MORRIS COUNTY — Republican CD-11 Congressional Candidate Paul DeGroot has announced he is moving past the disjointed Morris County GOP convention and pointing his campaign toward the June Primary Election.
“Because of the confusing nature of the MCRC convention, I don’t think there is much anyone can take from the results of the event,” said DeGroot.
“I’m moving on to the Primary, which will give me three months to address thousands of Republican voters in Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties,” added DeGroot, who has been awarded the Republican Party line in Passaic County.
A former county prosecutor and the father of two small children, DeGroot says he has the skills and perspective to appeal to Republican voters who want to win back the CD-11 seat that was lost in 2018.
“I battled crime and criminals for 25 years and worked with government officials on the local, county, state, and federal levels. No one else in the GOP field has that kind of experience,” said DeGroot. “I oppose the revolving door justice that local and national Democrats have saddled us with that is emboldening criminals to prey on law-abiding, middle-class people.”
DeGroot and his wife Sharon have two young children and he says that gives him a perspective other candidates do not have.
“Like many parents in the district, we are deeply concerned about what our children are learning in school. I support the parents’ right to have a significant say in what is being taught in the classroom and I will carry that message to Washington,” added DeGroot.
Finally said DeGroot; “I actually live in the district that I am running in. I think that matters. We have candidates that don’t live in the district or know its intricacies and needs. That puts them in the same ballpark as Rep Mikie Sherrill, who never made the commitment to move to the district.”
The New CD-11 Includes the following Municipalities from Morris, Essex, and Passaic Counties: Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, and West Caldwell in Essex County; Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township and Victory Gardens in Morris County; Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part) and Woodland Park in Passaic County.
MORRIS COUNTY — International a cappella phenomenon Straight No Chaser returns to the MPAC stage as part of 2022 Back in the High Life Tour, Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.00 to $79.00.
If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses… think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. They have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fan base and a long list of accomplishments including 2 RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over one billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide.
Straight No Chaser is the real deal, the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense… and with a sense of humor. They immediately bring audiences to their feet with nothing more than microphones in hand, grins ear-to-ear, witty banter on point, and an uncanny ability to belt out R&B, smooth jams, and stadium anthems carried by style, swagger, and spirit.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners today celebrated Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by honoring the Girl Scouts of the USA and presenting awards to two Morris County women for making a significant difference in the community.
“Tonight, we celebrate International Women’s Day as well as recognize Women’s History Month, which this board will do officially through a special resolution,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen. “However, we also will pay tribute to the Girl Scouts of America turning 110 years old, and salute one of the founding members of our Morris County Advisory Committee on Women — and honor a Morris County woman whose inspiration to other women in our community has earned her the 2022 Seed of Change Award.”
Carole Harper of Morris Plains, one of the original members of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women, thanked Morris County for the Resolution of Honor presented by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners
Carole Harper of Morris Plains, one of the original members of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women, was honored for her nearly two decades of service on the committee with a special Resolution of Honor issued by the board. Harper previously serviced on the County College of Morris Board of Trustees, where she helped to establish a scholarship fund that has provided financial aid to women seeking to expand their education for over 20 years.
“Thank you so very much for this recognition. The focus of my professional life and community service has been as an advocate for women and their families. I am especially proud to have been part of the establishment of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women. Since 2003 the Committee has sought to identify the needs and concerns of the women of Morris County. As our county grows so do the challenges faced by our families, foremost our women,” Harper said.
Thanking the people she worked with over the past 20 years, Harper also commended the Commissioners for providing the services to address problems such as homelessness, abuse, child care, and employment for women and for supporting not-for-profit agencies seeking to provide solutions to those problems.
Click here to view the Resolution of Honor Issued to Carole Harper
Mary Ledyard of Rockaway Borough was presented with the Morris County “2022 Seeds of Change Award,” an honor that highlights and celebrates Morris County women whose work on the grassroots level has motivated other women to become active in their communities. The award was presented to the honoree by Karen O’Keeffe, chair of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women.
“There was one thing that happened to me when I was younger, when someone said, ‘You only volunteer because it makes you feel good.’ And I was offended at first … and finally, I realized that there’s nothing wrong with feeling good about helping people. It kind of became my thing. The purpose of life is not just to be happy all the time. It’s to make a difference and to help those around you,” said Ledyard in accepting the award.
Inspired by the example of the late state Sen. Leanna Brown, a groundbreaking leader in Morris County, the “Seeds of Change Award” had been issued only twice – in 2018 and 2019 –before the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily interrupted the Advisory Committee activities.
Mary Ledyard of Rockaway Borough, who was presented with the Morris County “2022 Seeds of Change Award,” was congratulated by Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen
Click here to learn more about “Seeds of Change” Honoree Mary Ledyard
Ms. Ledyard was noted for her many years of volunteerism, from groups assisting children with developmental disabilities and restoring trout habitat, to aiding veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, raising funds for St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover, and aiding victims of war and disaster through Project Kind. She also has worked with Family Promise, homeless shelters, food pantries, and helped children and families in need.
The third honor of the event was presented to Girls Scouts of the USA in recognition of the organization’s 110th Anniversary and National Girl Scout Week, which runs from March 6 through March 12, 2022. Accepting a Resolution of Honor on behalf of the organization was Jeannine Perry of the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey and some North Jersey Girl Scouts: Jillian Hamway, Alexa Hamway, and Corra Perry.
Click here to view the Resolution of Honor Presented to the Girl Scouts
Girls Scouts is the largest and most impactful leadership program for girls around the world. The organization was founded on March 12, 1922, by Juliette Gordon Low of Savanna, Georgia after she met the founder of Scouting, British Officer Robert Baden-Powell.
“Our girls and volunteers affect positive change in our community and the world through small acts of kindness and through big ideas that make a lasting impact. Through the Girl Scout leadership experience, we build girls of courage, confidence, and character who do make the world a better place; and the Girls Scouts and volunteers of Morris County thank you for your honor and proclamation,” Gordon Low said as she accepted the Morris County resolution of honor.
The resolution noted Girls Scouts has emphasized public service and civic engagement and fostered a sense of community in girls. The organization also has worked to champion their ambitions, cultivate their talents and develop their skills to confidently pursue their passions and make the world a better place.
“Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the Board of County Commissioners, Morris County, New Jersey, that the week of March 6 to March 12, 2022, be proclaimed Girl Scout Week in Morris County, and that the Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey be wished continued success as they embark on another century of nurturing and shaping the leadership abilities of girls everywhere,” the resolution concludes.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners unanimously introduced the county government’s 2022 Budget last night with no increase in the tax rate for a third consecutive year, while boosting funds for public safety and health, infrastructure projects, human services, education, and economic development.
“We are pleased for the third year in a row to deliver a budget with no increase in the county property tax rate while delivering excellent services to our residents,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen.
The proposed $331.1 million spending plan ensures the continuation of Morris County’s top AAA Bond rating – maintained for 46 years – with an anticipated $57.9 million fund balance representing a $1.7 million increase over last year. The 2022 Budget additionally prioritizes investments in education and cultural programs, including the $25 million creation of the Morris County Vocational School District’s new Career Training Center at the County College of Morris in Randolph.
Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus
“This budget is financially sound and should continue our AAA rating standing, with a strong investment in capital projects including $25 million for the 500 student expansion of the Morris Vocational School District providing skills training that will provide the skilled workers our country needs and bright futures for our residents,” from Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus, Chair of the Board of Commissioners’ Budget Committee.
The budget dedicates $68.3 million to public safety, with another $36.6 million earmarked for health and human services programs, with a focus on community-based human service initiatives, including Hope Hub, Hope One, Navigating Hope, veterans programs, employment training, and senior nutrition programs.
Morris County Commissioner Kathy DeFillippo
“We have a mission-driven allocation of financial investments towards combatting substance use disorders and overcoming mental health challenges, working with valued nonprofits to address human service needs. A broad range of county government is involved, including human services, the Sheriff’s Office’s Hope One and Navigating Hope programs, and initiatives by the Prosecutor’s Office,” Commissioner Kathryn DeFillippo, a member of the budget committee.
Critical Community Investments The 2022 Budget contains approximately $34.3 million in educational, cultural, and economic development incentives that service all 39 municipalities in Morris County.
Included are:
$18.9 million to support the County College of Morris, Morris County Vocational School District, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and the Morris County Superintendent of Schools Office
$8.9 million to support the 20,394-acre Morris County Park System
$5.7 million for the Morris County Library and Morris County Heritage Commission
$816,000 for Economic Development and Tourism
“Economic Development and Tourism spending is increased over 2021 as we promote Morris County as the best place to live, work and play, and now work from home, as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Commissioner Deborah Smith, a member of the budget committee.
Critical Infrastructure Investments
The 2022 Budget includes a $62.5 million Capital Spending Plan for the calendar year, offset by $30.4 million in grants. It prioritizes $14 million for road resurfacing of 25.6 miles in 15 towns, puts $6.83 million toward bridge and culvert projects, and dedicates $2.8 million for intersection improvements.
Road Resurfacing Projects Include:
2.2 miles of Fairmount Road in Washington Township
2.2 miles of Green Pond Road in Rockaway and Jefferson townships
2.5 miles of Park Avenue from Columbia Turnpike to Route 124 in Madison, Florham Park, and Morris Township
2.5 miles of Village Road in Harding Township
Intersection Improvements Include:
Flanders Netcong Road and Main Street Intersection with Route 206, Mount Olive
Boonton Avenue at Taylortown Road, Montville Township
Guide Rail Upgrades and Installations throughout the County
Bridge & Culvert Projects Include:
Dickson’s Mill Road Bridge in Harding Township
Pleasant Hill Road Bridge in Mount Olive
Hurd Street Bridge in Mine Hill Township
The Morris County Commissioners will consider the adoption of their operating budget at the Wednesday, April 13, 2022 meeting.
Click here to download a PowerPoint of the proposed 2022 operating and capital budget.
PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement regarding the President’s decision to ban U.S. imports of Russian oil as gas prices continue to rise:
“I remain unwavering in my support of Ukraine and its people in their fight for freedom, the preservation of their democracy, and their ability to remain a sovereign nation free from coercion by Putin’s Russia. A few weeks ago, I visited Ukraine, spoke with President Zelensky, and have since been in close contact with the large Ukrainian American community in my district. They are united in their calls for the United States and the international community to continue to put pressure on Russia to end their unprovoked invasion, remove their troops from Ukraine’s borders, and end the humanitarian crisis.
“And while we must do everything we can to stand up to Putin as Russia continues to wage a premeditated, unprovoked war on a fragile democracy, I am also fighting hard to address affordability here at home. That’s why as we end all importation of Russian oil, I am calling for a gas tax holiday to ease prices at the pump.
“While stepping up our sanctions on Russia is necessary to preserve freedom and democracy abroad, I deeply understand Americans’ real and legitimate concerns about the potential effect this could have on gas prices. I will continue to push for additional steps our country can take to further bring down gas prices. We can do so by releasing more of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is stored for exactly this sort of crisis and will also lead to a prompt decrease in fuel prices, examine ways to increase production in the short term, and take aggressive steps to secure our energy independence by accelerating our transition to clean energy, so that we are never again dependent on hostile foreign powers for our fuel. Energy independence is a matter of national security and I will continue my efforts to make sure we can rely on energy that is produced in America, often with technology that is developed and manufactured in North Jersey.”
Rep. Sherrill is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy for almost 10 years as a helicopter pilot and Russian policy officer. As a Russian policy officer, she worked on the implementation of our nuclear treaty obligations and oversaw the relationship between the US Navy and Russian Federation Navy. She now serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she serves as the Vice-Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee.
Rep. Sherrill traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine in January to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other top Ukrainian officials. She is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and hosted former Randolph mayor and leader in the NJ-11 Ukrainian American community Roman Hirniak to be her virtual State of the Union guest. The Congresswoman is an original co-sponsor of the Ban Russian Energy Imports Act, which codifies the ban on Russian exports, as well as the Gas Prices Relief Act to put into place a gas tax holiday.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Republican Commissioner Doug Cabana, who received the most votes on Friday night of any candidate at the Morris County Republican convention (390), endorsed Tayfun Selen in the 11th Congressional District. It is the highest-profile endorsement of either remaining candidate following the first-ballot results from Friday night. Selen received the most votes of any candidate for District 11 on the first ballot. Cabana is a long-time resident of Boonton Township.
“I’ve seen up close on the County Board of Commissioners that Tayfun Selen is a hard-working public servant who cares deeply about delivering good government that protects taxpayers,” said Commissioner Cabana. “Coupled with his local government experience as Councilman and Mayor, his impressive background in business, and his one-of-a-kind life story – I believe he’s the best candidate Republicans can put forward to win this seat and get America back on track.”
“Doug Cabana is a trusted and respected voice in Morris County, and his impressive showing at the convention demonstrated that. I’m so proud to have earned his endorsement today,” said Tayfun Selen. “This endorsement adds to the momentum we are building to unify our Party and stop the Pelosi-Sherrill policies that have set us back to Jimmy Carter-like inflation, runaway gas prices, open borders, and policies that are breaking the bank around kitchen tables in New Jersey.”
Selen was the top-vote getter on the first ballot at the convention with 169 votes, followed by Larry Casha (118), Toby Anderson (113), and Paul DeGroot (65). A candidate needs 50% on the first ballot to win the endorsement of the County Republican Party. The second ballot voting will begin Thursday, March 10 via an online vote, and in-person on Friday, March 11 at MCRC headquarters. Only those who cast a ballot on the first round are eligible to vote on the second ballot.
About Morris County Republican Tayfun Selen 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 Lincoln Education Corp, which develops good-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 Commission in February 2020. He was selected by his peers in December 2021 to serve as Director of the Morris County Board of Commissioners. To learn more about Tayfun, click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Chamber of Commerce honored local community and business leaders Margaret Nordstrom and Jane Kurek at its 101st Annual Meeting Luncheon March held March 3 at the Parsippany Hilton.
Nordstrom was honored with the Alex DeCroce Public Leadership Award. She is the administrator of the Borough of Chester and immediate past executive director of the New Jersey Highlands Council. She also served as a Morris County commissioner from 1999 to 2012, including as Commission director from 2006-2008. Nordstrom has received numerous awards for her activities in environmental protection, citizenry, and government leadership and sits on a number of councils and commissions.
She noted she tried to retire was drawn back to work after a few months of not being busy enough for her liking.
“This is a lifetime achievement award but I’m still working,” she joked. “And I will continue working for as long as God allows it.”
Kurek was honored with the Saint Clare’s William P. Huber Award for Outstanding Community Leadership. She is the former executive director of The Provident Bank Foundation, where she was responsible for implementing the foundation’s vision and strategies. Throughout her career, Kurek focused on providing leadership to nonprofits to help them achieve their missions and continues her involvement in retirement. She is a trustee of CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, board treasurer of The Compassionate Friends Foundation, an advisory board member of First Night Morris County and serves on numerous other nonprofit councils and committees.
She looked back fondly on her time as executive director of The Provident Bank Foundation, with its mission of enhancing the quality of life in the communities The Provident Bank serves, including nonprofits, which she said hold a special place in her heart.
“Together we can truly make changes in the years ahead,” she said.
The meeting also featured keynote speaker Kevin Nepveux, vice president, launch excellence, at Pfizer, Inc., who discussed the unprecedented effort of the pharmaceutical industry to jointly work to find a vaccine for COVID-19, accomplishing what usually takes five to 10 years in just over 12 months.
He said the company achieved this by:
Taking steps in parallel instead of sequentially.
Selecting a formula quickly.
Streamlining the government review process.
Accelerating the manufacturing process, including expanding from three sites to 20.
Innovating, such as building an electric substation for power, making their own dry ice, and attaching GPS devises to every shipping package.
“We took a normal business paradigm and smashed it,” Nepveux said. “We bet everything on this. We believed we had the vaccine.”
Chamber President and CEO Meghan Hunscher shared highlights from the organization’s centennial year, 2021, and discussed the chamber’s vision for the future.
“The pandemic brought us closer together in many ways and the lessons we have learned will endure as we continue to fulfill our mission to connect, convene, facilitate, inform, collaborate and advocate for our members,” she said. “At the chamber, we are committed to providing the opportunities for members to raise their visibility.”
In addition, Tayfun Selen, director of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, spoke of the county’s Small Business Grant Program, which is providing $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to county small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic.
“It is all of our responsibility to spread the word about this grant program,” he said.
Selen encouraged small businesses in need of COVID-relief funds to click here.
The Morris County Chamber of Commerce has more than 750 member organizations that range from entrepreneurs and small businesses to large corporations and Fortune 500 companies. The chamber’s mission is to collaboratively advance the interests of its members to champion a thriving business and community environment. The chamber’s many events, meetings, and seminars provide a platform for its members to connect, collaborate, learn and succeed. The chamber is dedicated to the advancement of Morris County’s businesses and community by providing services, information, and advocacy to support the success of its member organizations. They are headquartered in Florham Park.
PARSIPPANY — Saint Ann’s Annual Fish and Chips Dinner will be held at the Parish Center, 781 Smith Road, Parsippany, on Friday, March 25. Take-out dinners will be available from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sit-down dinners will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Advance sale tickets will cost $18.00 (Children $10.00). Tickets are available after Mass on March 12, 13, 19, and 20 and at the Church Office. Only limited tickets will be available on the day of the event, so please purchase tickets early.
Proceeds from the dinner will be used to aid the people in Ukraine.
