Letter to the Editor: I support Cori Herbig for Township Council

Letters to the Editor
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Dear Editor:
parsippany focus
I have had the pleasure of being neighbors with Cori Herbig for many years, and I am happy to consider her a friend as well. I support her campaign for Parsippany Township Council.
Cori has dedicated her life to making the world a better place. From keeping families safe from illegal evictions to over a decade fighting animal cruelty at the ASPCA, to protecting our children from gun violence, Cori has always worked to support the world around her. In her current role as the US States Public Policy Director at Mars, she is working to make the planet more sustainable.
I have lived in Parsippany for many years now, choosing this town to raise my family in, and I believe Cori is one of the most qualified individuals to serve on the Town Council. She understands that helping people comes before politics and will always do the right thing, no matter what. Cori is always open to new ideas and will work with the mayor and the rest of the council to address the issue that affects our town. As a mother of two school-age children, I have complete confidence that Cori will do whatever she can to keep Parsippany the best town for my children, as well as every single resident who lives here.
Let’s make the right choice and pick Cori Herbig for Town Council!
Bernadette Berdetta

Letter to the Editor: Soriano’s Facebook Shenanigans

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

I am old enough to remember the controversy during the previous mayoral election that began with the misuse of government money by our former mayor, Jamie Barberio, and that ridiculous mailer sent out right before the election. The criticism that came from the Soriano camp was completely valid in that this kind of behavior was not just unethical, but possibly illegal. I agreed with Soriano then, which is why I am so dismayed to have seen our taxpayer-funded Township of Parsippany Facebook page morph into a propaganda tool by the current administration over the past few years. A cursory look down the Facebook feed of the township and you will find promotional videos of his council candidates and their various doings on in town, such as cleaning up the Troy-Meadows River. While the irony of Soriano and his administration taking its first steps to “clean up Parsippany” during an election year, three years after his election, is not lost on me, it is remarkable just how far he and his administration have fallen.

I also understand that Herbig and Hernandez are involved with our “Green Team” but those are appointed spots by guess-who, the Mayor. He should recognize the possible conflict of interest he has in making them the current focus of Township efforts to get the word out and show residents he is dissimilar from his predecessor. While I am sure what he is doing is not illegal, it is demonstrably unethical and in contrast to his promise of clean local government, and I hope the Township Council takes steps to prevent his misuse of township communications from occurring in the future. What was promised to us was a fresh new approach to local government that would keep our taxes relatively stable while making sure we still received the services that have made Parsippany a place of pride. Instead, it appears that we’re stuck with an elected representative who can only think of costly, innovative ways to hold on to power, no matter the damage.

P.S. Our water bill is out of control, please dedicate more time to ensuring that isn’t something that will force residents to leave.

Jigesh Patel

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – April 6, 2021

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – April 6, 2021

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – April 6, 2021.

High School and College Seniors Offered Vaccinations in Morris County

Frank L. Cahill
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High School and College Seniors Offered Vaccinations in Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County and Atlantic Health System (AHS) launched an initiative today to encourage graduating high school and college seniors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in time for in-person graduation ceremonies and family celebrations this spring.

High school and college seniors in Morris County are being urged to schedule appointments now at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall in Rockaway Township by clicking here, which leads to Atlantic Health System’s website.

“We are grateful for the fast work of our county professionals who organized this important initiative in just a few days. I also want to recognize the extensive expertise Atlantic Health System staff are bringing to the program as they insert appointments for these young men and women into the intricate operations at the busy vaccination center,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw.

“Atlantic Health System is committed to building healthier communities and that includes helping ensure we can all enjoy life’s important moments safely and in good health,” said Kevin Lenahan, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Atlantic Health System. “We proudly join our partners in Morris County is strongly encouraging all eligible students to get vaccinated as soon as they can find an available appointment.”

Students can immediately schedule appointments that are available this week at the Vaccination Center, which has been issuing vaccines to about 4,000 people daily. The student appointments will not interfere with any other scheduled appointments. Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all vaccination appointments.

“Thanks to the efforts of our healthcare workers and educators, Morris County is a leader in the effort to get our schools reopened,” said Dr. Timothy Purnell, Morris County Executive County Superintendent. “This vaccine deployment is yet another effort to protect the health of our residents, and to get our children back to social interaction and human connection.”

The student vaccination initiative was proposed by John Krickus when he presented vaccination data to the board regarding Morris County, which is leading the state in per-capita inoculations through all the various facilities issuing vaccinations in the county.

Krickus said it is important to create opportunities for student inoculations. It will maximize the ability of educational institutions to resume public high school and college graduation ceremonies and it must be anticipated that friends and families of the graduates will be holding private gatherings.

“We want to give high school seniors and college grads the best chance at having as close to a normal graduation experience as possible. This effort not only protects the students, their families, and their friends during graduation celebrations that inevitably will be held, whether publicly or privately, it also will not affect the supply of vaccine for others in our community who very much need it,” said Commissioner Krickus.

The Commissioner noted the State of New Jersey had already authorized the inoculation of young people over age 16 as of April 19.

The Vaccination Center was opened on January 8 under a partnership with Morris County, Atlantic Health System, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the State of New Jersey. It is operated by AHS medical professionals and staff from the Morris County law and public safety department, with the assistance of the sheriff’s office.

Help the Munoz Family with Medical Expenses

Frank L. Cahill
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Help the Munoz Family with Medical Expenses

PARSIPPANY — Louis Yuliano, Chief of Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, is organizing a GoFundMe to help with unexpected medical and funeral costs of Franco Munoz.

Franco was a hard worker, whose family came to this country from Chile for a better life and to live the American dream.

He was a true family man and would help anyone in need; no questions asked.

He was a dedicated servant, volunteering with Parsippany Rescue and Recovery for twenty years.  He helped so many, and now, he needs our help.

Click here to make a donation.

Rainbow Lakes Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony

Frank L. Cahill
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Rainbow Lakes Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony

PARSIPPANY — The Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company (Parsippany Fire District Two), in partnership with the Veteran’s of Rainbow Lakes, is pleased to announce that the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will return on Saturday, May 29.

The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Rainbow Lakes Firehouse, 1 Rainbow Trail, and end at the Rainbow Lakes ball field off Oakdale Road where a memorial service honoring America’s fallen will be held.

Mark your calendar and attend this time-honored event that has been around in Rainbow for several decades.

The parade and the service will go from 10:30 a.m. to roughly 11:45 a.m. The parade and memorial service will follow all current federal, state, and local guidelines regarding COVID-19.

All spectators in attendance are asked to please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 safety concerns, there will be no open house barbecue following the memorial ceremony.

The members of the Rainbow Lakes Fire Company and the Veterans of Rainbow Lakes would look forward to seeing you again, in person, on May 29!

Jump Start Your Future with a CCM Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing

Frank L. Cahill
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Jump Start Your Future with a CCM Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing

MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) is offering individuals an opportunity to embark on a well-paying career path in advanced manufacturing by taking part in paid on-the-job training through its CareerAdvance USA apprenticeship program.

The first step to becoming an apprentice in the CareerAdvance USA program is to take part in a boot camp to learn the basic skills needed for employment in advanced manufacturing. The boot camp covers all the advanced manufacturing basics and gives students the opportunity to earn college credits over a six- to the nine-week timeframe. Training takes place in the college’s new Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center, featuring the latest equipment in a high-tech environment.

While the apprenticeship program is offered at no cost, there is a $3,750 fee, plus the purchase of supplies, to take part in the boot camp. There are opportunities for scholarships, funding for those unemployed or underemployed, as well as structured payment options.

It is estimated that over the next decade advanced manufacturing will need to fill 3.4 million jobs with most of those positions being related to the pending retirement of baby boomers. Along with good job prospects, the field pays well with an average starting salary of $45,000 to $65,000 plus benefits after completing an apprenticeship.

If a career in advanced manufacturing interests you, join one of the Virtual Info Sessions to learn how to prepare for an apprenticeship. The sessions take place on Wednesdays. The upcoming sessions are:

  • April 21, 5:00 p.m.
  • May 5, 9:00 a.m.
  • May 26, 12:00 Noon
  • June 9, 5:00 p.m.
  • June 23, 2:00 p.m.
  • July 14, 2:00 p.m.
  • July 28, 5:00 p.m.
  • August 11, 12:00 Noon
  • August 25, 12:00 Noon

To learn more about CCM’s advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program and to register for an information session click here.

Murphy Signs Bills Strengthening How Law Enforcement Agencies Manage Sexual Assault Cases

Frank L. Cahill
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Murphy Signs Bills Strengthening How Law Enforcement Agencies Manage Sexual Assault Cases

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed a series of bills strengthening how law enforcement agencies handle sexual assault cases. These bills direct law enforcement agencies to allocate additional resources to sexual assault cases, increase training for prosecutors on how to manage these cases, and change reporting structures to ensure that survivors are properly notified about their cases. As part of this package of bills, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal will also be tasked with publishing an annual report detailing the scope of sexual assault incidents statewide.

“It is imperative that we take steps to make sure that survivors in New Jersey know they can seek justice,” said Governor Murphy. “Giving our law enforcement agencies clear directives and guidance on how to manage sexual assault cases will ensure that these cases are handled with survivors in mind. These long-overdue reforms will change how survivors interact with law enforcement agencies and provide additional information on the scope of these incidents. I am proud to sign these bills into law.”

Previously, Governor Murphy signed the Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights,  legislation to protect survivors and legislation to create a new commission on campus sexual assault. Attorney General Grewal also issued a directive to law enforcement in 2018 that created fourteen protocols prioritizing the needs and concerns of sexual assault victims in New Jersey and ensuring that victims are treated with respect and understanding by law enforcement in the days, weeks, and months after reporting an assault. Many of today’s actions codify and expand on that 2018 directive.

Governor Murphy signed the following legislation:

  • S3070/A4884 (Weinberg, Turner/Vainieri Huttle, McKnight, Reynolds-Jackson) Establishes “Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program.”
  • S3071/4885 (Weinberg, Ruiz/Vainieri Huttle, Lopez, Reynolds-Jackson) Requires law enforcement to provide the victim of sexual assault with an initial incident report; provides the victim with an option to review the initial incident report and submit the corrective form.
  • S3072/A4886 – (Weinberg, Cunningham/Vainieri Huttle, Murphy, Reynolds-Jackson) Requires resources to be made available to victims of sexual assault.
  • S3073/A4887 – (Weinberg, Corrado/Vainieri Huttle, Jasey, Timberlake) Establishes right of victims to be notified of the county prosecutor’s charging decision in sexual assault cases.
  • S3074/A4888 – (Weinberg, Greenstein/Vainieri Huttle, Lopez) Requires the Office of the Attorney General to issue an annual report concerning sexual assault cases.
  • S3075/A4889 – (Weinberg, Pou/Vainieri Huttle, Quijano, Speight) Establishes sexual violence liaison officer in Division of State Police and local police departments.
  • S3076/A4890 – (Weinberg, Gill/Vainieri Huttle, McKnight, Reynolds-Jackson) Requires sexual assault training for prosecutors.

“This legislation codifies and in some instances expands upon the important steps our office has taken in the last several years to improve the way law enforcement officers and prosecutors engage with victims of sexual assault, with the goal of ensuring that survivors’ cases are handled in accordance with best practices by police and prosecutors,” said Attorney General Grewal. “With the signing of these bills into law, New Jersey stands as a model for improving survivor-focused case management and law enforcement training and reporting, so we can achieve justice while treating survivors of sex crimes.

“New Jersey adds to its portfolio of survivor-centered, trauma-informed laws and transforms how our state responds to the needs of survivors of sexual violence,” said Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA). “The signing of this package of bills is a direct reflection of what kind of change is possible when we collectively center the lived experiences of survivors to inform necessary policy and practice reforms. NJCASA is thankful for the survivors, advocates, bill sponsors, and Governor Murphy who made this possible.”

Letter to the Editor: Parsippany’s Path Forward on Cannabis

Letters to the Editor
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Letter to the Editor: Parsippany’s Path Forward on Cannabis

parsippany focusDear Editor:

In November 67% of NJ voters and 63% of Parsippany voters overwhelmingly supported cannabis legalization leaving behind decades of the cannabis culture wars. This is a new day and the choice in the next 180 days is to respect the will of the voters, put aside personal and/or political ideology and decide how we go about implementing new sources of cash flow for the township.

Cannabis is legal. The only question for the council now: does Parsippany pick up new operating revenue or leave it for our neighboring towns and rely on our residents to balance their budget or take the time to analyze the opportunities and issues to make decisions that best serve the town and respect the choice of the majority of our constituents.

The ordinance presented at the April 6th town council meeting opts out of all cannabis businesses on concerns related to retail establishments. Retail establishments are one (1) of six (6) cannabis business classes.

The six (6) business classes include cultivating, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and delivery services that are no different than other businesses presently operating in Parsippany and offer municipalities revenue opportunities that provide the town a maximum of 2% from each sale at each stage of the business process. The legislation also allows the township the ability to limit the number and type of businesses allowed, their location and operating hours.

In addition to producing meaningful revenue from cannabis business sales, they will fill empty buildings generating additional revenue rather than have developers acquire these sites and build more housing that puts money in the hands of developers instead of taxpayers, increases traffic, and negatively impacts our schools.

Opting out without further consideration will not mitigate concerns related to individual use and law enforcement issues since Parsippany residents could purchase cannabis products through retail establishments and delivery services from surrounding municipalities and counties and it does little to stop individuals traveling through Parsippany with cannabis products. In addition, legalization offers potential savings related to law enforcement as illegal cannabis operations decline.

Rather than opting out completely, we are looking to reach a fair-minded balance on a reasonable path forward that respects the will of our constituents and realizes the benefits that legalization presents for Parsippany residents.

Council members Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson

HUD Announces $5 Billion to Increase Affordable Housing to Address Homelessness

Frank L. Cahill
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HUD Announces $5 Billion to Increase Affordable Housing to Address Homelessness

WASHINGTON —  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, along with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, held a Zoom call to discuss the nearly $5 billion in American Rescue Plan funds allocated by HUD to help communities across the country create affordable housing and services for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

The supplemental funding is allocated through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to 651 grantees, including states, insular areas, and local governments.

“Homelessness in the United States was increasing even before COVID-19, and we know the pandemic has only made the crisis worse,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “HUD’s swift allocation of this $5 billion in American Rescue Plan funding reflects our commitment to addressing homelessness as a priority. With this strong funding, communities across the country will have the resources needed to give homes to the people who have had to endure the COVID-19 pandemic without one.”

“New Jersey will receive $130,874,863, HUD funding that will go a long way to alleviate homelessness in the Garden State,” said Justin Scheid, HUD Newark Field Office Director. “The Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress shows that there were 9,662 homeless New Jerseyans before the pandemic, a number that has the potential to increase.  Children and families deserve a decent place to live and the HOME / ARP funding can begin to heal the lives affected by homelessness and the fear of becoming homeless.”

The $4.925 billion in HOME-ARP funding gives states the flexibility to best meet the needs of people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including through the development of affordable housing, tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services, and acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units. Funds must be spent by 2030.

The nearly $5 billion in HOME-ARP funding is the first of two homelessness-related funding opportunities from the American Rescue Plan that HUD will release. In the coming weeks, HUD will announce the allocation of funding for emergency vouchers for people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness.

While the nearly $5 billion in HOME-ARP funding will deliver near-term relief to people experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness, President Biden’s American Jobs Plan would build on this relief with additional robust funding to bring the United States closer to ending homelessness and housing instability.

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