Mt. Tabor Holds Annual Children’s Day Celebration

Frank L. Cahill
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Mt. Tabor Holds Annual Children’s Day Celebration

PARSIPPANY— Vincent Xavier Bozza was named King and Rhaya Hope Lau was named Queen during Mt. Tabor’s Children’s Day Celebration held August 6 through August 8. Also, Braylon Moore was named the First Attendant.

The origin of Children’s Day in Mount Tabor grew out of the Sunday School activities. An early program promotes the Sunday School Anniversary held Saturday evening, August 1, 1885, with the instruction that cottages are to be illuminated as the procession of Sunday School students and a band pass through the principal streets of Mount Tabor halting at the new Tabernacle for a program of songs and recitations followed by ice cream and good cheer. A Sermon to Young People followed on Sunday.

The special festivities soon came to include athletic games, singing, decorations, and a concert, along with religious instruction and the parade. By 1887, the Tabor Record notes that Children’s Day was a three-day event. A program from 1893 describes the day’s activities starting with a tennis tourney on Saturday morning, an afternoon parade accompanied by Voss’ Military Band to the Young People’s Park for music, children’s carousel, and balloon ascensions. A full schedule of field games, refreshments, prizes, and music was followed by an evening parade with illuminations and decorations and a Promenade Concert featuring Voss’ Band.

The children growing up in Mount Tabor gain a healthy appreciation for service at a young age since every year they witness their parents, siblings, and neighbors come together to make this special event happen. They know that one day they will be the volunteers needed to make Children’s Day work, and therein lies the magic. One generation after another, caring enough to make sure Children’s Day happens. That the lanterns are displayed, the show goes on, the maypoles are ready and the ice cream is cold.

Vincent Xavier Bozza

Vincent Xavier Bozza is the fourth son of Dan and Alicia Bozza, a lifelong resident of Mount Tabor. Vincent is an upcoming Junior at Parsippany Hills High School who loves to sing, play video games and swim with his friends.

Vincent enjoys being part of the Baseball Team at Parsippany Hills and has been a part of the performing on the stage for many years at All Saints Academy (Edna in Hairspray, Peter Pan, & Annie) and with Mt. Tabor ARTs Collaborative, (Simba in Lion King, Jr & supporting roles in Seussical Jr and Once on This Island, Jr.)

Vincent is looking to help others in the Automotive Industry as a mechanic. He is proud to be the 152nd King of Mount Tabor. It holds a special place in his heart and is proud to be a part of the neighborhood here in Tabor.

Rhaya Hope Lau

Rhaya Hope Lau is the daughter of Jim and Dawn Lau. She is currently a junior at Parsippany Hills High School. She loves singing, performing, and babysitting.

Rhaya has performed with Mt Tabor ARTs Collaborative as well as Parsippany Hills Players. She was recently Ado Annie in Par Hills “Oklahoma” and the Acrobat in MTAC’s recent production of “Matilda Jr.” Rhaya loves video editing and hopes to make that a career someday. She is honored to be the 152nd Queen of Mt Tabor. When asked what her favorite thing about living on “the hill” is, she said the community and our activities for the community.

Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine, September 2021.

Rainbow Lakes Fire Department Annual Plant Sale

Frank L. Cahill
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Rainbow Lakes Fire Department Annual Plant Sale

PARSIPPANY — The Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company will be holding their 2nd annual fall plant sale fundraiser on Saturday, September 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Thanks to our community’s unwavering support, last year’s fundraiser was a huge success. They look forward to bringing back a wide variety of seasonal plants including mums, asters, peppers, cabbage, pumpkins, flowers, and more. 

To honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Tunnel to Towers helps ease the financial burden for families of fallen firefighters and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty. 

The Rainbow Lakes Fire House is located at 1 Rainbow Trail.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Donates Prevent Child Abuse-NJ

Frank L. Cahill
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Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Donates Prevent Child Abuse-NJ

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

During April, 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.

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 who has lead this campaign for many 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 the 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 the 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.”

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany recently made a donation to Prevent Child Abuse-NJ.

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

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.

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

Joyce Gong graduates from Bates College

Frank L. Cahill
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Joyce Gong graduates from Bates College

PARSIPPANY — Joyce Gong graduated after majoring in chemistry at Bates College. Gong, the daughter of Baoqing Gong and Lin Zhang, is a 2017 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School.

Bates College graduated 469 students from 38 states and 43 countries on May 27, 2021.

The 2021 commencement was a doubleheader, with students split by where they fell in the alphabet between morning (A-K) and afternoon (L-Z) ceremonies in order to allow for social distancing among the graduates and their guests. It featured introductory remarks by President Clayton Spencer, who lauded the students for their response to the pandemic and its restrictions. “Your perseverance allowed us to keep the college operating safely, and your lives moving forward, in the face of some pretty high hurdles,” Spencer said.

There were four recipients of honorary degrees: Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, who was born in Lewiston; Pittsburgh-based artist Vanessa German; Americana musician and ethnomusicologist Rhiannon Giddens; and ACLU lawyer and trans-rights activist Chase Strangio. Each delivered remarks via recorded videos.

In keeping with the doubleheader aspect of this unusual commencement, two seniors were selected by their peers to give speeches, Nicole Kumbula ’21 of Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe in the morning, and Munashe Machoko ’21 of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe in the afternoon. In her speech, Kumbula invoked the Bates custom of holding the door for a fellow Bates person, a gesture both practical and symbolic, of “someone willing to wait a bit, just to make sure the door is open wide enough so that I can enter into the space with them – or at times even before they do.”

Located in Lewiston, Maine, Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college, attracting 2,000 students from across the U.S. and around the world. Since 1855, Bates has been dedicated to educating the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. Committed to opportunity and excellence, Bates has always admitted students without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin. Cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action, Bates prepares leaders sustained by a love of learning and zeal for responsible stewardship of the wider world.

Council Votes to Introduce Budget

Frank L. Cahill
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Council Votes to Introduce Budget

PARSIPPANY — After two letters from the Department of Community Affairs, one threatening a personal fine of $25.00 per day to each Township Council member (click here to read story), and the second ordering each Council member to appear at a hearing in front of the  Local Finance Board (click here to read story), Council President Michael dePierro scheduled a special meeting for Monday, August 9 to introduce the 2021 Township Budget.

Mayor Soriano submitted a balanced budget that was pre-approved by the State to the Township Council at the Tuesday, July 20 meeting. His proposed budget would have raised taxes by just 2.15%.  The budget proposed by Soriano addressed the budget shortfalls of 2020 without putting any burden on taxpayers.  Local businesses and hotels were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in decreased tax revenues. The State approved Soriano’s proposal to reallocate unused funds from 2020 to cover the $1.1 million gap in order to help our town recover from the unprecedented economic challenges of COVID-19. Mayor Soriano’s proposal would have allowed Parsippany to move forward without asking the town’s residents to make up the difference. The Town Council’s rejection of Mayor Soriano’s proposal is irresponsible and fails to acknowledge the hardship being faced by so many Parsippany residents as a result of the pandemic. Council President Michael dePierro, Councilwoman Peterson, and Councilwoman McCarthy voted to reject the proposal thus increasing the taxes of the introduced budget to 4.28%.

Council President Michael dePierro stated “The Mayor initially introduced his budget in April that was not statutorily correct, including a $5 million loan (plus interest) that must be paid off within five years; a Fund Balance that may not be used; overestimating revenue and underestimating expenses. The Township Auditors had identified a number of serious errors in the budget and could not certify it. By the end of July, the Administration finally submitted a budget that could be certified.”

Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.

“I voted to keep the $1.1 million in the budget so that the tax increase for our residents would remain at 2.15%. By removing that money from the budget raises the taxes to approximately 4.5% which I do not want to do. We already had to increase the sewer and water rates by 39% this past year because our surplus no longer exists. That increase still keeps us in the middle of the county as far as water and sewer rates and those rates have not been raised in 12 years but still counting that and the effects of the COVID pandemic and many residents losing their jobs I just feel increasing taxes above and beyond what was proposed at this time is not fair to our residents.  I did my due diligence as I always do and spoke to many residents in the town and every single person that I spoke to said to me please do not raise my taxes any more than what is being proposed and it is for these reasons I voted not to raise taxes more than what was being proposed,” stated Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.

“The Mayor’s budget, submitted to the Council at its meeting on July 20, 2021, included a resolution to “Authorize Cancellation of Current Fund Appropriation Reserves”. This resolution would allow the Administration to “borrow” $1.1 million from the 2022 budget to balance the 2021 budget. The budget still significantly Overestimated Revenue and Underestimated Expenses,” continued dePierro.

“These “Mayoral Gimmicks”, borrowing from the 2022 budget, overestimating revenue, and underestimating expenses, may get the Mayor through the 2021 budget, but he has pushed most of the Township’s deficit into 2022. He has “Kicked the Can down the road” so he can get reelected.  He blamed the previous administration for not leaving him enough surplus,” continued dePierro.

Councilwoman Emily Peterson said that we must stop robbing Peter to pay Paul.  She felt that the borrowing of reserves earmarked for 2022 was not a solution in formulating a 2021 budget that should be accepted.

Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani missed the last meeting due to being stuck out of the country with a family member’s COVID diagnosis. She commended the Council for its courageousness in not accepting the $1.1 million dollars in borrowed funds for this year’s budget.

Councilwoman McCarthy stated that the $9 million dollar deficit needs to be addressed and that the Administration was not transparent in working with the Council on creating this budget. She feels it puts the Township in a difficult position with reserves.

“I am glad that the budget has finally been introduced. I am disappointed that it was introduced by the council with a 4.28% tax increase, nearly double the tax increase I had proposed,” said Mayor Michael Soriano, “Parsippany and its residents are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is callous and out of touch to think that this will not hurt our residents.”

There will be a special meeting on Monday, August 16, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. The agenda to the extent known includes a budget meeting. Formal action may or may not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken.

All five Council members voted ‘Yes’ to introduce the budget. If the budget is approved without the $1.1 million dollar reserve money, Parsippany taxpayers can expect a 4.28% tax increase.

Edward Hansberry Celebrates 57th Anniversary in United States

Frank L. Cahill
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Edward Hansberry Celebrates 57th Anniversary in United States

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Deli and Emerald Gifts owner Edward Hasberry celebrated his 57th Anniversary of coming to the United States from Ireland, on Thursday, August 13.

Edward Hansberry is the owner of the Parsippany Deli and Emerald Gifts for over 52 years. Ed is loved by many in the community of Parsippany.

Justin Musella was spotted at Parsippany Deli and Emerald Gifts congratulating Ed while ordering a delicious corned beef sandwich for lunch.

Parsippany Deli and Emerald Gifts is located at 137 Parsippany Road.

Board of Adjustment Meeting to Discuss Dwellings behind St. Christopher’s Church

Frank L. Cahill
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Board of Adjustment Meeting to Discuss Dwellings behind St. Christopher’s Church

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct a special Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting is a continuation from June 23, 2021.

GTP Acquisitions, LLC, has applied to the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills for a “Senior Living Facility” on a parcel to be subdivided from the property currently occupied by St. Christopher’s Church.

The property known is as 1050 Littleton Road, Block 166, Lot 96. The application is comprised of 156 dwelling units with a mix of assisted/memory care and independent living units. Amenities include a central social court, fitness center, café, open workspace, outdoor recreation areas, hardscape, and softscape landscaping, and a promenade walking area.

This special meeting will be held via a web conferencing program named WebEx. This program will allow the public to listen in to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only. This program uses a “raise hand” button in the software to address those who wish to speak during the public portion.

Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to speak during the public portion, they will need to provide their first name, last name, email address, address and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.

Click here to download the agenda.
Click here here to access the meeting.

According to corporate documents filed with the State of New Jersey, the registered agent of GTP Acquisitions, LLC, is David J. Weiner, 171 Fifth Avenue, Paterson. Pike Construction Company is also located at the same address. David Weiner is a managing member and principal of Pike Construction Co., LLC and has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the general contracting and real estate development business. Upon graduating from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Economics, David began his career at Pike in the field as an assistant superintendent, then project superintendent.

For more information, please call (973) 263-4286 or email njolie@parsippany.net.

Elected Officials and Climate Justice Advocates Say It’s Time for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation

Frank L. Cahill
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Elected Officials and Climate Justice Advocates Say It’s Time for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation

MORRIS COUNTY — Top New Jersey elected officials and climate justice advocates urged the state’s elected leaders in Washington to support strong federal investments in clean transportation infrastructure.

The press conference was hosted by the Parsippany Green Team as part of a $10 million grassroots campaign during the August 2021 congressional recess in 12 states to demand ambitious investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and climate solutions organized by the Climate Action Campaign. Speakers urged Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) to continue supporting clean energy growth and expansion of the market for clean school and transit buses in order to improve public health and create economic opportunity for all New Jerseyans.

“Parsippany has been a trailblazer for green initiatives. Parsippany Green Team’s implementations in New Jersey have been made successful through our collaborations with local residents and government. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has been a long-time supporter of these efforts. We encourage her to continue to champion climate action at the federal level and support significant investment in EVs as part of this summer’s budget process,” said Judy Hernandez, Founder of Parsippany Green Team.

Transportation accounts for the largest source of climate-harming carbon pollution in the US. Modernizing our transportation sector and investing in clean school and transit buses are critical to combating climate change, which makes extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires more frequent and intense.

“The Borough of Madison has our own borough-owned electric utility. Our investments in EV infrastructure locally are a good first step; however, like the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we need to go further and we need big, bold investments by the federal government today to do that. We thank Rep. Sherrill for her work on behalf of the Madison community and look forward to her leadership on this urgent issue,” said Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley.

Investments in clean transportation and electric vehicles are essential to meeting our nation’s climate goals, reducing air pollution, improving public health, achieving environmental justice, and spurring the economy. Meaningful federal investments can spur the advancement of local programs that lead to cleaner air, reduced fuel costs, and more family-sustaining jobs.

“Thousands of vehicles cut right through Boonton on I-287 every day. Tailpipe pollution leads to increased respiratory illness such as asthma and bronchitis and impacts all of us, directly and indirectly. Boonton feels this impact. We look forward to working with Rep. Sherrill to pass bold investments in electric vehicles, which will reduce tailpipe pollution and protect our health and that of generations to come,” said Boonton Mayor Richard Corcoran.

These are popular investments. Recent polling found that 82 percent of voters in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District support investments to rebuild roads and bridges and modernize public transportation to ensure it is cleaner and able to serve more people. 64 percent of voters in the 11th Congressional District also support investments in electric vehicles and charging stations to reduce pollution and help more Americans buy clean cars.

“The NJ Sustainable Business Council and its member companies have led successful sustainability initiatives that have also had positive economic impacts. Since clean energy is a critical component in the transition to a more sustainable and equitable transportation system, federal investment is essential to scale up programs, which is why it is so crucial for Congress to include bold climate action in the budget process this summer,” said Richard Lawton, Executive Director, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council.

Budget Hearing Scheduled

Frank L. Cahill
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Budget Hearing Scheduled

PARSIPPANY — The Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is scheduling a Special Meeting to be held on Monday, August 16, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.

The agenda to the extent known includes a budget meeting. Formal action may or may not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken.

Madison Resident Accused of Uploading, Distributing Child Porn On Cell Phone

Frank L. Cahill
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Madison Resident Accused of Uploading, Distributing Child Porn On Cell Phone

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, and Acting Chief John Miscia of Madison Borough Police Department, announce the arrest of Nicholas Spagnoletti, 52, of Madison.

Spagnoletti has been charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of Children for the Distribution of Child Pornography, a crime of the Second Degree; and one count Endangering the Welfare of Children for the Possession of Child Pornography, a crime of the Third Degree.

It is alleged that between April 15, 2021 and August 12, 2021, the defendant utilized his personal cell-phone to upload, possess and distribute images of child pornography. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was first alerted to the upload by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

After the defendant’s arrest, he was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance scheduled for August 13, 2021.

Anyone with information relating to this case or any related incident is asked to call Detective Thomas Laird of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6245.
Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Madison Borough Police Department whose efforts contributed to the investigation of the matter.

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.

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