Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Kicks Off “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

Frank L. Cahill
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Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Kicks Off “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

PARSIPPANY — Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany kicked off the campaign by setting up pinwheel gardens and displays, with the first at the Parsippany Town Hall, followed by several other displays around town to help raise awareness in our community by turning attention to the importance of ensuring great childhoods for all children because our children are our future.

This year’s theme is GROWING a Better Tomorrow for All Children, TOGETHER, and the organization continues to work through trying times, and they are growing a better tomorrow for all children, together. This April is more important than ever to help positive childhood experiences take root in your community and across the country.  There are other ways to show your support.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano issued a Proclamation for “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

A great way to show your support is to join us for Wear Blue Day!  Wear blue to support growing a better tomorrow for all children, together. Post a #WearBlueDay2021 selfie today as we kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month and spread the word about supporting positive childhood experiences for all children!

You can also make your voice heard by contacting elected officials on April 21st—Digital Advocacy Day! Spread the word about important policies and programs. You can make a difference and support children and families while staying safe at home.

Special thanks to the Parsippany IHOP on Route 46 and Cedar Knolls IHOP on E. Hanover Avenue, who have continued to support the Kiwanis Club with this important cause.  This year IHOP will have contribution boxes in both locations so donations can be collected during the month of April to benefit Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano issued a Proclamation for “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

In addition, we want to thank Matt from the Gourmet Cafe for his generous donation and continued support of our Prevent Child Abuse NJ campaign.

All throughout April, you will see pinwheels on display around the Parsippany and Lake Hiawatha areas as the symbol of this very thought…that all children deserve a great childhood because they are our future.

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.

Karen DeChristopher, Kiwanis Club’s Committee Chairman of “Young Children Priority One” programs has lead this campaign for the past five 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 their 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.”

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. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets via Zoom during the pandemic but will resume in-person meetings at the Empire Diner shortly.  We are 63 members strong and growing.  New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany).

Crackdown on Distracted Driving Begins

Frank L. Cahill
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Crackdown on Distracted Driving Begins

MORRIS COUNTY — April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways, say police. Statistics from the Office of the Attorney General show that from 2012 to 2016, nearly 800,000 crashed in New Jersey that involved a distracted driver. In New Jersey, driver inattention remains the most significant cause of fatal and incapacitating crashes. Distracted Driving is any activity that takes a person’s attention away from driving. These distractions include:

  • Texting
  • Using a cell phone or smartphone
  • Eating and drinking
  • Talking to passengers
  • Grooming
  • Reading, including maps
  • Using a navigation system
  • Watching a video
  • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

New Jersey law bans the use of a handheld cell phone while driving. Drivers who talk or text on a handheld cell phone while driving face a fine.

From April 1-21, 2021, police officers, will conduct special enforcement patrols targeting distracted drivers. The enforcement will take the form of roving patrols and fixed checkpoints.

Employment Horizons, a Virtual Taste of Spring Wine Tasting & Charcuterie Board Building

Frank L. Cahill
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Employment Horizons, a Virtual Taste of Spring Wine Tasting & Charcuterie Board Building

MORRIS COUNTY — Employment Horizons is putting a pandemic twist on their annual event. This year’s Taste of Spring will be a Virtual Wine Tasting & Charcuterie Board Building event. This event will take place Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Employment Horizons thanks the sponsors: Champagne Sponsors, Dan Collins & Christine Conti-Collins, First Energy Foundation, Pinot Noir Sponsors, Solid, Inc., Whole Foods Market, and our Artisan Cheese Sponsors, Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C., Provident Bank, and Chick-fil-A.  They are so grateful for your support and generosity.

Employment Horizons will be partnering with The Food Gurus at ShopRite of Greater Morristown. This event will cost $100.00 per box, serving one to two adults. Each box will include wine and an assortment of cheeses, and other charcuterie board necessities to help you create your board. Boxes need to be picked up prior to the event at the ShopRite of Greater Morristown. The deadline to register for the Virtual Taste of Spring Wine Tasting and Charcuterie Board Building event is Friday, April 9, 2021.

Proceeds from event participation and all funds raised go directly to the Employment Horizons’ Culinary Arts Training Program. Now more than ever, people with disabilities need to learn the skills necessary to obtain the job of their choice.

To register click here or call Karen Rynearson at (973) 538-8822 ext. 228.

Watch Parsippany’s Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Asian Discrimination

Frank L. Cahill
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Watch Parsippany’s Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Asian Discrimination

PARSIPPANY — Community leaders and residents of Parsippany joined Mayor Soriano this week to discuss cultural bias against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The discussion touched on many important topics affecting the country and highlighted Parsippany’s celebration of diversity in the township.

The Mayor was joined by:

  • Pastor Paul Shen of the Parsippany Chinese Christian Church
  • Akshay Pujara of the Parsippany BAPS Swaminarayan Temple
  • Jinlai Fu, the former Principal of the Morris Chinese Academy
  • Florence Kan, President of the Evergreen Ping Pong Club
  • Isabel Lu, a working Parsippany Parent, with her daughter Olivia Lu

Important Resources for Our Community:
Parsippany Police Department: 911 (emergency) or 973-263-4300 (non-emergency)
Parsippany Community Center: 973-263-7163
Mayor’s Action Center: 973-263-4262

To Report a Bias Incident in New Jersey
Go to: https://www.nj.gov/oag/bias/report-bi…​
Email: NJBIAS@NJDCJ.org
Call: 800-277-BIAS (2427)

Resources for Safety and Bystander Training
http://www.stopAAPIHate.org​
http://www.StandAgainstHatred.org​

Governor Phil Murphy Signs Legislation Providing $25 Million in Small Business Aid

Frank L. Cahill
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Governor Phil Murphy Signs Legislation Providing $25 Million in Small Business Aid

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy today signed into law S-3523, which provides $25 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for small businesses throughout New Jersey. The bill – sponsored by Senators Dawn Marie Addiego and Joe Lagana and Assemblymen Gordon Johnson, John Armato, and Roy Freiman – focuses on providing a lifeline to micro businesses with five or fewer employees. The bill is part of a five-bill, $100 million relief effort aimed at helping New Jersey’s economy recover from the year-long pandemic.

“Main Street businesses have always been the backbone of our economy and unfortunately have been the hardest hit during the pandemic,” said Governor Murphy. “This bill, along with others I’ll sign later this month, will help thousands of businesses keep their doors open as we climb out of the economic hardships wrought by COVID-19.”

“New Jersey never fully recovered from the Great Recession, and a lot of that was due to the limited relief residents, businesses and organizations received,” said Senator Dawn Marie Addiego. “Right now, we have an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and provide relief funding for those who have struggled over the past year, specifically microbusinesses. No more businesses should have to permanently close because of the pandemic, and this legislation will provide the assistance needed to prevent any more business closures.”

“In the last year, small businesses across the state have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many being forced to permanently close their doors due to a lack of revenue,” said Senator Joseph Lagana. “Our employees and business owners have been hurt badly, especially in the smaller economies throughout the state. It is crucial to provide the support needed for our businesses to remain open and once again thrive in communities across New Jersey.”

“Microbusinesses are facing unprecedented challenges through no fault of their own because of this ongoing public health crisis,” said Assemblymen Gordon Johnson, Roy Freiman, and John Armato. “Offering our support in these difficult times will help ensure these valuable enterprises can continue to succeed for years to come.”

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. While these businesses have been hit the hardest by COVID-19, the resilience and ingenuity of business owners and their employees throughout the pandemic have been inspiring,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “I am proud to be here today with Governor Murphy celebrating this new bill that will provide additional resources for small businesses as they begin the hard work of recovering from the devastation of the pandemic.”

“Small businesses are not only the backbone of our economy, but are the center of our downtowns and local communities, so we are thrilled that Governor Murphy and the Legislature are taking this step to make sure significant funds are available to assist them through this crisis,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell. “Throughout the last year, we’ve seen how important it is for all levels of government to work together to provide the necessary help and support for our residents and businesses. That’s what is happening in Burlington County and across New Jersey.”

The relief aid will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which so far has provided more than $250 million in aid to 55,000 New Jersey businesses.

The bill signing was held at Fond Memories, a boutique in Medford specializing in jewelry, handbags, and baby gifts. Fond Memories was opened in 1987.

Man Charged in Connection with Morristown Train Station Homicide

Frank L. Cahill
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Man Charged in Connection with Morristown Train Station Homicide

MORRIS COUNTY — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo, and Morristown Police Department Acting Chief Darnell Richardson announce the arrest of Lamar A. Harris, 33, last known address was 1 Jean Street, Morristown.

At approximately 12:29 a.m. on March 29, 2021, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male in the area of the Morristown Train Station, Morris Street, Morristown. Subsequent investigation confirmed that the male’s body was located on a stairway at the train station. The male had apparent head injuries and a brick was located next to the body. An autopsy was performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the manner of death was certified as a homicide. The male’s full name and identity will not be disclosed at his family’s request.

Subsequent investigation including video surveillance from the Morristown Train Station area revealed the victim was in the company of Lamar Harris in the time before the murder. Harris was apprehended in Morristown on March 31, 2021. He has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree Robbery, third-degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes, and fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. In accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Harris has been remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.

Members of the Morristown Police Department, the New Jersey Transit Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit all contributed to the investigation.

Acting Prosecutor Carroll commended the thorough and efficient police work of the several cooperating agencies involved in this investigation. He also cited Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Muhammad Thomas, Morristown Police Department Detective Robert Edwards, New Jersey Transit Police Detective James Garrison, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Detective Andreas Zaharopoulos, and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn for their teamwork and dedication to this “round the clock investigation” that resulted in an arrest within approximately 48 hours from the initial crime report.

Acting Prosecutor Carroll stated, “This is an example of police agencies selflessly pulling together to respond to a murder scene, develop evidence, identify a suspect and then safely effectuate an arrest.”

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200.

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.

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Scheduled for April 7, 2021

Frank L. Cahill
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Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Scheduled for April 7, 2021

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 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 for the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting.

Click here to access the meeting.

Planning Board Meeting Set for Monday, April 5

Frank L. Cahill
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Planning Board Meeting Set for Monday, April 5

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Planning Board meeting on Monday, April 5, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 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.

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

Op-Ed: We Refuse to be Silenced

Focus contributor
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Op-Ed: We Refuse to be Silenced

PARSIPPANY — This article was submitted by Prerna Shankar and Parsippany resident Savaas Iqbal, who are in the 2021 class of the Governor’s STEM Scholars. They have written a piece outlining the challenges women face in STEM, from the perspective of high school students.  As March is both Women’s History Month and NJ STEM Month, I cannot think of a more relevant time to explore this topic.

March 2021: Women’s History Month. This month is about celebrating women’s contributions to the world. This year’s theme is “Refusing to be Silenced”; appreciating all the women who have broken stereotypes and refused to be treated as lesser. When it comes to STEM, women aren’t as present in the field as men, and for a variety of reasons. In honor of STEM Month, we refuse to be silenced when it comes to gender disparities in STEM.

Consider Katalin Karikó, Ph.D, a Hungarian-born biochemist, one of few women scientists that may be awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

If she wins, she will be one of only eight women to receive the honor in the prize’s 110 years.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, her revolutionary research is the backbone of the mRNA vaccines. Her work provides lifesaving protection to millions. Like her, there are millions of female innovators. However, these women make up a minute fraction of the men who have dominated the field.

Women in STEM are capable, yet a small part of them pursue careers in STEM— mainly due to a lack of female role models and inequalities between the sexes even from young ages. We, as young women of color who are interested in pursuing STEM, feel the public should know about our struggles as young women in STEM and elaborate on how to combat inequalities across STEM professions.

Many believe that there aren’t any gender inequities in STEM. If this were the case, representation in STEM would be equal. The data simply says otherwise; for example, women only hold 5% of leadership positions in the technology industry.

We have been exposed to science from our youth, and understand the necessity for women to be exposed to STEM. It opens up opportunities for us to broaden our perspectives and innovate.

When we think of famous scientists, we think of Einstein, Darwin, and Newton. Notice how no women are listed. Why don’t we think of Ada Lovelace, Jane Goodall, Katherine Johnson?

The key difference is that these women aren’t given the visibility they deserve. The achievements of men are exposed to us from a young age and we can list them off the top of our heads, yet we have to resort to Google searches to find notable women in STEM.

There’s a consistent pattern of boys dominating science classes and camps compared to girls. As high school STEM students, we’ve noticed this trend for years – even as early as elementary school.

There’s a real dichotomy of being inspired and excited by scientific thought and innovation while being iced out as the only woman in the group, left to sit alone at the literal and proverbial lunch table. It’s something that we’ve experienced, as have many young women exploring the sciences. This isolation is common in STEM careers: we often form cliques with like-minded people, ones who think, act, and look like us – and for kids, this often starts with gender. However, this just goes to show that it’s times like these when we’re forced to think about how alone women are in STEM.

This isn’t limited to us: in general, women’s interest in STEM declines when reaching high school. According to Girls Who Code, 74% of young girls in middle school express interest in STEM or computer science, but only 18% of computer science degrees are held by women. This indicates how drastically interest in STEM drops as young girls reach college: what discourages them from staying on that path? Is it the overwhelming male presence? The lack of role models? There are many factors that contribute to this drop, but this problem can be fixed.

There are issues concerning women in STEM workplaces, and there are things we can do to facilitate equality going forward.

Engaging girls from a young age by introducing STEM programs catered to them will allow them to get exposure from the beginning. Introducing female role models to girls from elementary to high school is also important; it gives us the confidence to pursue what we want to while knowing that others have paved the way for us to do so.

We will keep advocating for these changes for our fellow women in STEM. We will keep addressing these issues, so we can create opportunities to fix them going forward. The gender discrepancies we see today are no small matter, and we won’t back down when it comes to advocating for this cause.

We refuse to be silenced.

Savaas Iqbal is a sophomore at the Academy for Biotechnology located at Mountain Lakes High School and a Parsippany resident. He aspires to enter the field of STEM and inspire other women to do so as well. Savaas currently volunteers to tutor elementary school children in science and mathematics. He has been working to ensure that the young girls they tutor are able to build confidence in their abilities in science and mathematics. Savaas is a 2021 Governor’s STEM Scholar. 

Prerna Shankar is a junior at North Hunterdon High School’s Biomedical Sciences Academy, where she studies in-depth topics related to the fields of medicine and health sciences. She is also the president and founder of the Brain Bee Club at North Hunterdon and was a finalist in the Princeton Brain Bee competition this year. Through volunteering and devoting her time to causes she cares about, she makes sure to give back to her community in any way possible. Prerna aspires to pursue neuroscience in the future while creating opportunities and awareness for women in the field. She is a 2021 Governor’s STEM Scholar. 

The Governor’s STEM Scholars is a program of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey.  It introduces New Jersey high school and college students to the State’s vast STEM economy. Applications are now open for the 2022 class of Governor’s STEM Scholars at www.govstemscholars.com.

Honor Student Kylie Wan Nominated for The Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Frank L. Cahill
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Honor Student Kylie Wan Nominated for The Congress of Future Medical Leaders

PARSIPPANY —  Kylie Wan, a Junior at Parsippany Hills High School is a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders on June 26 and 27, 2021.

The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan, and resources to help them reach their goal.

Kylie’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent New Jersey-based on her academic achievement, leadership potential, and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine. During the two-day Congress, Kylie Wan will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially. Focused, bright and determined students like Kylie Wan are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.

The Academy offers free services and programs to students who want to become physicians or go into medical science. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students; and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more.

The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of this vital career. Based in Washington, D.C. and with offices in Boston, MA, the Academy was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to the service of humanity as physicians, medical scientists. For more information click here or call (617) 307-7425.

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