MORRIS COUNTY — A new Morris County Veterans Services Office and Veterans Administration Clinic located in Morris Township officially opened today in a ceremony that included the unveiling and dedication of a POW/MIA Chair of Honor for the county.

The Morris County Board of Freeholders and representatives of the Veterans Administration and officials of the veterans’ group Rolling Thunder Inc., and other military veterans participated in the opening ceremony held this afternoon.

“This is all about making sure we provide quality services for our veterans here in Morris County, to ensure they have a place to get the services they need and the medical care they deserve,” said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.

“My wish is that all of our heroes come through the doors of this center and feel the respect and gratitude we have for their service, and know there always will be a cup of coffee and a warm smile for them from someone who is there to help.”

The new Morris County Veterans Services Center/VA Clinic is located in a dedicated section of the Morris View Healthcare Center. It is three times larger than the county’s former Veterans Services/VA Clinic quarters in the nearby county’s Human Services building, where the veterans’ clinic shared space with other county agencies.

The new center has a meeting room for use by veterans or staff, and provides a space where veterans can congregate and socialize while waiting for their appointments. There also much more room for enhanced programs, and allows for the addition of two staff members with bi-lingual capabilities.

Plans call for improved building access for clients, especially those who are disabled, and additional handicapped parking.

The larger space will allow the county to increase partnerships with community organizations who serve veterans and offer easy links to a wide array of services in one location.

As part of the event, Rolling Thunder Inc. held a “Missing Man Ceremony’’ and unveiling, and dedication of a Chair of Honor, which calls attention to soldiers who have been killed in action, held as prisoners of war, or whose remains have not been recovered.

Representing Rolling Thunder were Gus Dante, a Vietnam-era U.S. Army veteran, who is the organization’s government affairs representative; Joseph Kotch, U.S. Navy Vietnam War veteran, who served on the group’s governing board; and Elaine Martin, national secretary of the group’s POW/MIA Chair of Honor Committee.

The moving ceremony centered around a simple round table, with an empty glass and plate, white tablecloth, burning candle, red rose in a vase with a red ribbon, all set for a returning serviceman or servicewoman who has not come home. For more details about the Missing Man Ceremony click here.

Formed in 1995, Rolling Thunder is a non-profit organization with more than 90 chapters throughout the nation. Their mission is to bring full accountability for prisoners of war/mission in action (POW/MIA) of all wars, and to remind the nation about these veterans, through their actions and watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”

Also participating in the service were the Morris Choral Society and St. Virgil’s Choir; Morris County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard; Rabbi Mendy Herson, Executive Director of the Chabad of Somerset, Hunterdon and Union counties, and the Jewish Center of Basking Ridge; Faith Noah of Bugles Across America; and bagpiper Andy Kerr of Rolling Thunder.

PARSIPPANY — On Tuesday night Republican New Jersey Assemblyman Jay Webber has won his party’s primary in the 11th Congressional District.

Webber is an attorney who has represented the 26th Legislative District since 2008. He won in a five-way contest, defeating Patrick Allocco, Peter De Neufville, Antony Ghee and Martin Hewitt.

Webber will try to keep the seat under Republican control in November now that incumbent Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen has announced his retirement.

Webber raised about $400,000 and had $225,000 cash on hand, more than the next closest fundraiser, De Neufville, who loaned his campaign about $200,000.

Jay Webber said “Thank you to friends, supporters, volunteers, and most of all, the Republican voters of the 11th Congressional District for the trust they have placed in all of us.  So folks, I’ve got one question for you:  how does it feel to be a winner?”

“Our team was unstoppable.  500 volunteers.  2000 lawn signs put up.  4000 door knocks.  15,000 flyers distributed.  40,000 phone calls.  All as the campaign came together in just a few short months, and all because you love this country more than you value your time and convenience.  Thank you to all of you on a job extraordinarily well done!”

“And I want to thank each of Martin Hewitt, Patrick Allocco, Antony Ghee, and Peter de Neufville for offering themselves, sacrificing their time, and giving their energy to our Republican Party.  It is a mark of a strong and vibrant party that attracts good people to want to run under its banner, and our party should be proud of the primary we just had.”

“I congratulate Mikie Sherrill on her victory in her primary and wish her well on the campaign trail.  By all accounts Mikie has given honorable service to our country.  For that, we’re grateful.  But let’s be very clear:  Mikie Sherrill’s vision of America is wrong for our country, and wrong for this district.”

“So as we go into this general election tonight, let’s do so with confidence, knowing we have the message that will win in the fall.  It is a hopeful and optimistic message that prizes people over bureaucracy, and economic freedom over government interference. Remember folks, we are the ones who favor paychecks over food stamps.  We value the dignity of work rather than dependency on government.  We believe in empowerment.  Our opponents believe in entitlement.”

“And our vision for America is working.  You’ve heard the numbers.  Because we cut taxes and red tape, unemployment is down to 3.8%.  Because we have encouraged businesses to invest in America again, wages are up, bonuses are back, and consumer confidence is high. And because we know that a rising tide lifts all boats, African American and Hispanic unemployment figures are at record lows.”

“Those are the numbers.  But they are so much more than that.  We know that behind every statistic is a story, a face, and a hope.  Every time we reduce the unemployment rate, more families are sending their daughters and sons to college.  Every tick up in GDP growth represents more mortgage payments made. Every small business created, or new house started, is another American dream being fulfilled.  That is why these issues are so important.”

“And that is why I have championed, and will continue to champion, the kind of tax cuts that enable those dreams to become a reality.  And know that I will work with anyone, of any party, to help overcome the barriers that stand between our nation and its promise of a better life for anyone who wants to work hard and play by the rules.”

“Yet when it comes to the economy, after all the progress we’ve made, all the opportunities we’ve created, and all the momentum we are building, why would anyone want to reverse course and actually raise our taxes?  But that’s what Mikie Sherrill promises to do. We’ve already had one New Jersey politician promise to raise our taxes, and then do it.  If you think Phil Murphy is going to rob you blind later this month, just think what Mikie Sherrill and Nancy Pelosi will do to us if they get their hands on the wheels of power.  America just can’t afford Mikie in the House of Representatives.”

“Even as good people work toward a freer and more prosperous society, we will always prioritize the value of equality, and the protection of the most vulnerable.
I am the grateful grandson of two working grandmothers, and a working mom. I am the fortunate husband of a Harvard-trained lawyer, and the proud father of four beautiful daughters. Anyone who wants to debate issues important to working women, I welcome the discussion.”

“Oh sure, they will lie, they will distort, and they will deceive to try to steal votes, but in the end the voters will know the truth.  Let’s settle these issues right now:  equal work for equal pay is and should be the law of the land. And victims of domestic violence deserve our protection and support.”

“On issues of workplace equality, of the two candidates in this campaign, only one of us has actually created jobs for working moms.  Only one of us has created a fair, flexible, and welcoming workplace for all of us to enjoy.  Only one of us has actually stood up to powerful interests on behalf of women who have been discriminated or retaliated against in the workforce.  And only one of us has worked on a bipartisan basis and won more support for victims of domestic violence.  Mikie just talks about those things; I’ve done them.”

“And on the issue of public corruption, now, more than ever, with New Jersey suffering through the reign of Senator Bob Menendez, we need public officials who will stand up for what’s right.  You see, when I first ran for the Assembly, I was determined to do my part to restore the confidence of our constituents in their elected representatives. I wanted to show people that not every elected official was in politics to line his own pocket, or get some special benefit that isn’t available to everyone else.”

“To do that, I promised my constituents that if elected, I would not accept the gold-plated health perks available to me as a part-time legislator. I made that promise to save taxpayer money, to be sure, and to date we’ve saved almost $300,000 for the taxpayers. But I did it more because no one else I would represent had access to full-time health perks working a part-time job. My actions would speak louder than my words – I led by example in cleaning up Trenton by putting the taxpayers’ interests over mine, and those of my family.”

“Mikie Sherrill, on the other hand, has not.  She talks a great game about things like accountability, and standing up for what’s right.  But she conveniently looks the other way when her running mate, Bob Menendez, is sanctioned by the United States Senate.  Democrat and Republican Senators alike have told Senator Menendez to repay his ill-begotten gains, but Senator Menendez stubbornly refuses to do so.  And the only thing Mikie Sherrill does is give the Senator a big hug, and run under his mantle, because that’s her path to power.”

“Tonight, I call on Senator Menendez to pay back the gifts he took in violation of the rules of Congress.  And I call on Mikie Sherrill to make the same demand of the Senator. If she doesn’t, this campaign’s debate over legislative ethics will be over before it even starts.”

“I invite all citizens of the 11th Congressional District, whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, to join our movement.  If you care about making sure America remains the kind of opportunity society our mothers and fathers handed us, and the kind of place our children and grandchildren deserve to inherit, then work with us.  In the United States, there is nothing that holds us back, no limit that keeps us down, except those that we allow to be placed on us. I am committed to creating and expanding opportunities for every American, and I hope you are too.”

“This is not the end of the road for this campaign, it’s just the end of the beginning.  And as we go forward together, I’d ask for your continued help, enthusiasm, and support. We’re going to need every ounce, and then some, to win in November.  So let’s go out and win this one for our State, and for our nation,” said Webber.

Jay will now face Democratic challenger Mikie Sherrill in the General Election in November.

VERONA — On Tuesday night in a decisive win, Mikie Sherrill, former Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and mother of four, became the Democratic nominee for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Sherrill was the top vote getter in a crowded field of exceptional Democratic candidates finishing with more than 76 percent of the vote. Mikie will now face career politician Assemblyman Jay Webber in a top targeted race.

Speaking to a packed house of supporters, volunteers, and local community leaders — Mikie Sherrill made the following statement:

“Over the last year, the residents across the 11th District have stood up, spoken out, and built a movement and I’m honored to be their nominee. I’d like to thank all of the candidates, in particular Tamara Harris, whose advocacy and commitment to the people of this district is unwavering.  The results tonight are a clear indication that our community demands new leadership in Congress that will put people over partisan politics and bring change as led by the people of New Jersey. Tonight, we took a pivotal step to make sure we are ready for the tough fight ahead.”

She went on to say, “We know our quality of life is at stake in the 11th Congressional District. Under the current leadership in Congress our families and our communities have faced rising healthcare premiums, a tax increase that singles out New Jersey’s middle-class families in particular, and unmet infrastructure needs that threaten our region’s economic future. We must send new leadership to Congress in order to find common sense solutions that put our kids and our future first.”

Mikie’s campaign started almost thirteen months ago around her kitchen table and from there she built an incredible coalition of grassroots activists, community leaders, Democratic elected officials and national Democratic leaders. In the last thirteen months she has been endorsed by everyone from local grassroots groups like Chatham Moms for Change to Vice President Joe Biden. Through this primary she has not only won the Democratic nomination but played a part in the retirement of 23-year incumbent and Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen. Mikie will now face Republican challenger Assemblyman Jay Webber in the General Election in November.