MORRIS COUNTY — Senators Joe Pennacchio and Bob Singer condemned the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas into Israel over the weekend and called on New Jersey legislators to immediately return to Trenton to pass a resolution supporting Israel and the Jewish people.

“Israel is the home for all Jewish people throughout the world. It breaks my heart to see the senseless violence that has erupted in Israel after visiting the country just a few weeks ago. We must condemn the unjust violence against Israel and offer our unwavering support for our Jewish communities during this difficult time,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The atrocities being committed by Hamas Terrorists against innocent women and children are horrible. Everyone has a right to exist in peace. The Senate should return to Trenton immediately to pass a resolution to show that we stand in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People.”

Senator Pennacchio and Senator Singer announced that they would be drafting a resolution that shows support for Israel in the wake of ongoing terrorist attacks in the Middle Eastern nation.

“As the representative for the largest Jewish community in the State, I find the terrorist attacks in Israel to be incredibly abhorrent. The Jewish community deserves the Legislature’s unwavering support in the wake of this horrific violence,” said Singer (R-30). “My heart breaks for the families impacted by this global atrocity. It is necessary now, more than ever, for the Legislature to stand in solidarity with our Jewish communities. The Senate must reconvene in Trenton to pass our resolution and condemn Hamas for their violence against Israel.”

PARSIPPANY — The Immunization Clinic for Dogs and Cats will be held on Saturday, November 18, at the Office of Emergency building, at the Recycling Center, 1 Pumphouse Road.

Dogs and Cats

• No charge for dogs and cats (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• Dogs must be restrained on a leash and accompanied by an adult
• Cats must be restrained in carriers or similar carrying devices

Any questions please call the health department at (973) 263-7160.

PARSIPPANY — Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Communities through the Summer Employment Act. This legislation will provide funding to Summer Youth Employment Programs to expand job opportunities for youth and to develop innovative programs that improve economic and criminal justice outcomes for young people in New Jersey and across the country. These evidence-based job programs have a proven track record of reducing crime rates. Particularly at a time when criminal organizations are recruiting minors to commit auto thefts and other crimes in New Jersey, this legislation will give young people economic opportunities that will help keep them out of the justice system and strengthen the safety of our communities.

“I saw firsthand as a former Outreach and Reentry Coordinator at the U.S Attorney’s Office that job training programs not only help people get ahead but can also significantly reduce crime and improve public safety. I’ve heard similar feedback from mayors, law enforcement, and community leaders across New Jersey,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill. “That’s why I’m taking action with legislation that will offer thousands of young New Jerseyans an opportunity to build important career skills and enter the workforce, which will set them up for success later in life and make our communities stronger and safer for the long-term.”<

“My college summer job as a snack vendor at Yankee Stadium gave me invaluable work experience and enabled me to hone my time management skills. By providing youth with meaningful employment opportunities, we not only empower them to develop essential skills, but we also instill a sense of purpose and responsibility,” said Rep. Mike Lawler. “For these reasons, I’m proud to join Rep. Mikie Sherrill in introducing The Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act, which would create a grant program to help fund Summer Youth Employment Programs and improve economic and criminal justice outcomes for youths. Jobs serve as a powerful deterrent, redirecting the energy and aspirations of our young population toward building promising futures. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bipartisan bill passed.”<

The Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act has been endorsed by the National Troopers Coalition, International Union of Police Associations, New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, andNewBridge Services. Original cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Don Davis (NC-01), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and David Trone (MD-06).

“The National Troopers Coalition is pleased to endorse the Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act introduced by Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Mike Lawler. Our leadership, as well as our membership of approximately 47,000 state troopers across 43 member states, appreciate the leadership of Congresswoman Sherrill in working to address systemic youth unemployment,” said Nathan S. Johnson, Chairman of the National Troopers Coalition. “We know through experience that our communities are safer when young people have the opportunity for productive activities throughout the year. We believe this legislation represents an important investment in providing young people with productive summer opportunities, increasing their skills, improving their economic opportunities, and helping to strengthen our communities.”

“The International Union of Police Associations is proud to announce our support of the Strengthening Communities Through Summer Employment Act. The act will provide subsidized employment opportunities for our youth and, as we have seen, have a major impact on juvenile crime rates,” said Sam Cabral, President of the International Union of Police Associations. Many of our youth have little access to jobs, leaving them without worthwhile activities and the opportunity to build their self-esteem and learn job skills. The programs have been shown to significantly reduce juvenile crimes where it has been available in Chicago, New York, and Boston. We look forward to an expansion of this program and the positive results it will have on the safety of our communities and the future of our young.”

“Whenever we can engage with youth, investing in their ongoing education, emotional well-being, and leadership opportunities, there is a beneficial impact. Law enforcement firmly believes that positive and ongoing engagement with youth directly correlates to a reduction in criminal activity,” said Rockaway Borough Police Chief and New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Legislative Committee Chair Conrad Pepperman. “Statistics routinely show that summer youth employment programs drastically reduce crime and interactions with police. The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police strongly supports this bill and appreciates the Congresswoman’s efforts to create subsidized jobs for teens. It is impactful legislation that deserves widespread support.”

“Preparing our youth for the workforce is a top priority for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce – and our Foundation – and it is never too early to begin that critical work. By providing summer employment opportunities in communities where they are not always available, we are helping students to build the necessary skills to enable them to succeed long-term in college or at future jobs,” said Thomas Bracken, President & CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “We applaud Rep. Mikie Sherrill for recognizing the importance of this issue – and especially for introducing the Strengthening Communities Through Summer Employment Act which aims to benefit those youngsters from challenging and often disadvantaged backgrounds.”

“NJBIA joins Reps. Sherrill and Lawler in strong support of the Summer Employment Act. As we helped create and advance into law a bill that would expand teen worker hours in New Jersey, we understand the great need to help employers find more youth workers, allow them more opportunities for more hours and more pay, and also help New Jersey residents and visitors receive better service at their favorite destinations, retailers and stores,” said Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. “Improving criminal justice outcomes through enhancement of existing employment programs, or the creation of new ones where needed, makes this bill a win-win-win for employers, employees, and the public.”

“I am excited to see Congresswoman Sherrill’s new legislation ‘The Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act’ introduced today,” said Senator Linda Greenstein (LD-14). “These programs not only help young adults get started in the workforce, but they allow them to gain truly invaluable career skills and life experience. New Jersey – and the nation – will be well-served by this legislation.”

“Our Annual Summer Youth Employment Program provides high school and college age residents with opportunities to gain valuable experience that will help prepare them for the workforce and their future,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.“Congresswoman Sherrill’s Strengthening Communities Through Summer Employment Act legislation represents a greater investment in the future of our young adults and will help put our next generation on a path to success.”

“Summer youth employment programs have been a great source of support for young students to obtain much-needed funds to assist them in the following school year,” said Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stephens. “Entities like the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office would certainly compete for these funds because, we believe, a summer with our office can provide the unique opportunity to develop great mentor/mentee relationships while helping dispel negative community images about law enforcement and the careers it can offer.”<

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said in support, “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and New Jersey law enforcement through recent juvenile justice reforms, strive to help young people avoid involvement in criminal conduct. Subsidized jobs, made possible through the proposed Act, could be one such method for connecting youth with meaningful employment, and potentially avoiding an unacceptable escalation of misconduct. In addition to income, our young people can gain career skills and mentorship, which enable them to grow into stable, adult citizens.”

“Keeping our children engaged in meaningful productive activities is essential to their success as students and human beings. Programs, such as these, keep our children engaged in positive initiatives which reduce crime and give our youth purpose and experience that will assist them not only as children but for their professional and public life,” said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

“This is a great initiative that provides community engagement and outreach to juveniles. From a criminal justice standpoint, it helps divert juveniles away from criminal paths and mentors them to become productive members of the community. From an economic perspective, it will help fill staffing shortages within our community businesses and help underprivileged families earn extra income. This bill will integrate juveniles with the community and will instill a sense of pride, which will ultimately help to reduce juvenile crime rates,” said Chief George Ricci, Bloomfield Police Department.

“For many young people, the best Summer program is a job. The best mental health program is a job. The best criminal justice diversion program is a job. The best violence prevention program is a job. Keeping our young people engaged in civic and economic life is essential to their well-being, as well as great preparation for adulthood. A job is the perfect vehicle to accompany the majority of our youth through the storms of adolescence, and ensure they remain healthy,” said Robert N. Davison, MA, LPC, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris.

“An investment in young people is an investment in our future and to strengthen New Jersey communities. That’s why NewBridge has been providing career-building services to out-of-school youth for more than 40 years,” said Michelle Borden, CEO of NewBridge Services. “Summer employment opportunities have been proven to change lives and reduce criminal activity among youths. Congresswoman Sherrill’s legislation is forward-thinking, sets kids up for success, and will help break down barriers and inequities for kids who need it most.”

The Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act will create a new competitive grant program within the Department of Labor to fund Summer Youth Employment Program operators. Funded programs will be required to match participating young people with an employer based on the needs of the employers and skills and interests of the youth; provide coaching and mentoring services and job readiness supports such as career counseling and digital literacy training to youth participants; and partner with a research organization to conduct a rigorous evaluation of the program.

This legislation will also provide competitive grants to Summer Youth Employment Program operators to develop and implement innovative approaches to subsidized summer employment that are not already used by existing programs but show promise in improving economic and criminal justice outcomes for youths, such as individualized and high-dosage mentoring; job training, resume development, and financial literacy classes; and mental health and substance abuse supports where needed.

Summer Youth Employment Programs have been successfully implemented in a number of cities and towns across New Jersey. Essex County and Morris County both operate youth employment programs to help young people gain workforce skills, while Newark’s program has been significantly scaled up in recent years to serve over 3,000 young people annually.

Nationwide, Summer Youth Employment Programs have demonstrated significant promise in reducing violent crimes across several rigorous evaluations:

• Chicago’s youth summer jobs program reduced violent crime arrests among participants by 45%, leading to a benefit-cost ratio of as much as 11 to 1;
• Boston’s youth summer jobs program reduced violent crime arrests among participants by 35% and property crime arrests by 57%; and
• New York City’s youth summer jobs program reduced felony arrests among participants by 23% and felony convictions by 38%.

PARSIPPANY — In a display of commitment to their community and vision for Parsippany’s future, Town Council candidates Judy Hernandez, Bernard Clarkin, and Matthew Kavanaugh hosted an elegant campaign reception at the Knoll West Country Club.

The upscale venue was buzzing with energy as supporters, family members, and local dignitaries converged to show their endorsement and learn more about the trio’s electoral platform. Eloquent speeches, compelling visions, and engaging conversations dominated the evening, presenting a unified vision for a prosperous Parsippany.

As attendees mingled, sipped on drinks, and enjoyed the culinary delights, the air was thick with anticipation and optimism. Each candidate took turns addressing the gathering, sharing their aspirations for the community, and detailing plans they intend to implement once in office.

The event also served as a timely reminder of the critical dates leading up to the elections.

By the evening’s end, it was clear that Hernandez, Clarkin, and Kavanaugh had not only solidified existing support but likely won over a few undecided voters with their passion and dedication.

Judy Hernandez is a 24-year resident of Parsippany. Judy, an environmental engineer by trade, has decades of local volunteer experience, which has delivered real results for Parsippany residents. Judy has served on the Parsippany Planning Board, the Environmental Advisory Committee, and the Parsippany Child Day Care Center board. Judy is running to bring proven and sustainable environmental and economic strategies to Parsippany, continuing her volunteer service to our community.

Bernard Clarkin is a 35-year resident of Parsippany. He is a certified public accountant and has served as chief financial officer of a mid-size service company for over 20 years. He has owned and operated a small business for the last ten years and will bring decades of financial and budgeting experience to the Council. Having spoken out at several Council meetings, Bernard is running to bring more transparency and strong fiscal oversight to our local government.

Matt Kavanagh is a 10-year resident of Parsippany. A United States Naval Academy graduate, he is the Parsippany Green Team co-leader and currently serves as a chief operating officer of an energy services company. Matt has dedicated his career to the energy sector, including renewable energy, sustainable solutions, and energy services to facilitate a clean and equitable environment. He has written grants resulting in thousands of dollars in funding for Parsippany. He is running to bring that expertise to our governing body.

“I’m excited to endorse this terrific slate of candidates focused on issues that matter to residents!” said Morris County Democratic Committee Chair Amalia Duarte. “They are committed to listening to residents’ concerns and fighting to improve the quality of life in Parsippany.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Recently, Assemblyman Brian Bergen organized a fundraiser in support of his re-election to the Assembly. The event highlighted his widespread appeal and popularity, as every time Brian Bergen hosts such an occasion, there’s always an impressive turnout.

Dignitaries from various levels of government were present in the audience, showing their support for Bergen.

Brian Bergen has been a member of the Assembly since January 2020.

A combat veteran, Brian Bergen served with distinction for eight years in the U.S. Army after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point. During his military service, he was an officer, company commander, and Apache helicopter pilot – assignments that earned him a Bronze Star and the Combat Action Badge for his actions in Iraq.

In business, Bergen rapidly progressed through a variety of positions in multiple industries, including finance, operations management, process improvement, general management, executive management at the vice president level, and entrepreneurship. He is the owner of Bergen Botanicals, an interior landscape company, and is in the process of purchasing a second business.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from West Point, an MBA from Rutgers Business School, and a master’s degree in administration of justice and security from the University of Phoenix. He also earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate in business operations improvement from Villanova University.

Previously he was a Denville Township councilman from 2017 to 2019 and as vice chairman of the zoning board.

He and his wife, Kristin, and their two children, Samantha and Justin reside in Denville.

PARSIPPANY  — In the spirit of the spookiest time of the year, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills has once again shown its creative flair by decorating the Town Hall planter with an array of Halloween-themed ornaments. As townsfolk pass by, they are greeted by a mesmerizing blend of jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, and flags, ensuring that the spirit of Halloween is alive and well in the heart of the community.

Members of The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills gathered over the weekend, armed with pumpkins, and an assortment of decorations, turning the once simple planter into a festive Halloween masterpiece. With the full moon approaching and the chill of fall in the air, the transformed planter adds to the ambiance and serves as a delightful reminder of the upcoming holiday.

“I love seeing the children’s faces light up when they walk by,” commented Marilyn Marion, Co-President of the Womans Club. “It’s a small gesture, but it brings so much joy to our community. We’re always looking for ways to give back and brighten people’s days, especially during these times.”

The decorated planter not only highlights the club’s dedication to community involvement but also showcases their talent and creativity. As the days grow shorter and Halloween inches closer, the Town Hall planter stands as a beacon of festivity and celebration, all thanks to the dedicated women of the Womans Club.

The Women’s Club plans to organize more events and initiatives in the coming months, further fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Their efforts continue to be a shining example of how small acts of kindness can have a significant impact.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a dynamic group of women of all ages and walks of life committed to volunteerism and service to our community.

PARSIPPANY  — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, October 3, 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