home fires, to provide compassionate care and emergency assistance to more than 1,800 New Jersey families. 

To help protect New Jersey families from home fires, the Red Cross and its community partners have installed more than 17,000 free smoke alarms across the state and helped nearly 7,300 families create a fire escape plan through the Home Fire Campaign. To date, the campaign has saved 18 lives in New Jersey. 

The American public’s support of Giving Day is a promise of better days ahead for those in our community who have lost everything. Donations to the Red Cross can be made by clicking here on April 26.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

 About the American Red Cross in New Jersey 
The American Red Cross provides programs and services to a population of 8.8 million in New Jersey. The Red Cross trains and mobilizes more than 5,300 volunteers who support the delivery of services throughout the state. In New Jersey, last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 760 local disasters, mostly home fires, helping more than 1,800 displaced families; collected more than 89,100 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided more than 3,500 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained more than 116,100 individuals with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. For more information, please visit redcross.org/NJ and follow us on Twitter @NJRedCross.

Wawa free coffee day 2017: How, when to get free coffee Thursday at Wawa

Frank L. Cahill
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Wawa free coffee day 2017: How, when to get free coffee Thursday at Wawa

You can get free coffee, any size, at any Wawa Thursday as the convenience store chain celebrates its anniversary. Wawa Free Coffee Day is an annual event that Wawa lovers and coffee aficionados look forward to each year. How do you take advantage of this Wawa coffee special on Free Coffee Day? Well, just show up.…

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Former Boy Scout leader convicted in child pornography case

Frank L. Cahill
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Former Boy Scout leader convicted in child pornography case

PARSIPPANY —A former Boy Scout leader was convicted on eleven child pornography charges in a case brought by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp.

A jury in state Superior Court, Morristown, found Stephen Corcoran, 49, Parsippany, guilty on ten counts of endangering the welfare of a child by possessing child pornography on a thumb drive and one count of exhibiting or showing child pornography to someone else.

Corcoran, who was taken into custody after the verdict was announced, will be sentenced June 2.

Corcoran also faces trial on sexually abusing three juveniles who were Boy Scouts in the 1990s. Those charges were severed from the pornography case and the jury was not told about them. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless, or until, he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

The case came to light in 2011 during an investigation into the alleged sexual assaults. Evidence presented at trial established that a witness disclosed that Corcoran had exhibited child pornography to him and law enforcement subsequently recovered a thumb drive containing child pornography images and videos from Corcoran’s home.

The investigation that led to Corcoran’s conviction was conducted by the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment and High Tech Crimes units of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Criminal Investigation Section of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the Parsippany Police Department. The state’s case was handled by Assistant Morris County Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn.

Letter to the editor: Parsippany Focus has become a true champion for the people of Parsippany

Frank L. Cahill
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Letter to the editor: Parsippany Focus has become a true champion for the people of Parsippany

Dear Parsippany Folks,

Parsippany Focus has become a true champion for the people of Parsippany.  The letter to the editor in the issue below raises serious questions about the behavior of Mayor Barberio and Township Attorney John Inglesino.

Focus article after Focus article has contained invaluable information on the goings-on in our township government, many of which have been of questionable legality.  (You can sign up for emails like the one below on the Focus website.)

In the past, Mayor Barberio’s election strategy has been to run a smear campaign against any challenger.  I cannot think of one case in which the mayor’s sickening claims have been correct.  Each one appears to have been invented.  Maybe the extremist liberal super PAC that supports the Mayor provides the invented dirt.

Nonetheless, he’s won each election.  Apparently smear campaigns work.

Township Council Vice President Robert J. Peluso has announced that he is running for Mayor.  I’ve met Mr. Peluso and know him to be a well-educated, bright, sincere and capable individual whose character and honesty are beyond reproach.

It will be interesting to see what the Mayor invents to smear this honorable man.

Cheers!
Jack Puglis

Letter to the editor: Fake News? Why does an honest Mayor need his own Media Hype? 

Frank L. Cahill
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Letter to the editor: Fake News? Why does an honest Mayor need his own Media Hype? 

Dear Editor:

Its funny how as soon as Trump started the “Fake News” trend Barberio and Inglesino latched on to it immediately. All they have to do is respond to the articles and have the facts checked or have transparency to the elements of the issue; simple right? Wonder how Barberio is really paying for his Plug into Parsippany; he claims its his own money…Interesting that photos were taken by Township employees are appearing on his “personal” blog!

You know they refused my OPRA requested twice; claimed it would be too complicated to itemize all the lawsuits. Remember if Parsippany had completed the Regional Management Consistency Process started in July 2010 ended June 2014 we would have legal protections against developers lawsuits; developers would be suing the State and therefore have a much higher bar to overcome. Inglesino would perhaps still make some money.

Waterview would of never had the outcome it did, and Forge Pond would of happened without all the lawsuits, the original 135 acres turned out to be 124 of which 109+ are wetlands which cannot be developed anyway.

Barberio stated at a Council meeting he likes dealing with Mosberg; why? Waterview even under COAH environmental polices would not be considered for public housing, this was a scam by Inglesino to have his Whole Foods buddies scare everyone, RD certainly acted in bad faith, yet Inglesino dismissed the one case in Morristown, where they attempted to initiate their own COAH polices, the Judge should of immediately dismissed the case; as the issue was not Housing, but refusal of the rezoning, then Inglesino dismissed without prejudice. Keeping RD right alive and well over Parsippany’s grassroots victory, council no vote, no rezone.

Affordable Housing is an obligation, all Parsippany had to do was treat it that way, instead they used it as a fear tactic, instead of working with all parties concerned. Parsippany did not seek a declaratory judgement until other so-called economic improvements were allowed to succeed. Remember also under regional conformance under the Highlands water Protection and Planning Act an agreement is still in effect for conforming communities, with lower housing numbers, with important environmentally sensitive landscapes, and higher standards for water infrastructure.

Rejecting conformance cost tax payers more and is degrading our quality of life. Parsippany is entirely in the planning zone, but developers do not have environmental best practices and ignore landscape characteristics; their plans erase the land, for profit motives. Christie’s NJDEP rubber stamps, favoring private economic concerns over the long term, accumulative affects of corporate interest. Parsippany has more than enough for redevelopment, no new land destruction is necessary. 

Finally is tax ratable chase really worked Parsippany would never be in need of another tax increase, but possibility a decrease. Just think of the money wasted with the lawsuits to nowhere under the Inglesino/Barberio administration. Our Master Plan remains silly putty under this administration. Don’t forget the $3.5 Million we still owe RD developer for the buffer zone, called open space at waterview. This is surely corruption.

In a town where the administrator does most of the work and the Attorney does most of the talking and negotiations with corporate powers and our master plan, why do we need a mayor at all? A mayor’s job is to look after his community, not create jobs for outside interest or giving tax breaks to billion dollar profit corporations like UPS. Their PILOT deal (pay in lieu of taxes) is not a ratable, but a sweetheart deal, $800,000 over a thirty year period if some loophole does not allow them to avoid that during the period. The mayor claimed more office square footage is now occupied because of him, in reality more office space was created in order to do this; UPS new modern office complex; which will bring more traffic, more environmental impacts, and leave plenty of empty office buildings for other needs, (including the office it abandoned in Paramus) or just call it office blight. Regional Planning is Parsippany only hope, any good leader would see this.

When making local planning decisions a municipality must consider the impact of its initiatives on the entire region. The community that wishes to truly determine its future will the additional step of advocating for the creation of a regional Master Plan. Parsippany is rather an enemy of good planning sides with developers over its own citizens and has taken slight to water protection and planning all to favor a law firm and corporate developers. Parsippany committees, open space, environmental, transparency, are purely cosmetic and are not allowed to be active in any sphere of influence to the benefit of life here. This also smells of corruption. 

Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034

Parsippany Town Hall Council Agenda Meeting 04/04/2017

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Town Hall Council Agenda Meeting 04/04/2017

Transwestern Named One of the “Best Places to Work in New Jersey”

Frank L. Cahill
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0
Transwestern Named One of the “Best Places to Work in New Jersey”

PARSIPPANY — Transwestern today announces it has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in New Jersey” by NJBIZ for the fourth consecutive year. Each of the past three years, the publication has ranked the commercial real estate firm among the top two large companies on the list.  Transwestern is located at 300 Kimball Drive.

The award, which will be officially announced along with the company’s 2017 ranking at a ceremony on April 26, honors New Jersey companies that show dedication to their employees’ growth and quality of life.

 “Transwestern believes the key to success in this competitive market is building a collaborative culture that fosters innovation and empowers each and every member of our team,” said James Postell, Transwestern Partner and City Leader. “We’re honored to be recognized among companies in the state that are truly dedicated to cultivating a positive workplace environment.”

Transwestern’s New Jersey team members provide brokerage, property management and construction services for office, industrial, retail and healthcare properties. Some incentives the firm provides include full healthcare and benefits packages; two personal paid days off; eight hours of paid community service; wellness activities including nutrition sessions, competitive races, and in-house yoga; paid training and skills development; certifications and memberships; formal mentorship program; quarterly young professionals’ events; holiday parties; and social events such as an annual boat cruise and team lunches.

The selected companies were ranked based on each company’s policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics, as well as an employee survey conducted by Best Companies Group. 

In addition to this latest award, Transwestern has been recognized nationally as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women for two consecutive years by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®, as well as one of the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America by Springbuk. Across the river, Transwestern’s New York office was named the No. 1 Best Place to Work by Crain’s New York Business.

Since opening its New Jersey office in 2011, Transwestern has established itself as a leader in the state’s commercial real estate market, leading the leasing, property and project/construction management for several significant projects, including the transformation of 300 Kimball Drive in Parsippany into a first-class, multi-tenant office facility. Transwestern’s team members are dedicated to serving their communities through charitable events such as those supporting Make-A-Wish®, Samaritan Homeless Interim Program and the ALS Foundation.

ABOUT TRANSWESTERN
Transwestern is a privately held real estate firm of collaborative entrepreneurs who deliver a higher level of personalized service – the Transwestern Experience. Specializing in Agency Leasing, Management, Tenant Advisory, Capital Markets, Research and Sustainability services, our fully integrated global enterprise adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types. We leverage market insights and operational expertise from members of the Transwestern family of companies specializing in development, real estate investment management and research. Based in Houston, Transwestern has 34 U.S. offices and assists clients through more than 180 offices in 37 countries as part of a strategic alliance with BNP Paribas Real Estate. Experience Extraordinary at transwestern.com and @Transwestern. For updates from the New Jersey office, follow @TranswesternNJ.

Former PHHS Teacher Jenna Leahey Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

Frank L. Cahill
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Former PHHS Teacher Jenna Leahey Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
Jenna Leahey

PARSIPPANY —  A former Parsippany Hills High School teacher was sentenced to flat five years in state prison meaning she will be eligible for parole after serving about 13 months. She  plead guilty to endangering the welfare of a child through sexually explicit texting.

Leahey then must register with police in her hometown as a convicted sex offender under Megan’s Law and is subject to parole supervision for life. She already agreed to forfeit her teaching certification.

The case was brought by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police under the direction of Chief Paul Philipps.

“The state prison sentence for this offender will hopefully send a message that the abuse of children, in any way shape or form, by those in positions of authority will not be tolerated,” Knapp said

Jenna Leahey, 35, was indicted three years ago on two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of second degree Sexual Assault, one count of second degree Official Misconduct and three counts of fourth degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. Leahey, who now lives in Mount Olive, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child by engaging in conduct that would debauch or impair the morals of a minor.

Leahey was an English teacher and field hockey coach when she began an inappropriate relationship with a then 16-year-old student. The relationship started in late January 2013 when the defendant began exchanging sexually explicit text messages with the victim and later sent sexually explicit pictures of herself to him.  The relationship continued through June 6 of that year with acts occurring on and off school grounds.

Meg Rodriguez, the Supervising Assistant Prosecutor, noted that as a teacher of English, Leahey clearly understood what she was doing. 

“Of all people, she knew and understood the significance and power of words,” Rodriguez said.

In pronouncing sentence in state Superior Court, Morristown, Judge Salem V. Ahto noted the “vivid, lurid details” of many of the text messages. 

Prosecutor Knapp expressed thanks to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police for the successful conclusion of this case.

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