Dunn Slams Murphy for Stranding Children, Failing to Address School Bus Driver Shortage

Frank L. Cahill
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Dunn Slams Murphy for Stranding Children, Failing to Address School Bus Driver Shortage
MORRIS COUNTY — There have been statewide business shutdowns, statewide Covid mandates, but no statewide solution to the school bus driver shortage that is affecting children’s constitutional right to access education, says Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.
Reports show school districts have been largely left to figure out the problem on their own, with some altering routes and schedules to accommodate the shortage or even offering parents as much as $1,000 to drive their kids to school. Other students have had to rely on public transportation, Uber and Lyft, or endure hours-long delays on school buses that are running.
“It’s appalling that parents and individual school districts are being forced to cobble together fixes for the school bus shortage while the Murphy administration barely acknowledges that there is even an issue. Other states have governors who have stepped up and figured it out and our children deserve the same,” Dunn (R-Morris) said.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker activated the National Guard to drive school buses, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan are working on streamlining the process to secure a commercial driver’s license and schedule an appointment at the motor vehicle agency.
“There was plenty of time to plan for this, but we know from prior experience that the Motor Vehicle Commission doesn’t think ahead,” Dunn said.
Following the months-long government-mandated shutdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus, drivers were met with long lines and excessive wait times at reopened MVC agencies.
“This is a safety and accessibility issue that needs to be immediately addressed,” Dunn added. “Children in Paterson and Camden are being forced out of the classrooms and back into remote learning because they can’t get to school. It’s unacceptable. I am asking the governor, the Department of Education, and the MVC to put a plan into action to remedy the situation.”
Aside from saying “all options are on the table” at his weekly coronavirus briefing, Murphy has avoided stating specific measures to address the school bus driver shortage.

Kiwanis Donates to Children Fund

Frank L. Cahill
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Kiwanis Donates to Children Fund

PARSIPPANY — On behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, Lt. Governor Frank Cahill presented New Jersey District Kiwanis International Governor Joseph “Joey G” Giordano with a donation to New Jersey District Foundation Children’s Fund.

For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.

Parsippany Honors the Late William C. Taylor, Jr.

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Honors the Late William C. Taylor, Jr.

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano presented a proclamation to the family of the late William C. Taylor, Jr., on Tuesday, September 21 at a council meeting.

Taylor served as a councilman from 1981 to 1983. He was President and Liaison on the Township Planning Board; he was the President of the Par-Troy Little League West and took great pride in building all the baseball fields located there; he was a proud small business owner of the Texaco Station in Parsippany from 1975 to 1985, from which he donated the chain-link fence that surrounds Parsippany Hills High School.

William also served on the Republican Committee for his district for a number of years; he was the Director of Government Affairs at Trammell-Crow, where he designed the Mazdabrook Development on Smith Road; he also owned his own construction company from which he proudly built over 200 homes in Parsippany.

Patty Taylor with Mayor Michael Soriano
The Taylor Family

Talyor was a decorated Marksman/Sniper in the United States Marine Corps, where he also served as Military Police onboard the USS Springfield from 1962 to 1966; he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal.

 

BettyLou DeCroce Sworn In as President of Parsippany Rotary

Frank L. Cahill
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BettyLou DeCroce Sworn In as President of Parsippany Rotary

PARSIPPANY — BettyLou DeCroce was sworn in as President of Parsippany Rotary on Tuesday, September 21.

In addition, Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi was installed as Vice President.

Rotary District Officers installed all the new officers and presented a plaque to our outgoing president Venkat Bijala.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts live at both the local and international levels.

Parsippany Rotary Club meets the first and third Tuesday at 7:47 a.m., at Parsippany IHOP, 792 Route 46.

For more information on Parsippany Rotary Club, click here.

 

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Adds Two New Members

Frank L. Cahill
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Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Adds Two New Members

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany added two new members on Thursday, September 23 at its breakfast meeting held at First Watch.

Aisha Mahmood was sponsored by Justin Musella and Eddie Astone was sponsored by Karen DeChristopher.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Laura Wohland said “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome two new members to our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Aisha and Eddie to our club. We welcome Aisha and Eddie to our global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”

Eddie Astone and Karen DeChristopher
Aisha Mahmood and Justin Musella
Karen DeChristopher pins Eddie Astone

The New Jersey District of Kiwanis International currently has 79 active Kiwanis Clubs, with a total of 1463 members. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has a total of 79 active members as of Thursday, September 22.

During the pandemic, Kiwanis Operation Feeding Morris County has distributed over 200,000 pounds of food, to 5,255 families, over 8,000 children with a retail value of over $525,000.

“Kiwanis Operation Feeding Morris County” was started in December by Kiwanis Club of Greater Roxbury President Cain Pope and has spread to many Morris County Kiwanis Club and other clubs in New Jersey as far away as Asbury Park, South Orange, Maplewood, Clifton, and Bridgewater.

For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany click here.

Morris County National Coming Out Day to be Held

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County National Coming Out Day to be Held

MORRIS COUNTY — The public is invited to attend the first annual Morris County National Coming Out Day on Saturday, October 9, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments, food, and music.

The event is a collaboration with LGBTQ+ liaisons from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Morristown Police Department, and is intended to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community in providing a safe environment. Health and wellness resources will be provided for education and awareness.

Annually observed on October 11, National Coming Out Day is intended to support LGBTQ+ individuals and sometimes individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community to “come out.”

This event will be held at 10 Court Street (between Morris County Superior Court and Morris County Administration Building.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Regular Meeting – September 21, 2021

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Regular Meeting – September 21, 2021

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Regular Meeting – September 21, 2021.

Click here to view the agenda.

Recycling Center Will Remain Open on Weekends

Frank L. Cahill
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Recycling Center Will Remain Open on Weekends

PARSIPPANY — During Tuesday’s Township Council meeting, Mayor Michael Soriano announced that the Township Recycling Center will continue to operate on its normal schedule, which includes 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturdays.

The center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on weekdays.

The recycling center is located on Pump House Road, near the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service.

“There was concern that keeping the Recycling Center open on Saturdays could result in deeper financial consequences, based on early budget speculations,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “Finance has now assured us that this won’t be the case.”

Pennacchio Blasts Murphy’s Mask Mandate for 2-Year-Olds

Frank L. Cahill
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Pennacchio Blasts Murphy’s Mask Mandate for 2-Year-Olds

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy’s latest COVID directive requiring children two years and older to wear masks in childcare centers drew the ire of Senator Joe Pennacchio, who called the order “useless and unworkable.”

“Every parent who has ever tried to get a photo of their two-year-old in a Halloween mask knows this rule is futile,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “When you put any covering on a 2-year-olds’ face, they instinctively grab it and pull it off.

“The Governor knows this. He knows his mandate is impossible to accomplish and impossible to enforce.”

The mask requirement was included in an executive order signed by Murphy on Monday giving workers at daycare centers five weeks to be fully vaccinated for COVID or face weekly testing for the virus.

“This is the latest of a long list of edicts that haven’t made any sense,” Pennacchio said. “Masks were required for outdoor visitors to the beaches and state parks, and restaurants were forced to close at 10:00 p.m. as if the virus became more contagious later in the night. Prisons were opened up while orders sealed the virus among the elderly and frail in nursing homes with devastating effects. And now two-year-olds crawling around behind masks. None of this ever made any sense.

“Daycare workers are going to spend all day changing dirty diapers and masks and chasing after kids who lost their masks,” Pennacchio said.

The Senator again questioned where is the science and data to support this type of edict.

Initial COVID studies last year showed that COVID had a minimal effect on young children. A Yale University study of more than 57,000 childcare centers in the U.S. determined that keeping facilities open does not contribute to the transmission of COVID.

A research review of 11 studies measuring virus transmission in child care and preschool settings determined “evidence suggests that early learning programs are not associated with increased risk of contracting COVID-19 when health and safety precautions are in place.”

Pennacchio noted that more recent studies continue to indicate that “young children are at low risk for developing COVID-19 but also don’t play a significant role in the spread” of the virus.

“Trying to force a room full of two- and three-year-olds to keep their masks on for the duration of the workday is a foolish waste of time,” said Pennacchio. “It’s just more nonsense from the front office in Trenton.”

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21

Frank L. Cahill
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0
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21

PARSIPPANY —Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has a Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 21.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings.  All meetings will be held in the Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, Parsippany. 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 American 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 prior to the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.

 

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