Students at Eastlake School enjoys “Family Fun Day”

PARSIPPANY — Eastlake Elementary School hosted their annual “Family Fun Day” on Saturday, March 24 to raise money for the fifth grade class.

Children of all ages enjoyed fun and games and good food. There was candy, face painting, cotton candy and the Kona Ice, games, popcorn, sand art and prizes!

Parents had fun with the “Family Shopping” during the fun fair.

Parsippany PBA holds Beefsteak Fundraiser

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany PBA 131 held their annual Beefsteak Dinner on Friday, April 6. The event was held at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.

Food was provided by Giresi’s Catering. Entertainment was provided by Mike Lawlor Band. There were tons of door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Paul Miller Porsche, Codio Cigars, Parsippany ShopRite, Joe Canal’s Discount Liquors and Angry Erik Brewing donated a large number of the prizes for the event.

Pizza boxes and coffee sleeves for Donate Life Month

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany was abuzz last week as members of the NJ Sharing Network and Morris County Organ Transplant Group prepped specialized pizza boxes and coffee sleeves for Donate Life Month this April.

The new initiative for NJ Sharing Network, #SaveNJlives, lists the number of waitlisted patients by community.  Several area pizzerias and coffee shops are participating in this program to spread awareness about organ donation.

Mancino’s Pizza

Members of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills stopped by to make a financial donation to the NJ Sharing Network Foundation go continue their life saving message.

Morris County Pizzerias and Coffee Shops Participating in SaveNJLives:

-Anthony’s Pizzeria in Rockaway
-Bagel City Grille in Morris Plains
– Pasquales in Boonton
-Top of the Park in Boonton
– Bensi in Denville
– Annabella’s Pizza in Parsippany
– Annabella’s II in Morris Plains
– PowderMart in Morris
– Swiss Chalet in Morristown
– The Daily Joe in Boonton
– Avellino’s Pizza & Grille in East Hanover
– Guiletta & Romeo Pizzeria in East Hanover
– Sunset Luncheonette in Denville
– The Pasta Shop in Denville
– Casa D Pizza in Denville
– Jimmy Tomato’s in Denville
– Beignets in Denville
– Dante’s of Denville in Denville
– Denville Bagels in Denville
– Denville Mart/BP in Denville
– Natures EnerQi in Denville
– The 53 Grill in Denville
– Denville Pizzeria in Denville
– Il Torrente in Denville
– Mancino’s in Denville

Annual Garage Sale Fundraiser

PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) Annual Garage Sale Fundraiser is Saturday, May 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Powder Mill Estates – Route 10 West at 21 Southwood Drive. This multi-member sale is expected to include Lenox and other collectibles, Hess trains, household goods, toys, kids’ items, books and other treasures. Something for everyone!  The money raised will go towards the club’s many activities. Support the Woman’s Club by helping us help others.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.   The April General Meeting is on Monday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m., at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Building, 100 Centerton Dr. Parsippany. All area women are welcome.  For more information call Cathy at (973)984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, click here for website, or follow us on our FaceBook page.

 

Parsippany is going green this April in support of National Donate Life Month

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany is going green this April in support of National Donate Life Month to bring awareness to organ and tissue donation.  One organ donor can save eight lives and one tissue donor can restore health to over 75 people.  Thirteen people in Parsippany are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants.

Nick Corrente, Desai Rushi, Jerry Corrente, Mayor Michael Soriano, Jessica Iannetta, John Iannetta and Matt Sonzogni. Front Row Connie Keller, Bob Keller and Beth Shaw.

Members of the Morris County Multi-Organ Transplant Group teamed up with Venture Crew 890, Boy Scout Troop 72 and NJ Sharing Network to tie green ribbons around town.  They started off at the main Branch of the Parsippany Public Library on Friday, April 6 along with Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano.

The transplant group would like to thank all the participants, including the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, Key Clubs, Builders Clubs and K-Kids, for their support in promoting organ donation in Parsippany this month.

New Jersey Sharing Network is the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organ and tissue for those in need of a life-saving transplant.

Members of the Morris County group have had kidney, heart, liver, lung, pancreas and tissue/bone transplants, are on the wait list, have donated and family.

The group regularly meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the Community Room in the Parsippany Police Station Complex.  New members are always welcome. Please call ahead in case of schedule changes.

The next meeting is Wednesday, May 2 and the program for the evening is a Roundtable Discussion on Heart Transplantation.  

For more information on the Morris County group contact Nick at (973) 984-6966 or e-mail the group at mcorgantransplantgroup@gmail.com

For more information on the NJ Sharing Network by clicking here or call (908) 516-5400.

Utility 5 is now in service

PARSIPPANY — The Officers and Members of Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer District 5 Fire Department announced that Utility 5 has officially been placed into service. Utility 5 is a 2018 Ford F-350 Diesel with an 8′ bed and 35 gallon diesel fuel cell.

Utility 5 will serve as an integral support response vehicle for large incidents, including Hazmat, Foam, and other emergencies where additional manpower or equipment may be needed.

According to reports the new Utility 5 cost $44,294.00.

 

Vehicle Rolled Over on Old Bloomfield Avenue Under Route 80

PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department responded to Old Bloomfield Avenue, under the Route 80 overpass on a report of a vehicle rolled over, with the drive trapped inside the vehicle.

Members of Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 5 were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, Engine 51 confirmed a single car motor vehicle accident with one vehicle on its side on a hill with one individual trapped in the vehicle.
Stabilization of the vehicle began in conjunction with assessment of the party trapped in the vehicle. Crews from Engine 51, Squad 5, and Ladder 5 conducted stabilization, victim assessment and stabilization, precautionary line placement, and victim removal.

Once removed, the driver of the vehicle was turned over to the Parsippany’s Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid Squad, who transported the victim to St. Clare’s Hospital.

Also on scene were Montville Township Police Department and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit.

Everybody talks, but Rotary Walks!

MORRIS COUNTY — Come and join Rotary District 7470 for their 2018 “Rotary Walks” fundraiser.

Join the Rotary Club as they walk and raise pledges for St. Hubert’s Animal Rescue, Barnyard Sanctuary and Raptors Trust.  50% of all pledges will go one of these charities of your choice, while the other 50% can go to your own non-profit or local Rotary Club.

Make a pledge or join us for “Rotary Walks,” a 5K morning stroll through the beautiful Loantaka Brook Reservation (Kitchell Road entrance) on Sunday,May 6 at 9:00 a.m.

For more information, or to make a tax-deductible donation, click here.

Remember, “Everybody Talks, But Rotary Walks”, to make our world a better place, one step at a time!

Sponsored by  – Live the Lake, Hanover Marriott, Hanover Manor, Provident Bank, Shoprite-Glass Gardens

A Special 83rd March Birthday Celebration

PARSIPPANY — It’s a known fact that the Irish know how to party. On a bright, sunny afternoon in March, the McGinley family hosted a party for over 150 close friends and family. The McGinley’s host this party every year!

Farmingdale Drive was closed to the public and the party extended from the front yard of the McGinley’s onto Farmingdale Drive.

The party started with an inflatable outside bar, completely stocked. Then the Morris County Police Pipes and Drums performed walking up Farmingdale Drive, and ended with a special 83rd birthday song for Ella Hayles better known as “Mema.”

After the Pipes and Drums then Mike Miscel’s One Man Party Band entertained as well as a local artist, Caricatures by Steve Nyman and then some great magic for all by Silly Willy.

The food was plentiful, all Irish treats. The favorite was Irish cabbage lasagna amongst Shepherd’s pie, Irish Bacon & Cabbage, Beef & Guinness Stew, Watercress Soup with Whiskey Cream and Baked Codfish with Irish Cheese Crust.

Only the Irish closed the street, invite over 150 friends that came and enjoyed the music, food and entertainment.

Health Fair Held by Parsippany Teachers

PARSIPPANY — Free blood pressure checks, advice on prevention and preparedness, low cost on-site eye exams, free chiropractic and fall risk screenings were just a few of the many offerings for Parsippany residents at the fourth annual community-wide health fair held at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road, on Saturday, March 24.

(C) 2018 Parsippany Focus
Five year old Zachary Hrobuchak shows office his fireman outfit

Participants were offered a wide variety of free services, ranging from cancer screenings to helpful tips on fire prevention, first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness, compliments of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association.

Participating exhibitors included:
Parsippany-Troy Hills Health Department: Literature and advice about EMS, pest control, general information, questions & answers.
-St. Clare’s Hospital:  Free blood pressure checks, fall risk screenings, ambulance with EMT personnel, general information, Q&A;
-Source of Health:  Free chiropractic consultation and spinal pre-screening;
-American Red Cross:  Information and advice about first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness;
-Garden State Chiropractic Society: Information and advice of chiropractic care. Free spinal screening.
-Parsippany Fire Prevention:  Information, safety tips, literature;
-American Cancer Society:  Information about cancer screenings;
-Community Blood Services:  Full blood drive, blood pressure check, blood type ID.
-Optical Academy:  Discounted eye exams and eyewear

(C) 2018 Parsippany Focus
Five year old Mallory Hrobuchak shows off her new Firemans Hat

Modera Parsippany: Luxury apartment complex is now open

PARSIPPANY — Modera Parsippany has started leasing units in its “exquisite new residential development,”  and tenants started moving in on April 1. Modera is located at 1715 Route 46, directly behind Houlihan’s Restaurant.

The complex has 212 units consisting of spacious studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartment homes, averaging 920 square feet all equipped with Energy Star® stainless GE® appliances, kitchens outfitted with quartz countertops and elegant islands and walk-in showers.

Studio apartments start at $1,775 (click here to see floor plan), one bedroom $2,175 and two bedroom $2,535. A 1,250 square foot unit, two bedroom, two bath is listed at $3,525,  complete with a loft and a terrace (click here to see floor plan).

The northern part of the building facing Route 80. Photo taken December 2016
The front entrance
Bedroom from a two bedroom unit

Modera Parsippany has a parking deck, car care station, package concierge, dry cleaning drop-off, and dog wash.

membership-class fitness facility with on-demand classes
membership-class fitness facility with on-demand classes

Some of the amenities include state-of-the-art, two-story, membership-class fitness facility with on-demand classes; clubroom and lounge area with pool table, bar and seating; saltwater swimming pool and sun deck; cozy courtyard with fire pit and BBQ grills; business center with conference rooms and telework venues; garage parking deck; storage units; bike storage and coffee bar.

Lobby

The floor plans, depending on unit, have wood-look plank flooring; patios, balconies, and Juliette balconies; Keyless entry system; some have Dens, lofts, tiled soaking tubs, High-end cabinetry, classic sliding barn doors, movable kitchen islands, floor to ceiling windows and walk-in closets.

Lobby
Model apartment, showing Kitchen

Leasing office hours are Monday and Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Thursday and Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 Noon to  5:00 p.m.

For additional information, call (877) 664-1525 or visit their website by clicking here.

Steve Shaw announces candidacy for Morris County Freeholder

MORRIS COUNTY — Longtime public servant Stephen H. Shaw announces his candidacy for the Morris County Freeholder Board.  “I am excited to have the opportunity to serve the people of Morris County in this most critically important role.”

“I am also humbled by the outpouring of support by the community for my candidacy. I am running for a seat on the board with the objective of serving to preserve and enhance the quality of life we enjoy in Morris County.”

“I have been a dedicated community servant, elected official, and small businessman, and look forward to bringing a common sense, experienced voice of reason to the Board.  I ask for your vote and support.”

A fiscal conservative, Shaw has demonstrated a lifetime of public service.  He served as Mayor of Mountain Lakes for three years and as a councilman for twelve years. He also was a member of the Mountain Lakes Planning Board for seven years, and was named “Mountain Lakes Police Citizen of the Year”.

Shaw was Vice Chair of the Morris County Open Space Committee and a member of the New Jersey Regional Intergovernmental Transportation Study Commission.  Shaw has served as President of the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) and President of the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey. Shaw is currently Chairman of the Mountain Lakes Republican County Committee.  In addition, he served several terms as the Senior Warden for the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Mountain Lakes as well as other civic and community leadership positions.

A fifty-one year resident of Morris County, Shaw has lived in six communities – Parsippany-Troy Hills, Montville, Boonton Township, Denville, Rockaway Township and Mountain Lakes.  Shaw owns and operates Shaw Built Homes, a forty-five year old family owned business. His extensive background in land use and planning, economic development, infrastructure consulting and repair in addition to his extensive federal, state and municipal relationships, are skills he feels will help to lead the county as it grapples with the new challenges it faces with the changing economic and community landscape.

Shaw is a graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology; Newark College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, and in 2006 was named their “Outstanding Alumnus”.  In addition, he is a licensed NJ Real Estate Agent, a licensed private pilot, is married and has two adult children.

 

Parsippany Police to hold First Junior Police Academy

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department will be holding its first Junior Police Academy between July 30 and August 3.

The Academy will be held at the Parsippany Police Athletic League Building on Baldwin Road. Each day will start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.

Applicants must be Parsippany residents in the seventh or eighth grade for the 2018-2019 school year.

Application packets will be available at your School Resource Officers Office beginning Monday, April 9.

Applicants will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Deadline for returning the completed packet will be April 26 at 4:00 p.m.

Class size will be limited to 40 recruits.

Any questions regarding the Academy may be directed to: Lt. Keith Lefferts at (973) 263-7086.

Freeholder John Cesaro Seeks 3rd Term to the Morris County Freeholder Board

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident and Morris County Freeholder, John Cesaro, is seeking his third term on the Morris County Freeholder Board.  “I am looking forward to serving another three years as a freeholder and committed to working hard to keep Morris County one of the best places to live, work and raise a family” states Cesaro.

John Cesaro has been a resident of Parsippany for 26 years and is married with two sons.  Cesaro served for 6½ years on the Parsippany Township Council until he was elected to the Morris County Freeholder Board in 2012.  While on the Township Council, Cesaro was a proponent of traffic issues and keeping a close eye on expenses.

It is those same issues that have remained important to Cesaro as a member of the Freeholder Board.  During his tenure on the Freeholder Board, Cesaro is serving as the Liaison to Public Works.  “The municipalities in our County have been very clear about many of their needs.  One in particular, is their roads.  As a result, the County has embarked upon a road paving policy which seeks to pave 25-30 miles of roadway per year.  In 2017, the County paved approximately 27.4 miles of County roads and we look forward to continuing our efforts” Cesaro stated.

Focusing on the taxpayer wallets, Cesaro is proud of his record of providing the County taxpayers with the sound fiscal management they deserve.  “I am proud of my record of providing the taxpayers with a budget containing 0 increases for 3 years.  When I felt strongly about a budget increase, I did not vote for it” stated Cesaro.  Cesaro also touts the accolades that the financial institutions give the County with reference to our conservative financial management.  “I am proud that year after year we continue to maintain our AAA bond rating.  Further, these same agencies continue to praise Morris County as having a ‘history of conservative budgeting and balanced financial operations’ which, in the end, benefits our County residents” states Cesaro.

As the primary campaign season comes to life, Cesaro hopes to count on the support of his hometown neighbors and friends as well as the voters throughout Morris County.  “For years, I have gone to thousands of doors throughout Parsippany and our County.  In doing so, I learned about the many concerns raised by our residents.  I have been able to relay these concerns to our administration and have always sought to get the best possible results.  I hope that the primary voters, as well as the general election voters, will bless me with another term on the Freeholder Board” stated Cesaro.

Cesaro is married to Melissa and they have two sons.  He is a private attorney and a parishioner and lector at St. Christopher’s Church.  Prior to being elected to the Morris County Freeholder Board, Cesaro was a Councilman in Parsippany from January 2006 through June 2012.

Webber Advocates Making Health Care More Affordable

PARSIPPANY — Assemblyman Jay Webber laid into the Democrat-led Assembly Appropriations Committee for approving legislation today that would penalize taxpayers hundreds of dollars for not having health insurance.

Assemblyman Jay Webber

“It’s just wrong for government to force people to buy something they choose not to buy,” said Webber (R-Morris). “We should look for ways to make health insurance affordable, but there are better alternatives to government threats and penalties. We can lower the costs by introducing more competition, less regulation and more choices for consumers.”

The bill (A3380) requires every taxpayer in the state to purchase health insurance or pay a tax to the state. About 189,000 New Jersey residents paid $93.3 million in penalties in 2015 under the recently repealed federal mandate, according to IRS data collected by liberal think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective. Over 90 percent of those residents earned under $75,000, and 78 percent earned under $50,000.

“We shouldn’t be penalizing people for not purchasing insurance when they can’t afford it,” continued Webber, who is the Republican appropriations officer. “We should be doing everything we can to lower the cost of insurance, because when it’s affordable it’s accessible.”

The new state penalty would cost as much as a bronze-level health insurance plan, which costs $522 annually – a 9 percent increase over last year.

Blue and Sandy are looking for a loving home

PARSIPPANY — Sandy is an 11-year old female poodle bonded with her best friend Blue, a 6-year old female Yorkie. They are very sweet dogs and love to be in people’s company. These two could spend all day being pet and cuddling! They are shy at first, but quickly warm up to you. Once they make themselves comfortable, they never leave your side! Blue and Sandy make very loyal companions and great company. They do well with other dogs and cats. Blue and Sandy would do best in a quiet environment with kids above the age of 16. They are looking for a home where they can spend their days receiving unconditional love!

If you are interested in adopting this dynamic duo, please fill out an application by clicking hereBlue and Sandy may only be adopted together

Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.

W.A.R.’s goal is to find the perfect family dynamic and place our dogs in a loving, safe and permanent home. All of our dogs available for adoption are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots and microchipped.

Our adoption process starts with filling an application, home visit, meet and greet and then finalizing with an adoption contract and fee.

Adoption fees range from about $300.00 to$600.00. These fees help defray costs of veterinary and foster care and are tax deductible.

SBA Women’s Business Centers Help Launch Women-Owned Small Businesses

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today the addition of nine new Women’s Business Centers with a mission of helping women entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses. The opening of these new centers will provide assistance and resources to entrepreneurs in new and expanded markets around the nation.

“The funding of these new Women’s Business Centers expands women’s access to resources to help their businesses succeed,” SBA Administrator Linda McMahon said. “This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Women’s Business Center program and I am proud to be a part of the expansion of resources and services to women entrepreneurs across America. The work these centers provide is one of the most valuable forms of assistance to help women entrepreneurs, who are an engine for economic growth.”

The SBA Women’s Business Centers are a national network of more than 100 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to women entrepreneurs on numerous business development topics, including business startup, financial management, marketing and procurement.

“It’s a great time to be a woman entrepreneur. I’m really excited that the SBA, through our new Women’s Business Centers, will be able to expand the locations in which entrepreneurial development services are provided,” Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership Kathy McShane said. “We know that when women get help in the early stages of their company, they will be more successful. We are encouraging more women to come forward and utilize the services offered by the centers.”

In fiscal year 2017, the Women’s Business Center program counseled and trained nearly 150,000 entrepreneurs nationwide. According to the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, there are 9.9 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. They employ more than eight million workers, provide more than $264 billion in wages and salaries to employees, and contribute $1.4 trillion in sales to the national economy.

To learn more about SBA’s programs and services for women entrepreneurs, click here.

To find your local Women’s Business Center and other SBA resources, click here.

The local office is at Women’s Business Center, 311 Main Street, 2nd Floor Peapack-Gladstone Bank, ChathamNJ 07928, Phone: (973) 507-9700.

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

PARSIPPANY — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is proud to support Prevent Child Abuse NJ in their Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign.

This month the Kiwanis Club kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month setting up pinwheel gardens and displays, with the first one set up at the Parsippany Town Hall and followed by a second display set up at the Parsippany IHOP on Route 46.

Once again, IHOP has agreed to collect donations throughout the month of April for Child Abuse Prevention Month.  In addition, many pinwheel gardens will be set up  to turn your attention to the importance of ensuring great childhoods for all children because our children are our future. Gourmet Cafe purchased all of the pinwheels which will be used in the pinwheel gardens and displays.

All throughout April you will see pinwheels on display around the Parsippany and Lake Hiawatha areas as the symbol of this very thought…that all children deserve a great childhood because they are our future.

And while the pinwheel can do many things — bring smiles, lift spirits, call for healthy starts for all children — the one thing it cannot do is move on its own.  Be the force that makes it move, bringing about real change for children in the United States.  Protecting our children is everyone’s job…it’s your turn to make a difference!

Since 1983, April has been a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse.  As we look upon the faces of the many children in our communities and think about all of the children around the world that suffer at the hands of others, let’s remember that April may be Child Abuse Prevention Month, but unfortunately abuse happens every day.  That is why every year, during the month of April, communities across the country come together to focus on this startling issue and on the need for widespread prevention and public awareness campaigns to reduce the number of children who, sadly, are victims of abuse.  Close to 700,000 children were victims of child abuse; and almost 1,700 children died as a result of abuse or neglect.

During a recent Kiwanis meeting, Karen DeChristopher, President-Elect and Co-Director of the Kiwanis “Young Children Priority One” program who has lead this campaign for the past four years explained, “As an organization that focuses on children, there is one goal that we are looking to achieve…to raise awareness of the many ways people can get involved in the fight against child abuse:  First, we can get educated, so you can learn to recognize the signs of child abuse, so you can be that one person with courage to step up for these children and report abuse when you suspect it.  Secondly, you can volunteer or support your child advocacy centers (Prevent Child Abuse-NJ ) by calling to determine how you can support them, because every children’s advocacy center can benefit from your support for their programs and services they provide to child victims of abuse and neglect.  And lastly, but most importantly we must help break the silence surrounding child abuse by raising awareness and spreading the word.  These children deserve a voice, because this problem has been overlooked for far too long and you can open the doors on this crime of secrecy, because we can all make a difference for these children.”

To learn more about what you can do to help prevent child abuse, contact Pamela Stalcup, Director of Development & Communications for Prevent Child Abuse-NJ at (732) 246-8060 or click here.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  It is not religious based or partisan in any way. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46.  We are 63 members strong and growing.  New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany).

Council passes resolution to support Murphy’s order to expand distribution points for medical marijuana

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted at the Tuesday, April 3 meeting to support Governor Murphy’s executive order No. 6, which expands distribution points for medical marijuana.  The Resolution (No. 2018:073) passed 3-2 with Carifi, McCarthy and Peterson voting in favor and dePierro and Gragnani voting against. To read a copy of Resolution 2018:073, click here.

Councilwoman Emily Peterson

Councilwoman Emily Peterson stated “With this vote, Council President Carifi, Vice President McCarthy and I showed in deed our support of the many residents and neighbors who shared their very personal experiences with pain and access. They asked for compassion and our commitment to the idea that we can treat medical cannabis separately from decriminalization. The three “yes” votes did just that and I am honored to share Governor Murphy’s compassionate approach with the residents of Parsippany who need it most of all.”

More than 25 people came out to speak up on the issue, many in favor of Parsippany being a potential location for a medical marijuana dispensary, which Murphy’s order would allow. Most of the speakers were not Parsippany residents.

Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.,

“I voted in support of the medical marijuana resolution because it has been medically documented that it assists in pain relief for people suffering from a number of things including cancer and other serious ailments. I am totally against recreational use of  marijuana. When it comes to it being used for medical reasons and it’s going to provide relief to people that are seriously ill and suffering and it is administered properly,  I don’t know why anyone would not support that,” said Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.

Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani asked to table the motion calling for a vote, to allow more time for consideration, but her request to table was denied 3-2. (Gragnani and dePierro voted to table the resolution).

In Governor Murphy’s Executive order it states “the need for medical marijuana in New Jersey currently far exceeds the supply that the existing licensed Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) in operation are able to provide … one study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center found that the annual number of deaths from prescription drug overdose is 25 percent lower in states where medical marijuana is legal than in states where it is illegal.”

For a complete copy of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order, click here.

The resolution states “The Township Council further supports the location of ATCs in appropriate locations to serve the residents of Parsippany-Troy Hills and the surrounding area and to allow qualifying patients greater access to medical marijuana; and The Township Council will review its zoning ordinances to consider appropriate locations for ATCs within the Township that will not conflict with certain protected uses including but not limited to schools, churches, parks, etc. as well as any other applicable ordinances in order to regulate ATCs in a manner that will promote and protect the public health safety and welfare.”

Currently there are no locations zoned for Alternate Treatment Centers in Parsippany.

A request was sent to Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani and Councilman Michael dePierro for comment, but when the story was published they didn’t respond.

Video credit: My Minute Minute, For additional information click here.

Brooke Steele inducted into CCU chapter of Phi Eta Sigma

PARSIPPANY — Brooke Steele, a sociology major from Lake Hiawatha, was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society for freshmen, on Tuesday, April 3, in the Johnson Auditorium at Coastal Carolina University. She is a 2017 graduate of Parsippany High School.

Phi Eta Sigma is a presigious national honor society that inducts first-year students after they have completed one full semester of college with outstanding academic performance. To be eligible, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA.

The society is chartered on 378 different college campuses across the nation, and was founded in 1923. This year’s ceremony inducted 135 new members.

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Coastal Carolina University offers baccalaureate degrees in 74 major fields of study. Among CCU’s 21 graduate-level programs are 18 master’s degrees, two educational specialist degrees, and the Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science. The most popular undergraduate majors are marine science, management, exercise and sport science, communication and psychology. CCU boasts a growing array of internship, research and international opportunities for students, as well as numerous online programs through Coastal Online.

More than 10,600 students from across the country and around the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 160 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

For more information click here.