Sherrill Votes for Two Landmark Immigration Bills

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted for two landmark immigration bills that address key problems in America’s current immigration system. H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, seeks to continue protections for Dreamers and many of those who already hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders. H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, is a bipartisan effort to make common-sense improvements to the visa processes and ensure protections for America’s farmworkers.

“There’s no doubt America’s immigration system is broken. Both pieces of bipartisan legislation we voted for today are just a start in the pursuit for meaningful, comprehensive immigration reform,” said Rep. Sherrill. “They address some of the most pressing issues facing those who are already here, including Dreamers who were brought to our country as children and have never known another home, and farmworkers who have been doing the essential work of keeping America’s food supply up and running through the pandemic. I will continue to fight for meaningful immigration reform and to promote a foreign policy that seeks to improve the economic hardship and political unrest in countries around the globe in order to address the core issues that drive people from their homes and families.”

 

Committee Approves Expanding DeCroce’s Barber Pilot Program 

PARSIPPANY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s barber pilot program signed into law in 2019 would be expanded to professionals from states or countries that do not issue licenses under a bill released by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee.

Under current law, the three-year pilot program applies only to barbers and hairstylists who possess a license from another state or country.

“Preventing a new resident of New Jersey from working and making a living could put their welfare in jeopardy. Many of these highly-skilled professionals have been cutting hair for years, but can’t produce a non-existent license from another country,” said DeCroce, who is a prime sponsor of the bill (A1256) that passed in committee today. “Expanding this successful pilot program to include more barbers is the right thing to do, especially given the economic crisis we are currently experiencing.”

As long as new residents apply for a license from the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and meet state standards for cutting hair, they can receive a 120-day temporary license. If the applicant continues to meet the requirements of the pilot program and the application for issuance of a license remains pending, the temporary license could be extended.

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Scheduled for March 24

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, March 24, 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.

  • Click here to download the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting agenda.
  • Click here to access the meeting.

Step-by-Step Guides

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

“Egg My House” Fundraiser for American Cancer Society

PARSIPPANY — How would you like to wake up to a yard filled with candy stuffed eggs!? The committee members of Relay for Life of Morris County will hide ​50​ candy-filled eggs on your lawn the night before Easter so your children can wake up to an egg hunt from the Easter bunny!

Minimum Donation per house of $30.00 for 50 eggs! Order by April 1, ​All proceeds go to Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

How to Sign up: ​Email ​relaywithreagan@gmail.com​ and include your name, your address, phone number, allergies (and any pets to beware of)!
Donate/Pay!- ​Venmo “rflfundraising” or request another form of payment by emailing relaywithreagan@gmail.com.

Planning Board Meeting Set for Monday, March 22

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Planning Board meeting on Monday, March 22, 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.

Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing Outdoor Interstate Youth Sports Competitions

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order 232, which will rescind the current prohibition on outdoor interstate youth competitions, effective 6:00 a.m. on Friday, March 19.

“As the weather begins to warm up and with outdoor sports, seasons looking to begin, I am pleased that we are able to take this step,” said Governor Murphy. “This has been a challenging year, and I am excited to know that our young athletes will soon be competing out on the field.”

Attendees at outdoor sports competitions will be limited to players, coaches, and officials, and up to two parents or guardians per participating athlete. No additional spectators or attendees will be allowed.

All persons in attendance at youth sports competitions must follow all health and safety protocols for sports activities, which require attendees to wear masks and social distance, and athletes to wear masks when not engaged in activity.

The prohibition on indoor sports competitions remains in effect.

Click here to download a copy of Executive Order #232.

Parsippany College Connect Offers Scholarships

PARSIPPANY — Attention Parsippany High and Parsippany Hills seniors! Parsippany College Connect is awarding a scholarship to a senior at both the Hills and High who exemplify the values of our online platform, which serves as a forum for Parsippany high school students to learn from and connect with college students.

Awardees should demonstrate prior active involvement in our local community, a desire to engage with our community in college, and a willingness to be a role model for advocacy and leadership. Awardees will be judged blindly and selected by the Leadership Team of Parsippany College Connect and will be featured on our online platform, social media, and Parsippany Focus.

If you are interested or know a high school senior who you think would be a great fit for this award, click here for the application form. All application material must be submitted to parsippanycollegeconnect@gmail.com by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16.

Click here for Parsippany College Connect Website

Click here for Parsippany College Connect Scholarship Application

Click here to email Parsippany College Connect Email (for inquiries/questions)

Click here to download Parsippany College Connect Scholarship Application

 

 

CCM Ranks in the Top 1.8 Percent of Community Colleges in the United States

MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) is ranked among the top 50 Best Community Colleges in the nation in the 2021 Academic Influence rankings. CCM is consistently listed among the best in New Jersey and now among the top 1.8 percent in the country.

Academic Influence generates rankings through its unique Influence Ranking Engine, scanning the web to map the impact of a school’s thought leadership across a variety of disciplines. Academic Influence is part of the Education Access Group family of sites dedicated to lifelong learning and personal growth.

Options are endless at CCM. Along with degree and certificate programs, over 165 transfer agreements guide students towards a bachelor’s degree. CCM also offers extensive professional development programs as a springboard for those looking for a new career or to level up in an existing one.

CCM is a leader in the changing landscape for students pursuing a college education. Ranking among the best in the country for  “Community Colleges Whose Graduates Earn the Most Money” and maintaining the number one spot on the “Best Community Colleges in New Jersey by Salary Potential” for four years, CCM is an excellent choice to build a future.

To learn more about CCM’s degree, certificate, and professional development programs click here.

Sudhan Thomas Offered Plea Deal in “Pay to Play” Case

MORRIS COUNTY — Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas pleaded not guilty after being indicted by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for allegedly soliciting $35,000 in cash bribes from a cooperating witness, who has since been identified as Matt O’Donnell.

Thomas, 45, was arraigned before Morris County Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor on Monday and entered a not guilty plea.

Thomas faces a four-count indictment accusing him of official misconduct, a pattern of official misconduct, bribery in official and political matters, and acceptance or receipt of unlawful benefit by a public servant for official behavior.

Also at the hearing, the state placed to offer their initial post-indictment plea offer on the table: in exchange for Thomas’ guilty plea to second-degree official misconduct, the state would recommend five years in state prison without the possibility of parole.

Furthermore, he would forfeit $10,000 worth of illicit proceeds, face a lifetime ban on public employment, and forfeit his pension.

Thomas is represented by Matthew Troiano, a former Morris County chief assistant prosecutor, and his initial case disposition conference currently is scheduled for May 3 before Taylor.

He was previously charged by complaint-summons in December 2019, where Attorney General Gurbir Grewal alleged that Thomas was preparing to run for Jersey City councilman in 2021 at the time of his conduct. Cases are pending against former Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman and Morris Freeholder John Cesaro, former Mt. Arlington Councilman John Windish, and former state Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell (no relation to Matt O’Donnell) of Bayonne. (Click here to read related article). On March 25, 2020, Cesaro was offered five years, with two years of parole ineligibility. Additionally, he would have forfeited the alleged bribe monies, paid anti-corruption penalties, and been barred permanently from public office or public employment, said Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.

Thomas was charged with accepting $35,000 in cash bribes from a cooperating witness, $10,000 delivered on one date, and $25,000 delivered on a second date, who has since been identified as Matt O’Donnell.

Thomas allegedly agreed, in return for the cash payments, to arrange for the cooperating witness to be hired as a special counsel for the Jersey City BOE – back when he was still the president of the board.

The remaining were indicted last month. Former Morris County Freeholder candidate Mary Dougherty last month pleaded to a downgraded charge of filing a false campaign report, in return for a recommended sentence of probation.

Attorney Elizabeth Valandingham

Matt O’Donnell law partner Elizabeth Valandingham faces state prosecution in an alleged scheme to dodge campaign finance laws to procure hefty municipal contracts.  Five of her relatives and friends also were charged as “straw donors” in that probe. (Click here to read related article). Also, click here to read the charges against the “straw donors.”

Breda’s Pizza and Grill Delivers Food to Seniors During COVID-19

Philippe Cardona

PARSIPPANY — When COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, the owners of Breda’s Pizza & Grill felt that there could be Senior Citizens and others that are impacted by the shutdown of services. 

Philippe Cardona flipping pizza dough

They reached out to the Parsippany Department of Health and Human Services who supplied a list of people with special needs. 

Since March 2020, the restaurant with the help of volunteers has delivered over 6,000 meals to the local community with all costs borne by the owner Veronique Breda.

Breda’s Pizza and Grill is located at 59 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034. They can be reached by calling (973) 331-9911.

For more information visit their website by clicking here. To donate through GoFundMe, click here.

18-year-old Nick Sherry made a video for Dave Portnoy and The Barstool fund to evaluate Breda’s Pizza in Parsippany NJ for the Barstool Fund to receive funding in helping this small business stay afloat.

Mikaila Ullal delivering food to area senior citizens
Some of the meals being prepared to be delivered to seniors and people with disabilities
Breda’s delivery employee 18-year-old Nick Sherry filmed a video for Dave Portnoy of The Barstool Fund