Parsippany Republicans Endorse Morris County Commission Selen for Re-Election

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Republicans Endorse Morris County Commission Selen for Re-Election
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen continued to build many endorsements from across the County with the endorsement announcement of the entire Parsippany Council and the Republican Party Municipal Chair. Parsippany is the largest municipality in Morris County.
Among the endorsements include the following:
  • Parsippany Council President Michael dePierro
  • Parsippany Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
  • Parsippany Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani
  • Parsippany Councilman Frank Neglia
  • Parsippany Councilman Justin Musella
  • Parsippany Municipal Party Chair Dolores dePierro
“I’m so proud and honored to have the support of my Republican colleagues in Parsippany, the largest municipality in the County,” said Selen, who became Director of the Board of Commissioners late last year. “As a Commissioner, I’ve worked hard to bring an outsider business approach to our Board, manage our budget without the need for higher taxes, and invest in shared priorities across the County, from higher education and roads to parks and public safety. Parsippany residents will continue to benefit from those efforts. I look forward to a continued partnership with Parsippany’s leaders as we keep our County an affordable and desirable place to work and raise a family.”
Selen has previously released a long list of Republican endorsements from across Morris County, including popular Sheriff Jim Gannon, all five Republican State Senators serving Morris County, 6 County Commissioners, and 21 Republican Mayors.
Since joining the Board in 2020, Tayfun Selen has delivered three straight budgets without property tax increases. Through those efforts, he’s also helped maintain the County’s long-held “AAA” Bond Rating as determined by independent financial evaluators, verifying the County’s successful commitment to protecting taxpayers with strong fiscal management.
Tayfun Selen is a proven fiscal conservative, experienced businessman, and American success story. Selen immigrated from Turkey with a degree in architecture in 1996, pumping gas and working entry-level jobs before earning an MBA and his CPA license. He earned his U.S. citizenship in 2008 and managed major corporate real estate operations with over 100 employees and several hundred million dollar budgets. Today, he is an executive with a major national vocational education group, which builds well-paying trade skills as an alternative to a liberal arts education. Selen previously served as Chatham Township Mayor, and later filled a vacancy on the Morris County Board of Commissioners in February 2020. His peers selected him in December 2021 to serve as Director of the Board.

Clarke Makes State Senate Run in the 25th District

Frank L. Cahill
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Clarke Makes State Senate Run in the 25th District

MORRIS COUNTY — Democrat Christine Clarke, a resident of Jefferson Township, has announced her candidacy for the New Jersey State Senate in District 25, which includes 19 towns in Morris and Passaic counties.

She is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Anthony Bucco. She ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 2021. The state senate seats are for two-year terms.

Towns included in the district are Boonton Township, Butler, Dover, Harding, Jefferson Township, Kinnelon, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Morristown, Morris Township, Mount Arlington, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens, West Milford and Wharton.

According to a press release issued by her campaign, Clarke is an environmental activist, grassroots organizer, and mother-of-four running to build the clean energy economy, improve healthcare, protect clean air and water, and lead with empathy and common-sense fiscal responsibility. As a working-class mom, her work has focused on making New Jersey safer and more equitable for working families.

“The times we live in call for servant leaders who put the district’s needs before personal ambition,” said Clarke. “We need people in Trenton who do the correct thing because it is correct and who will consistently stand up publicly and behind the scenes as necessary to get good work done. Leaders who are more committed to doing the work of the people than being photographed. Leaders whose positions don’t cause harm to their constituents.”

Clarke said she has been working with broad coalitions to fight climate impacts, defend women’s rights, and make politics more accessible for working families for years. She brought together Democrat and Republican leaders in her town to create an annual bipartisan Pride event. She is a Climate Reality Leader, a steering committee member of the Jersey Renews coalition, and a member of the NJ NAACP Environment and Climate Justice team via Morristown Local 2092. She was on the 2018 steering committees for the NJ March for Science and the NJ People’s Climate Movement. She is the former Environmental Director at Action Together New Jersey and was an early organizer with NJ 11th For Change.

She is serving a second term as the elected municipal chair of the Jefferson Township Democratic Committee. She has lived in Jefferson for 18 years with her husband and four children.

New Jersey State Democratic Chair Leroy Jones, Morris County Democratic Chair Amalia Duarte, and Passaic County Democratic Committee Chair John Currie have endorsed Clarke.

“Christine Clarke is a strong advocate and grassroots organizer who, if elected to the Senate, will put our working families front and center and work towards a brighter and better future for all of New Jersey. I’m proud to support her candidacy in LD25,” said LeRoy Jones, Chair of the New Jersey State Democratic Committee.

“Christine is running for State Senate because she is deeply committed to improving the lives of residents in LD25. She is a fighter and a hard worker who won’t just show up for photo ops but will also show up to serve constituents. LD25 deserves leadership with a vision for the future, and that’s what Christine brings to this campaign,” said Amalia Duarte, Chair of the Morris County Democratic Committee.

“Christine Clarke is a hard worker and will be a great public servant,” said John Currie, Chair of the Passaic County Democratic Committee. “I am proud to endorse her candidacy.”

“In my years in politics, I have never met someone who cares so deeply about improving the lives of all in our community,” said Benjamin Weisman, campaign manager. “She is a team player willing to work with anyone who brings smart ideas or solutions to the table. That’s the type of person we need in Trenton, and I hope you’ll join me on Team Christine.”

For more information, click here.

To be a candidate to run for the New Jersey State Senate, a candidate must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Be 30 years of age or older.
  • Reside in the state for a minimum of four years before the general election.
  • Reside in the legislative district for two years before the general election.

State legislative salaries in 2022 are $49,000 per year.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education Board Members Oath of Office

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education Board Members Oath of Office

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education Board Members Alison Cogan, Michelle Shappell, and Jack Raia received the Oath of Office on Thursday, January 5.

Tim Berrios was elected President, and Susy Golderer was elected Vice-President at the meeting. Click here to download the Board Notes for the Thursday, January 5 meeting.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Calabria Education Center, 292 Parsippany Road.

2022 Election Results:

Andy Choffo 5,340
Jack S. Raia 5,647
Yvonne Ferise 3,597
Alison C. Cogan 5,495
Kendra Von Achen 4,311
Michelle Shappell 6,248
Falgun Bakhtarwala 3,832
Write In 113

The Board of Education comprises nine registered voters of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township elect.  Members are elected to three-year terms. The Board President and Vice-President are elected by the majority vote of their fellow Board members.

Parsippany Heroes: Wayne Malec; Brooklawn Middle School

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Heroes: Wayne Malec; Brooklawn Middle School

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Heroes: Wayne Malec; Brooklawn Middle School.

Central Middle School 8th Grade Winter Band Concert

Frank L. Cahill
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Central Middle School 8th Grade Winter Band Concert

PARSIPPANY — Central Middle School 8th Grade Winter Band Concert.

Junior High Students Performed at Board of Education Meeting

Frank L. Cahill
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Junior High Students Performed at Board of Education Meeting

PARSIPPANY — The Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School orchestral students performed phenomenally at the Board of Education Reorganization meeting on Thursday,  January 5.

It was a wonderful collaboration between Ms. MacAdams and Mr. Austerlitz, who programmed beautiful musical selections to highlight the talents of their students.

Time to Renew Your Dog Licenses? Need a Rabies Vaccination?

Frank L. Cahill
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Time to Renew Your Dog Licenses? Need a Rabies Vaccination?

MORRIS COUNTY — It’s that time of year to renew your dog and cat licenses. Check your local town on the requirements for dog and cat licenses.

If your dog or cat needs an updated rabies vaccination, here is a list of available locations.

Morris County’s towns hold rabies clinics yearly to vaccinate dogs and cats.

Kinnelon 1/14/23 1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m DPW Garage
118 Kinnelon Road		 973-838-8959
Washington Township 1/14/23 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. DPW
54 Rock Road, Long Valley		 908-876-3650
Riverdale 3/4/23 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Dalton Drive 973-838-8959
Denville 4/1/23 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. DPW 973-631-5484
Jefferson Township 5/3/23 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 1033 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong 973-663-3241
Morristown 6/24/23 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 200 South Street, Morristown 973-292-6731
Denville 11/4/23 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. DPW 973-631-5484

Rabies vaccines are free and open to all New Jersey residents! There’s no paperwork to bring to rabies clinics – all you need to bring is your pet.

Alternatively, you can vaccinate your pet at a local pet store clinic or your veterinarian’s office for a fee.

Representative Sherrill Sworn-In to 118th Congress

Frank L. Cahill
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Representative Sherrill Sworn-In to 118th Congress

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) was officially sworn in as United States Representative for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District on Saturday, January 7.

“I am honored that the people of NJ-11 have entrusted me with the responsibility of representing them in Congress,” said Representative Sherrill. “The path to forming our Congress has been rocky, and many of the challenges we face were laid bare, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to working every day on behalf of my constituents and fighting for the priorities of New Jersey communities in Washington. I look forward to working together to make life more affordable, protect our rights, grow our innovation economy, make our communities safer, and bring more of your hard-earned tax dollars back to NJ-11. I am ready to work with Republicans and Democrats to deliver real results for New Jersey families. Let’s get to work!”

Parsippany Petition to Repeal PLA Reaches Over 1,000 Signatures

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Petition to Repeal PLA Reaches Over 1,000 Signatures

PARSIPPANY — A petition started by Councilman Justin Musella to repeal Parsippany’s Project Labor Agreement (PLAs) ordinance has reached over 1,000 signatures.  Musella presented the signatures to the Mayor and Council during the Agenda Meeting on Wednesday, January 4.

The petition calls for the repeal of a 2022 ordinance that requires PLAs for municipal construction projects budgeted for over $5 million.

Musella holds up a portion of the petitions to repeal the PLA

According to Musella, “With bipartisan support from residents all over town, it is clearly
more than ever that the ordinance should be repealed. Blanket PLA’s like the one introduced in October stifle competition for government construction contracts, increase costs to the taxpayer, and put small and minority-owned businesses at a competitive disadvantage.”

He continued, “Parsippany is already in the midst of an over-taxation crisis, combined with serious structural problems in our finances. I made an oath from day one to fight to keep Parsippany affordable and enable residents to stay here and not flee our town. It is
encouraging to see the groundswell of support for this effort, and I look forward to presenting these petition signatures to the Township Council.”

A dozen residents spoke at the meeting, asking the Mayor and Council to repeal the PLA.

The New Jersey Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors is a vocal opponent of the ordinance.  President Sam DeAlmeida said, “Project Labor Agreements eliminate the competitive bidding process for contractors that choose not to belong to a union, many of whom are members of our New Jersey Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. As the leading voice for these contractors, we are extremely opposed to the recently passed PLA ordinance in Parsippany-Troy Hills, as it disproportionately takes business opportunities away from qualified contractors. We thank Councilman Musella for advocating for these contractors and supporting his efforts to repeal the PLA.”

Township Clerk Khalid Madin receives the petitions from Councilman Justin Musella.

Township resident Debbie Nemorovich said, “I would first like to thank Councilman Musella for starting this petition, and as soon as I knew about it, I got all of my friends and family to sign in town. I believe PLAs are harmful to the town, and I truly believe that if you care about how your constituents feel, you will consider immediately repealing this.”

“Elections have consequences, and we elected you because we thought Republicans would make it more affordable to live in town. Everything I have read tells me that PLAs will jack up project costs, delay timelines, and discriminate against non-unionized firms. Everybody I went door to door encouraging to sign told me that they didn’t want to pay the higher taxes this would cause.”

“I want each Council person plus Mayor Barberio to state on the record tonight whether or not they will consider the repeal. If you don’t listen to us in our overwhelming calls to repeal, then we deserve to know why.”

Debbie Nemorovich continued, “I know many people who live here that are scared to speak out against the PLA due to the terrifying process it was passed under. I know people who were scared to speak out due to the show of force that I believe was intended to silence critics.”

Parsippany Hires Nine New Police Officers

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Hires Nine New Police Officers
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio administers the Oath of Office to the nine newly hired police officers.

PARSIPPANY — Mayor James Barberio conducted a swearing-in ceremony for nine newly hired Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers on Thursday, January 5, at Parsippany Municipal Building.

The hiring of nine new police officers was unanimously approved when the council passed a resolution Wednesday authorizing their hire during the agenda meeting.

Captain Brian Dowd and Mayor James Barberio stand proudly with the nine new police officers sworn in on January 5.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Detective Robert Lenahan, his son Robert, Jr., and his wife, Barbara. Ptl. Robert Lenahan Jr. recently graduated from the Essex County Police Academy.
Captain Brian Dowd hands newly hired Patrolman Christopher Yi his badge. Yi will begin their career as a recruit at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy next week.

Ptl. Steven Harvey is coming from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, Ptl. Paul Christal is coming from Morris Township Police Department, Ptl. Thomas Caccavale is coming from Franklin Township Police Department, Ptl. Evan Ruggiero is coming from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Ptl. Robert Lenahan Jr. recently graduated from the Essex County Police Academy. They begin their field training program next week.

Ptl. Robert Lenahan Jr. with Rockaway Borough Mayor Tom Mulligan

Ptl. Robert Seifert, Ptl. James Brennan, Ptl. Antonio Piccininni and Ptl. Christopher Yi will begin their career as a recruit at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy next week.

Newly sworn-in Ptl. Christopher Yi signed the oath of office.

Mayor James Barberio stated, “The Parsippany Police Department is one of the fundamental fabrics of our community. Hiring nine new Police Officers is essential to maintain public safety. I wish the Officers the best of luck throughout their careers in Parsippany. Thank you for dedicating your time and service to the greatest place to live.”

“Four we took from other towns, and five will be going to the academy,” said Barberio, a Republican who ousted Democratic Mayor Michael Soriano two years ago. “The four can start right away.”

“Parsippany Police are short-staffed due to a hiring freeze imposed during the previous administration that has the town down to 81 deployable officers compared to more than 100 five years ago,” Barberio said.

Mayor Barberio recently promoted Deputy Police Chief Richard Pantina to the top spot in the department. Pantina, with 36 years of experience, mostly in Parsippany, had served as acting chief since the June retirement of his predecessor, Police Chief Andrew Miller.

Pantina did not attend the swearing-in due to illness.

The council chambers were packed with family members, friends, and members of the Parsippany Police Department.
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