Volunteers Needed For Blood Drives

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers.

The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background is necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service and be able to perform tasks as needed. Must have transportation. 

All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. 

For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, Manager, NJBS Volunteer Services at (732) 850-8906, Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tayfun Selen Announces Challenge to Rep. Mikie Sherrill

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen launched his campaign to win the 11th Congressional District Congressional seat currently held by Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

In conjunction with his announcement, Selen (Sah-LEN) also launched a video titled “My American Dream”, which tells his story as an immigrant from Turkey who came to this country to build a better life and is basing his campaign for Congress around ensuring that future Americans have the same opportunities he had.

“America is starved for leadership and for voices in Congress that can articulate a vision for keeping the American Dream alive for future generations,” said Selen, who in 2020 earned more votes for countywide office than any candidate in the history of Morris County. “America is at a crossroad, and I want to help ensure that we choose the right path forward — a path that rewards hard work, a path that respects the rule of law, a path that unites us as Americans as we celebrate our differences, a path of freedom and opportunity for all.”

Besides serving as a Morris County Commissioner since January of 2020, Tayfun Selen, 51, holds the position of Senior Vice President of Administration for a major vocational training school group. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt, LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, and a CPA.

Selen is a proven conservative. As Mayor of Chatham Township, he cut municipal property taxes, earned a rare AAA credit rating, and reduced local spending by $200,000. As Morris County Commissioner, he held the lines on taxes, while helping to lead the county’s robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that county tax dollars were focused on key priorities like public safety, infrastructure, education, and the environment.

Selen immigrated to the U.S. in 1996 from Istanbul, Turkey. His first job in New Jersey was working as a gas station attendant.

“At that time, I had more dreams in my head than money in my pockets, and this country has made all my dreams come true. Now I am running for Congress because I want to give back to my community by helping the people of New Jersey and my country who gave me so much along the way,” said Selen.

He earned his U.S. citizenship in 2008 and currently lives in Chatham Township with his wife and daughter. In 2019, Selen became the first Turkish-American Mayor elected to public office in the U.S. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Istanbul Technical University and an MBA from Montclair State University.

Walmart Makes It Easy to Stay Healthy with Convenient Flu Shots

MORRIS COUNTY — Walmart is helping New Jersey residents stay healthy this flu season by making it easier than ever to get low-cost vaccinations in all Walmart pharmacies through walk-up and community flu shot clinics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone older than six months receive a flu shot each year. Further, the CDC recommends a COVID-19 vaccination for everyone over 12, especially as cases are on the rise. Walmart pharmacies across the country offer both vaccines, and customers can receive low-cost flu and free COVID-19 vaccine at the same time if they choose.

“It’s important we don’t let our guard down with our health this fall. Between COVID-19 vaccines and the annual flu shot, we know people may be experiencing ‘vaccine fatigue,’ but these preventative measures have never been more vital to keeping our communities healthy,” Del Sloneker, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Health and Wellness said. “It’s on all of us to do our part and is just another way we’re making it simple to live better healthier lives.”

Walmart’s flu shots are administered by certified pharmacists and healthcare professionals who understand local health needs. In addition to walk-in availability, Walmart offers a variety of initiatives, making it easy to get vaccinated while following COVID-19 safety protocols. These events will make it quick and convenient for customers to get flu shots in stores in New Jersey.

Walmart is a center of well-being in the communities it serves and has everything busy families need to live better, healthier, lives this flu season. This includes a team of pharmacists who can answer any medication-related questions, COVID-19 tests, prescription, and over-the-counter medication, as well as a variety of immunizations, including COVID-19, flu, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), HPV, tetanus, whooping cough (TDAP) and more.

Stores also offer low-cost grocery items, ranging from immunity-boosting foods to soup and comfort foods. Walmart customers with a Walmart+ membership can also get free shipping on store purchases and reduced prices on select prescriptions. Finally, Walmart continues to offer everyday low prices on household essentials like cleaning supplies, tissues, thermometers and more, to help keep everyone safe and healthy.

To learn more about the flu shots and wellness resources available at your neighborhood Walmart click here.

Rep. Sherrill Tours GAF Offices: Highlights Raise The Roof Act

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) toured the facilities of one of Morris County’s largest employers, GAF, to highlight their ground-breaking work and discuss her recently introduced legislation, the Revamping Appropriate Incentives for Solar Energy for (RAISE) the Roof Act. By clarifying and expanding the solar investment tax credit (ITC) to include integrated solar roofs like the ones manufactured by GAF Energy, this legislation would maximize the positive climate and economic impacts of the next generation of solar energy technology.

Joining Rep. Sherrill on the tour of the facility and at the press conference afterward were: Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, GAF CEO Jim Schnepper, GAF Energy President Martin DeBono, and Morris County Chamber of Commerce President Meghan Hunscher.

“I was thrilled to be able to highlight the RAISE the Roof Act today, alongside the GAF and GAF Energy teams who are helping New Jersey remains a leader in the clean energy economy,” said Rep. Sherrill. “One of our biggest challenges in confronting the climate crisis is making clean energy technologies more accessible for families and businesses. This bill removes some of the financial barriers and modernizes the current tax credit law to keep up with the tech advancements we’ve seen in solar. With their cutting-edge research and development, GAF and GAF Energy have helped drive many of these advancements. They’re also a cornerstone business in our community, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner in the effort to confront the climate crisis and bolster our clean energy economy.”

“It was an honor to host Congresswoman Sherrill at our headquarters today to show her how our research and development are leading the industry forward in new and exciting ways,” said Jim Schnepper, CEO, GAF. “We are thinking beyond traditional manufacturing processes and roofing materials to develop new offerings including integrated solar, recycled asphalt shingles, and non-asphaltic materials, and we are excited to have a great champion like Rep. Sherrill who is committed to helping our industry bring that innovation forward to customers.”

“I’m incredibly proud to have joined Representative Sherrill today to discuss paths forward in American clean energy manufacturing and job creation,” said Martin DeBono, President of GAF Energy. “For too long rooftop solar policy has ignored the roof. Now, with the RAISE the Roof Act, Rep. Sherrill has introduced a bill that would remedy that problem. It’s the type of smart policy that will unleash innovation in the sector. Passing RAISE would support thousands of jobs here in New Jersey and across the country, help consumers, and propel us to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

<img class=”size-full wp-image-13290″ src=”https://morrisfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GAF-3.jpg” alt=”” width=”720″ height=”480″ /> Representative Mikie Sherrill yours GAF

“GAF is a staple corporation in Parsippany. It’s prided itself as North America’s largest roofing manufacturer for about 140 years,” said Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano. “It’s fitting that a company that’s already revolutionized the roofing industry — at a time when we really need more innovation — looks to provide affordable integrated rooftop solar options for large-scale commerce, small businesses, and households.”

“Thanks to Rep. Sherrill’s efforts and her outreach to the business community and constituents, the RAISE the Roof Act promises to continue the important work of government supporting positive climate and economic impacts,” said Meghan Hunscher, President and CEO of Morris County Chamber of Commerce. “Given the uncertainty around us, investing in renewable energy as a nation makes sense. And there is a business case for this. Now more than ever, our representatives and business community need to come together and be responsive to the needs of the greater community.”

As chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology’s Environment Subcommittee, Rep. Sherrill is a fierce advocate for the development of clean energy. Last month, she convened a roundtable with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and local environmental business leaders, including GAF CEO Jim Schnepper, to discuss the RAISE the Roof Act, the future of New Jersey’s clean energy economy, and the attending businesses’ contributions to this effort.

<img class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-13292″ src=”https://morrisfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Untitled-1.jpg” alt=”” width=”720″ height=”480″ />

Edwin A. Urbina, 27, in Custody in Connection with Murder of Three Year Old Child

EAST HANOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and East Hanover Chief of Police Christopher Cannizzo announce the apprehension of Edwin A. Urbina, 27, with a last known address of 14-02 Clyde Potts Drive, Morristown.

Edwin A. Urbina

Urbina was previously charged by complaint-warrant with first-degree Murder, second-degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, third-degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence in connection with this matter.

These charges arise in connection with the beating death of Urbina’s girlfriend’s three-year-old son. On August 13, shortly after 5:00 a.m., officers from the Morristown Police Department responded to the Morristown Medical Center on a report of a three-year-old male in cardiac arrest.

The subsequent investigation revealed that the child had sustained a number of physical injuries.

Crime scene at OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10, East Hanover

Following an autopsy, Morris County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Carlos Fonseca, M.D. determined the manner of death to be a homicide.

The subsequent investigation has revealed that the fatal beating of the child occurred at the OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10 West, East Hanover.

It is alleged that Urbina physically beat the three-year-old boy in the early morning hours of August 13, resulting in the boy’s death and that the victim’s mother, Krystal Straw, was not present during the assault, but arrived at the hotel shortly thereafter.

Crime scene at OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10, East Hanover

It is alleged that after her arrival, Straw transported Urbina to another location before bringing the victim to the Morristown Medical Center.

It is further alleged that Urbina instructed Straw to delete content from her cellular telephone and deny his involvement in the homicide when speaking to the police.

On August 17, Urbina was taken into custody without incident outside the Morris County Records and Administration Building in Morristown.

He will be lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a first appearance in court.

Crime scene at OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10, East Hanover

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

LA Fitness to Open in Hanover Township

HANOVER — LA Fitness will be opening soon in Hanover, in the former 24 Hour Fitness location. LA Fitness will occupy approximately 40,000 square feet.

LA Fitness will be joining Wegmans and Panera Bread at 24 Sylvan Way, in the Wegmans Shopping Plaza.

Gym Chain 24 Hour Fitness closed over 100 clubs nationwide, including Hanover Township, as it repositions itself amid coronavirus health and safety restrictions that have proven difficult for the fitness industry. The Hanover location closed on June 13, 2020.

LA Fitness continues to increase its presence by focusing on the one lifelong benefit valued by everyone: good health.

Founded in Southern California in 1984, LA Fitness continues to seek innovative ways to enhance the physical and emotional well-being of our increasingly diverse membership base. Today, our state-of-the-art clubs span the continent, and we’re still expanding. Our strong and successful growth stems from our commitment to understanding and meeting the distinct needs of each community we serve. With our wide range of amenities and a highly trained staff, we provide fun and effective workout options to family members of all ages and interests.

The Parsippany and Randolph locations changed their name to Esporta. Esporta is part of the LA Fitness umbrella.

LA Fitness will open in the Wegmans Shopping Center

Police Seeking Information in Connection with Murder of Three Year Old Child

EAST HANOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and East Hanover Chief of Police Christopher Cannizzo is seeking information regarding Edwin A. Urbina, date of birth October 14, 1993, with a last known address of 14-02 Clyde Potts Drive, Morristown.

Edwin A. Urbina

Urbina has been charged by complaint-warrant with first-degree Murder, second-degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, third-degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence in connection with this matter.

These charges arise in connection with the beating death of Urbina’s girlfriend’s three-year-old son.

On August 13, 2021, shortly after 5:00 a.m., officers from the Morristown Police Department responded to the Morristown Medical Center in Morristown on a report of a three-year-old male in cardiac arrest.

The subsequent investigation revealed that the child had sustained a number of physical injuries. Following an autopsy, Morris County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Carlos Fonseca, M.D. determined the manner of death to be a homicide.

Crime scene at OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10, East Hanover

The subsequent investigation has revealed that the fatal beating of the child occurred at the OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10 West in East Hanover.

It is alleged that Urbina physically beat the three-year-old boy in the early morning hours of August 13, 2021, resulting in the boy’s death and that the victim’s mother, Krystal Straw, was not present during the assault but arrived at the hotel shortly thereafter. It is alleged that after her arrival, Straw transported Urbina to another location before bringing the victim to the Morristown Medical Center. It is further alleged that Urbina instructed Straw to delete content from her cellular telephone and deny his involvement in the homicide when speaking to the police.

Crime scene at OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10, East Hanover

Urbina remains a fugitive at this time. He should not be approached and is considered dangerous. An image of Urbina is attached below.

Krystal Straw, date of birth May 20, 1993, has also been charged in connection with this matter. Specifically, she has been charged with second-degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, third-degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, third-degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence. She remains lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance currently scheduled for August 18, 2021.
Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in this investigation, including members of the East Hanover Police Department, the Morristown Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation is active and ongoing. No other information is being released at this time.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Edwin Urbina or any other information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200, the East Hanover Police Department at (973) 887-0432, or Morris County CrimeStoppers at (973) 267-2255. Persons reporting any information may remain anonymous. Information on how to leave an anonymous call or text message can be found at the CrimeStoppers Program website by clicking here.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

Kiwanis Club Cooks at Homeless Solutions

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany continues to prepare dinner at Homeless Solutions for the clients.

Kiwanis Club of New Jersey Division 11 Lt. Governor Frank Cahill and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany members Joseph Jannarone, Jr., and new member Robert Pactwa, volunteered on Saturday, July 24.

New member Robert Pactwa, long-time members Joseph Jannarone, Jr., and Frank Cahill holding the over 250 meatballs prepared for the dinner.

Following all COVID-19 protocols, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has been serving food at Homeless Solutions and providing food for residents affected by the pandemic.

With a generous donation from Chick-fil-A Morris Plains and food donated by Restaurant Depot, the group was able to shop at Costco to purchase the items needed to prepare the dinner.

The guests enjoyed homemade Baked Ziti, Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Fruit Salad, and dessert.

The Kiwanis Club has been providing meals to Homeless Solutions for the past 19 years and has served over 7,000 meals. Members volunteer their time to shop, cook, and serve dinner.

Homeless Solutions, “Providing a Hand Up, Not a HandOUT.” They offer shelter, services, and supportive housing to the homeless and working poor in Morris County.

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

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports ten K-Kids clubs, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School, Intervale School, Mt. Tabor Elementary School, Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School, and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany will be participating in a “FREE Food Distribution” on Saturday, August 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Parsippany High School, 309 Baldwin Road.  Interested parties please sign up by clicking here.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, contact President Laura Wohland, by emailing law4pres@gmail.com. Click here to view the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany website.

Fruit cup prepared by the members
Frank and Joe preparing the baked ziti

Letter to the Editor: Is Jamie a real Republican, or just a RINO?

Dear Editor:

We have an election coming up in November and there is just one question the people of Parsippany need to have answered – Is Jamie Barberio a real Republican or is he just a RINO (Republican In Name Only)?

The May 17-19 Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll found that 53% of Republicans believe Trump, their party’s nominee, is the “true president” now, compared to 3% of Democrats and 25% of all Americans.  During a longwinded speech in Arizona on Saturday, July 24, the twice impeached, one term former guy who never won the popular vote in two elections lashed out at the “RINOs” who he believes are “worse than Democrats.”  Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk said “If you were silent or complicit in what happened in the 2020 election, resign and go re-run as a Democrat. Get the heck out of the Republican Party.”  Does Jamie believe that Joe Biden is President or does Jamie support the former guy and that the election was stolen?  Is Jamie a real Republican, or just a RINO?

According to Miles Taylor — a Republican who served as chief of staff at the DHS until 2019 before leaving in disgust — should the GOP take over the House, current House minority leader Kevin McCarthy will likely be Donald Trump’s puppet if he is handed the gavel by his party.  “The number one national security threat I’ve ever seen in my life to this country’s democracy is the party that I’m in, the Republican Party,” Taylor warned. “If my party retakes the House of Representatives in the next cycle, it’s going to become a haunted house. And the ghoul and the specter haunting that house is going to be Donald Trump.”  Does Jamie support the former guy, is he going to go to Bedminster and swear fealty like real members of the GOP or is he a RINO?

“Those who served in the GOP have a greater burden to tell the truth about what their party has become,” Nicolle Wallace, who served as the White House Communications Director during the presidency of George W. Bush wrote “Those who know that the voter suppression laws masquerading as election integrity measures are solutions in search of problems have a duty to sound the alarm. The story of our times is understanding how one of the two major political parties became addicted to the same disinformation and anti-democratic practices it once rebuked in foreign countries and why its base has so eagerly embraced this disastrous pivot.”  I think we know Jamie supports disinformation based on his term in office and allowing political parasite Johnny I. to bleed the Town as the Township Attorney.  Is Jamie a real Republican, or just a RINO?

The Republican Party used to be pro-business, small government, and low taxes, now the Republican Party is pro-authoritarian, supports gerrymandering and voter suppression, and waging culture wars.  The Republican Party did not even have a party platform in 2020, no need since the only thing that mattered was subservience and loyalty to the former guy.  Where is Jamie on these issues?  Based on past performance in office we know he is pro-authoritarian, but does he support these other GOP issues or is he just a RINO?

Thomas Mann, a senior fellow at Washington’s Brookings Institution and a resident scholar at UC Berkeley, is widely regarded by members of both parties as a leading expert on Congress and democracy wrote of the GOP “It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition. When one party moves this far from the mainstream, it makes it nearly impossible for the political system to deal constructively with the country’s challenges.”  Is Jamie a real Republican, ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence, and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition, or just a RINO?

CBS News-YouGov polling was conducted in mid-May.  Two-thirds said it was “important” for Republicans to be “loyal to Donald Trump now.” The same share said they did not believe President Biden was the legitimate winner of the 2020 election. If you were consulting for the party, respondents were asked, would you focus on developing a message and “popular policies and ideas” to win over more voters? Or would you prioritize changes to the voting rules in states and districts?  A whopping 47 percent chose the latter option. In other words, nearly half of those who still identify as Republicans appear to have given up on a key premise of democracy: that you earn the right to govern by proposing ideas that appeal to a majority of the public. They’d prefer to short-circuit that process and, instead, make it harder for their opponents to vote.  Is Jamie a real Republican and makes it harder for his opponents to vote and have a say in government, or is he just a RINO?

Former Vice President Dick Cheney (R-WY) is “deeply troubled” by what he’s watching his Republican Party become, his daughter, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), revealed during a speech to the Aspen Institute.  When war criminal Dick Cheney is “deeply troubled” about the Republican Party you know it’s bad.  Dr. Frankenstein is “deeply troubled” by the monster he helped create.  Is Jamie a real Republican, or just a “deeply troubled” RINO?

Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in DOE v. Reed (No. 09-559) “Requiring people to stand up in public for their political acts fosters civic courage, without which democracy is doomed.”  The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the 1974 case of The New York Times v. Sullivan, the court wrote that the “debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials.”  This article falls under that rubric.  As a registered Unaffiliated voter “I’m just asking questions” like TV dinner heir Tucker McNear Swanson Carlson does every night.

Brian Tappen
Parsippany

 

The Job Market Needs You!

MORRIS COUNTY — Looking to get a better job, get better in the job you are in, or grow your skillset? The Center for Workforce Development (WFD) at County College of Morris (CCM) has released its new schedule of classes for the Fall Semester. WFD is accepting new students for its fall classes and also invites companies looking for a professional partner to develop their employees.

As labor demands continue to change and the demand for certification grows, WFD has continued its focus on industry-recognized credentials. Its programs include MS Office, QuickBooks, Project Management, Data Analytics and Visualization, Custom Business Training, English Language Learning, and more.

A leader in apprenticeship opportunities, WFD has expanded its offerings to include Pharmacy Technician and Certified Nurse Aid apprenticeships, adding to its extensive selection of Career Pathway Healthcare programs. The Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center at CCM also has Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships available this fall.

If you want to increase your potential for a successful career, join WFD at one of its Virtual Open Houses, taking place September 8, 9, and 10, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. WFD also will be hosting “Focus on the Workforce,” alive, on-campus event on Saturday, September 18, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the Davidson Conference Rooms in the Student Community Center. For more information and to register, click here.

The next hire can be you. The next job landed can be yours. Aspire to be a part of a thriving workforce. Start at CCM.