PARSIPPANY — Parsippany residents have gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 at a higher rate than much of New Jersey. But Mayor Michael Soriano made a plea to those undecided about or opposed to getting the shots: talk to your doctor.
Getting vaccinated isn’t an easy decision for anyone. But for anybody who hasn’t received the vaccination for COVID-19, please talk to your doctor.
As members of this community, we need to be informed with facts and data from medical professionals, and to listen to the same professionals we trust with our lives and the lives of our families.
MORRIS COUNTY — On Monday Governor Phil Murphy announced that we should expect to see children wearing masks at school in the fall. Assemblyman Brian Bergen called the announcement a “joke.”
In a session of the state Assembly on May 20, Bergen put Democrats on notice to start doing their jobs and stop acting as the governor’s “lapdog.”
“I think the governor is dreaming if he plans to have the unilateral authority to mask our children in schools this fall,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “If he does have that much authority, and our state Legislature is still sitting on their hands, I would be shocked. I mean, how long can Democrats in the legislature tolerate being completely irrelevant?”
Bergen introduced legislation to rein in the governor’s executive order authority. His bill (A4147) would require legislative oversight and would force all executive orders to expire after 14 days without an extension granted by the Legislature. It has been brought up for votes three times in the Assembly and twice in the Senate, each time voted down by the Democrats.
“Let’s be clear, if the governor is still acting unilaterally in the fall, then there is no one else to blame besides the Assembly and Senate Democrats. More specifically, the leadership in both houses.”
Bergen has also indicated he is tired of those responsible hiding behind their party.
“It’s time we name the individuals who are making these bad decisions and hold them directly accountable. Enough of the generalizations. We know who they are and we need to hold their feet to the fire at every opportunity.”
PARSIPPANY — The COVID pandemic has resulted in plummeting tax revenues and dramatically increased service expenditures putting significant strain on Townships finances. However, there is still an underlying structural deficit that needs to be addressed to avoid further damage to residential tax rates. The past three years have seen some of the worst government mismanagement of anywhere in the state. Most of us have already noticed our utility bills skyrocket from the improper usage of utility surplus to artificially limit tax increases. Soriano made the elimination of this practice a central promise of his 2017 campaign but made little progress in addressing this. As a result, the Township no longer has any surplus money to draw from and is forced to make this revenue up in this budget through either increased taxation, budget cuts, or a more creative solution that will only postpone the crisis.
Soriano has proposed issuing a five-million-dollar bond to supplement revenues and prevent a sizable tax increase from slamming residents this year, an election year. The Township Council, none of whom are running for re-election this year, have questioned the need to patch our budget with this loan. We believe the Mayor should work with the Council to address their concerns and present a budget that is appropriate to deal with the crisis. Unfortunately, it seems Mayor Soriano would rather pass the buck onto the Council, threatening layoffs and service cuts if he doesn’t get his way and spreading rumors among employees that the Township Council will be to blame. This kind of behavior is unnecessary, unproductive, and beneath the dignity of the office. As Mayor, Soriano only has one constitutional role. It isn’t posting photo ops on Facebook or cutting ribbons, it’s proposing a budget, answering any resulting questions to the Council, and getting it approved.
PARSIPPANY — Hundreds of people from all different religions, races, and political affiliations came together for the “People for Palestine” rally and teach-in at Smith Field Park on the corner of Route 46 and Baldwin Road. The rally was organized by four Morris County high school students: Sumaiya Rehman (Parsippany High School), Nicole
Piccininni, Noor Zaman, and Medina Kandil (Morris County School of Technology).
Morris County’s four youth organizers (L-R: Nicole Piccininni, Noor Zaman, Sumaiya Rehman, Medina Kandil) stand alongside Parsippany High School recent Hall of Fame inductee and founder of the local organization: the Respect My Life Foundation, as well as one of the adult organizers for the event, Jabari Jackson.
The teens set out to create a peaceful rally and teach-in for Palestine after witnessing through social media over two weeks of Israeli onslaught of Palestinians and witnessing the death of hundreds of innocent civilians. The youth organizers were joined by Jabari Jackson from the Respect My Life Foundation, who organized a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest of his own last summer. The students felt an obligation to mobilize and build awareness and even provide a voice to those across the world who do not have one. The girls’ voices were heard by the several hundred who attended the rally on an extremely hot Sunday afternoon.
Amongst the crowd were individuals of many different ethnicities, religions, and several
backgrounds. Everyone rallied and stood together for the same cause: fighting for humanity.
Several vehicles passing along Route 46 honked and waved with solidarity and support.
Youth organizer, Nicole Piccininni, gives a speech on her thoughts regarding the situation in Palestine, as people gather and listen.
The several cars passing by in attendance lifted the spirits and energy of the crowd.
The situation happening in Palestine is nothing new but now with independence and social
media, it has attracted global attention and has caused an uproar throughout the country
for people to come together and go into action for what is right. The Parsippany-held event
is one of the many held across New Jersey. In the last month, 230 Palestinians have been
killed by Israeli forces, including 65 children as well. Within the last month, in a holy area
(Jerusalem) for which, for centuries, has been the site of all three Abrahamic Faiths to
peacefully worship, had been invaded as congregations peacefully prayed the last Friday
prayer (Jum’uah) of Ramadan.
The crowd that gathered at Smith Field was not there for the sole reason to support the local youth and their efforts. Everyone attended to support the cause and fight for the justice of Palestinians. After Aziz Al-Qoalak, the San Diego Palestinian-American who lost 21 of his extended family members while Gaza was under attack mourned for days, after the attacks on Masjid Al-Aqsa, the third holiest worshipping site for Muslims, and the endless deaths of children and families in Palestine, what is happening in there is not a cause to back down from. “The fight should continue and should not end until our brothers and sisters across the world can sleep safely in their homes without the fear of waking to their homes destroyed or lives lost around them,” says another youth organizer, Medina Kandil.
The crowd gathers around Dijuan Higgins, a member of the Respect My Life Foundation and one of the event’s speakers, as he gives an inspiring speech on “Investing in Humanity.”
People from all backgrounds and spectrums came together to unite on a hot afternoon to
support the humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing, as Palestinians grapple to rebuild their desolated infrastructure that was barely rebuilt since the last bombing. People united and came together with decorated posters, Palestinian flags, and the energy and spirit to fight for the right cause. Parsippany High School junior and one of the lead organizers of the rally, Sumaiya Rehman emphasized, “There is no reason to thank the four of us youth for what we have done. What we did needed to happen; regardless of how far across the world we are.
In a time of injustice, our efforts need to be seen and executed with the right intention.”
Sumaiya is one of the organizers alongside three of her friends.
Throughout the event, there were a series of speakers. Dijuan Higgins from the Respect My
Life Foundation, Madelyn Hoffman, Green Party candidate for Governor of New Jersey, and
Morris County youth came together along with Palestinian Americans to speak out for the
the humanitarian crisis and grave injustice that their Palestinian brothers and sisters are suffering.
Additionally, Hafsa Habbeh from American Muslims for Palestine and Imam Basel Hamdeh,
from the Jam-E-Masjid Islamic Center in Boonton, were amongst the speaker lineup as well.
Americans from all walks of life and all different backgrounds stood in solidarity with
Palestine, here in Parsippany, which has the largest Muslim and Palestinian population in
Morris County.
The four youth organizers encourage Morris County and New Jersey to speak up for what is
right. In a time of injustice, unity is what we need. The youth encourage everyone to look into resources and access ways to teach themselves about the ongoing situation in Palestine.
Parents of the child in this emotional and raw picture help their son put his handprint on a powerful sign used at the Parsippany rally
MORRIS COUNTY — The announcement that masks will not be required indoors comes about a week after Murphy rejected similar mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, saying he wanted “more time on the clock” for people to get vaccinated.
Businesses can still require masks:
-Murphy said businesses and entities overseeing indoor spaces may continue to require face masks for employees, customers, and/or guests
Masks will also still be required in:
-Health care settings, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters
-On airplanes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation
-In transportation hubs such as airports and stations
-Public-facing state offices, such as NJ MVC agencies
-Worksites that are closed to the public, including warehousing and manufacturing facilities
-Child care centers and facilities
Those who are not fully vaccinated are still “strongly encouraged” to follow CDC guidance and wear a face mask in any indoor setting.
“Please be responsible and do the right thing – for your own safety and your community’s safety,” Murphy said.
Also on Friday, the state is lifting the requirement for maintaining six feet at all indoor and outdoor businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and casinos.
Also on Friday, May 28:
-Requirement for maintaining six feet of social distancing in indoor and outdoor settings will be lifted, but businesses can still require social distancing if they choose
-Prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants will be lifted
-Prohibition on ordering and eating/drinking while standing at bars and restaurants will be lifted
Effective June 4:
-State will remove all indoor gathering limits.
-State will also lift the 30% limit on large indoor venues with a fixed seating capacity of 1,000 or greater.
“The steps we’ve announced today are the clearest signs of our commitment to carefully and deliberately reopening our state,” Murphy said. “We continue to trend in the right direction with every indicator and our vaccination numbers have increased dramatically over the last two weeks.”
-Youth summer camps
-Public, private, or parochial preschool program premises
-Elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools
Nearly 4.1 million New Jersey residents have been vaccinated. That’s nearly half of the state’s population.
MORRIS COUNTY — In honor of Veteran’s Appreciation Month, Jersey 1st has partnered with Backpacks for Life to host a “virtual” supplies drive for veterans in need. “We are thrilled to support the mission of Backpacks for life and help Veterans as they transition from military life to civilian life. We learned about the difficulties that veterans face today- and especially throughout the pandemic from Backpacks for life Founders Alexa Modero and Brett D’Alessandro when they joined us Jersey 1st TV and shared their mission. We are honored to help our veterans- one backpack at a time” said Rosemary Becchi, President and Founder of Jersey 1st.
See the full Jersey 1st / Backpacks for life interview by clicking here.
Backpack For Life’s Mission is to provide unique and personalized support to homeless and at-risk veterans currently struggling to reintegrate into civilian life. Whether it’s supplying a backpack filled with daily essentials or providing guidance through their mentorship program, there is nothing they won’t do for our veterans, military spouses, and family members.
The supplies drive will run through the end of May. All goods ordered online will be delivered to Backpacks For Life after the drive ends.
Jersey 1st is a non-profit committed to identifying, educating, and advocating for economic and social policies that put the interests of New Jersey families and businesses first.
For more information on Backpacks for Life click here.
PARSIPPANY — Powdermill Towing and Pacific Outdoor Advertising are proposing a two-sided, lighted, 60-foot-high billboard on the premises of Powdermill Towing, 299 Littleton Road. The billboard is for the purpose of advertising on Route 80.
The proposed billboard, 60 feet high, will tower over 333 Littleton Road and is absolutely out of proportion with the surrounding neighborhood.
Hearing for this proposal is scheduled for June 23 at the Board of Adjustment meeting.
The hearing is a legal proceeding: Protests and comments will not be heard until the entire case is presented.
You can ask questions, but not make statements until all testimony is heard.
The seven Board of Adjustment members are citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Town Council. They are sensitive to neighborhood opposition. If you oppose this, it is important to make your opinions known at the hearing. The proposal needs three variances. Variances allow a property owner to violate zoning specified in the town Master Plan. (In other words, off-premise signs like this are not allowed in the zone of Powdermill Towing Property.) The variances are for height (35 feet allowed, 60 feet proposed), use (off-premise sign), and for two principal uses of a property.
Five Board members must vote in favor of this to pass.
Need more information? Contact Julia and Robert Peterson at jrplivben@optonline.net; View plans at the Zoning Office (for appointment contact NJolie@parsippany.net). Express your opinion to Town Council representatives and candidates.
A log-in to the meeting will be posted at a later date on this story.
PARSIPPANY — The Friends of the Parsippany Library are holding an Outdoor Bag Sale at the Main Branch Library at 449 Halsey Road, on Saturday, June 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Choose from hundreds of books to fill out your home library!. Fill a regular bag for $5.00
Fill a large bag for $10.00
(Bags will be provided on-site)
ALSO – Friends of the Library members get the added benefit of Buy One Bag, Get a Second Bag FREE.
This is a cash-only event. Masks are required by all guests attending the event.
Regular Office Hours
Mon – Thurs: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Special Events*
PAL will be staffed as needed per the PAL program schedule
Parsippany Community Center
1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 | Call (973)263-7163
*Building will remain closed to the public except by appointment until further notice* Building Hours of Operation
Mon – Thurs: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Memorial Day is one of our nation’s most important commemorations, as we honor those brave men and women who have fallen in the service of our armed forces.
This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Township is once again recording a Memorial Day ceremony to be broadcast to the public on Monday, May 31.
With safety and social distancing a top priority of production, the Township is planning a beautiful ceremony that will match the in-person observances we’ve held for years.
We want to thank Video on the Go and Council President Mike dePierro for their help in the planning and execution of this endeavor.
We’ve all had to make sacrifices over the course of this pandemic, but here in Parsippany, we will not give up honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Please tune in to Public Access Channel 21, Facebook, or YouTube on Memorial Day to be part of this important tradition. Live streams will begin at 10:00 a.m. online, and will run every hour on the hour on public access television.
