PARSIPPANY — Tired of the over-development in Parsippany?  Come out and support
the Puddingstone Heights Community on Wednesday, April 19 at the Parsippany Town Hall at 7:30 p.m.  

Where is the Ridge?  The Puddingstone Ridge is on Watnong Mountain which is the highest
peak located in the southwestern corner of Parsippany.

The ridge is the one remaining forested habits in a historic neighborhood located off of Hanover Avenue and directly behind Greystone Hospital and the Police and Fire Academy.  

At this zoning board meeting, the Puddingstone Developers are seeking to continue to demolish the natural barrier on the ridge, so that they can continue to extend their creeping major subdivision.

 
The Puddingstone Community has witnessed over the past two years the clear-cutting of acres of forest land, steep slope building with retaining walls 14.5 feet. Taller than the Berlin Wall. Major soil movement of tons of fill dirt by the truckload in order to regrade the
hillside and level off the mountainside, causing erosion, contamination of streams, and possible future flooding. Where is the dirt coming from? Habitats of dozens of native animals have been destroyed including protected and endangered species.

Overdevelopment is at your backdoor.  Please support the Puddingstone Community by attending the meeting on Wednesday, April 19.

Express to the town that enough is enough! We are a township, not a city!

For more information join our Facebook group “Stop the Overdevelopment of Puddingstone Ridge/Central Park of Morris.”

Sign our change.org petition and find out more. To join click here:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/savetheridge.

PARSIPPANY — Gary Martin, of Rainbow Lakes section of Parsippany, and Danny Desai, from Lake Parsippany, announce they are teaming up and running as Republican Candidates for Township Council in the June 2023 Primary.  There are two vacant positions available with the retirements of longtime council members Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani.

“We are running for the vacant positions because property taxes are simply out of control in Parsippany,” said Martin.  “13% tax increase in one year is not fiscally conservative, prudent, or sustainable. The actions of this Council are forcing long-time residents to move out of town.  This is unacceptable and must change.”

“Water and sewer bills are choking the financial pocketbooks of our seniors and residents,” said Desai.  “As a successful small business owner, I understand the importance of fiscal discipline and prudent spending.  I will bring this much-needed perspective to local government as a Township Councilman.”

Martin, a retired Police Captain with 25 years of service, has lived in Parsippany for 48 years.  He is a former Board Member of Education, 32 Degree Master Mason, past Shriner, Republican Club Member, and Republican Municipal Committee in District #8. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Police Medal of Honor and 200 Club Recipient.

Desai is a successful small business owner who has lived in Lake Parsippany for almost two decades.  He is married to his wife Rita and has two children, Beejal and Neil, both of who are successful physicians.  He is a Republican Club Member and member of the Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee in District #13.  He has also volunteered with Township on the Traffic Committee and Recreation Advisory Committee.

The team Desai and Martin will bring back the fiscal responsibility to Local Government and the Parsippany Township Council. This is the time to break away from the Old Republican Organization and vote for the New Republic Party.  This new party will be the future of your CHILDREN. They are the future Citizens that will make our community better.  Citizens of Parsippany, please register to vote!

The Republican Primary will be held on Tuesday, June 6.

MORRIS COUNTY — For Autism Acceptance Month, the Morris County community can help Rose House residents without costing a cent!

Answer multiple-choice questions about your shopping experiences, and Rose House will receive automatic donations from HundredX of up to $150 per participant from now until May 2, 2023. ($2 per survey, up to 75 surveys)

Sign up today by texting “contribute” to 90412, or click here on any device. Please share this info with friends and family members aged 18 and up.

Your personal information is safe and secure, as HundredX Causes will not give it to any third-party company.

If you have any questions about this campaign, please email contact@therosehouse.org.

PARSIPPANY — Registration for Parsippany’s Memorial Day Parade is now available. The parade will be held on Monday, May 29, starting at 12:00 Noon. Details for lining up will be emailed upon registration.

To register your company or non-profit group, click here.

For questions, email the Recreation Department at recreation@parsippany.net.

PARSIPPANY — Parsipany-Troy Hills Township Council will introduce the 2023 Municipal Budget on Tuesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.

A resolution is on the public agenda to introduce the budget formally.

You can access the meeting agenda by clicking here.

Council Meetings are videotaped and aired on Public Access Channel 21 at 7:00 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays and are available at www.parsippany.net. You can also view it on Parsippany Focus.

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting will be held on April 18, 2023.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2023 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

Mayor James R Barberio
Council President Loretta Gragnani
Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella

PARSIPPANY — Mary Anne “Psomi” Psomas-Jackloski was installed as the new Pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. The Presiding Minister was The Rev. Tracie L. Bartholomew, Bishop of the Synod.

She was sponsored by The Rev. Wendy Abrahamson, Pastor, Our Saviour, Pompton Plains, and The Rev. Christa Compton, Pastor, Gloria Del, Chatham.

Mary Anne “Psomi” Psomas-Jackloski was born and raised in the Catholic tradition on Staten Island, NY.

She was very involved in the church, and by the time she was in college, she was convinced that God was calling her to be a priest. From this time on, Psomi “flirted” with the Lutheran church. She founded an ELCA congregation in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, in college and almost moved toward ordination.

In her 30s, she searched Staten Island for a good Lutheran Church. Her forties were filled with raising her daughter and doing youth minis­try. Once Maire Frances finished college, Psomi looked again.

Each time it became clearer to her that God was calling and patiently waiting.

Finally, in her late S0s, Psomi pursued spiritual direction with the purpose of figuring out how to make peace with this unrelenting God. Psomi began seminary at Drew Theological in Madison, then transferred to United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, where Psomi could fully immerse herself in being Lutheran.

COVID had other plans, and Psomi never got to ULS. Despite this, through online classes and a group of seminarians from New Jersey, Psomi got steeped in the ELCA.

The good people of St. John’s, Summit, and St. Andrew, along with Pastor Gladys Moore, have taught Psomi how best to be a pastor.

The dream of ordination is finally here, and Psomi thanks God and all God’s people for supporting her and affirming her in this call.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church is located at 335 Reynolds Avenue. Sunday Worship is held at 9:30 a.m. For more information, click here.

PARSIPPANY — It’s time to do away with all those old documents cluttering your home!

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is hosting a Shredding Day on  Saturday, May 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. No weight limit! Rain or Shine!

Please call (973) 263-7273 for additional information. 

MORRIS COUNTY – YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the nearly 2,600 YMCAs across the country, was proud to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship, April 3-7 in Greensboro, NC. Over the past 100 years, this event has hosted thousands of spectacular swimmers – many who have gone on to compete at the collegiate, professional, and masters levels, as well as in the Olympic Games – many of whom brought home medals.

The first YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship occurred in Brooklyn, NY in 1923 with 80 athletes. That original meet included seven individual events and a relay, including a 150-yard backstroke and Fancy Diving event, two disciplines no longer offered at the championship. As the championship has evolved, the size has grown too.

Today, this event hosts over 1,200 athletes from across the country, ages 12-18, competing in over 48 separate events. While most clubs participating in this year’s YMCA National Championships are dual-sanctioned with USA Swimming, the growth of the meet shows the YMCA’s continued importance in the sport – not only in athlete development but as a provider of a massive global network of competitive swimming pools.

Lakeland Hills Family YMCA has a long and storied history of competitive aquatic excellence. Last week, this year’s competitive swim team sent 24 individuals to the Short-Course Championship. Here is the list of all participants: Kai Batchelor, Max Connelly, Finn Coogan Russell, Zoe Davies, Serena Dickey, Carly Frank, Ela Habjan, Gus Hann, Evangeline Iman, Olivia Jastrzab, Connor Johnson, Anna Kilponen, Will Kilponen, Mira Marino, Owen Markowitz, Zach McKatten, Lorelai Page, Ben Papendick, Tyler Roer, Bridget Rynkiewicz, Cooper Voss, Tara Wiarda, Sophia Yousuf, and Victoria Zjawin.

Additionally, the Y Long-Course Championships, as do tryouts for Lakeland Hills YMCA’s competitive swim team, take place later this summer.

The YMCA is a nonprofit organization aiming to build community, develop youth, and create a safe experience for all. The Y strives to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by promoting wellness, mental health, and enrichment through various programs and services. Lakeland Hills Family YMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. As a result of their dedication to these three areas, the Y impacts the community by providing quality services to everyone. The Y doesn’t just focus on physical fitness; it strives to improve mental and emotional health by offering programs and resources that promote overall well-being.

The Y builds relationships, celebrates achievements, and inspires a healthier community. For over 100 years, Lakeland Hills Family YMCA has been the leading community organization serving thousands of people.

For more information on Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, please visit their website by clicking here or email Rosemary Linder Day, Vice President of Marketing and Membership, at rosemaryl@lhymca.com.

No one serves the community as powerfully as the Y does every day.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Commissioners Stephen Shaw and Tayfun Selen joined a press conference earlier today with U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill on the banks of the Whippany River in Morristown, where she presented a $300,000 check – federal funds provided to the Army Corps of Engineers to initiate a “Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study.”

The Commissioners appreciated the opportunity to join the Congresswoman, local mayors, and community leaders to publicly address ongoing efforts to mitigate the flooding that has long impacted communities along the Whippany River.  

Commissioner Shaw spoke on his involvement starting roughly two years ago when Hanover Township Mayor Ace Gallagher invited him to participate in a task force to develop solutions to relieve chronic flooding in the Whippany and Passaic rivers basins. “Just yesterday, some task force members toured sites along the Whippany River to see firsthand the extent of the obstructions in the river that cause the river to back up during rain events … With these watershed study dollars, along with the Whippany River Regional Improvement Initiative funding and ongoing municipal cooperation, we can and will make a difference for those homes and businesses that are subject to chronic flooding,” stated Commissioner Shaw, who is also the liaison to the Morris County Flood Mitigation Program. The groundbreaking program celebrated its 11-year anniversary in March 2023, with 86 flood-threatened homes purchased and restored to Open Space.