Letter to the Editor: “1-2-3 for BOE!”

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

Very soon you will receive your ballots in the mail, and one of the important votes you will cast will be for the Parsippany Board of Education.

Let me tell you about the 3 incumbents: Matt, Debbie, and myself. We have over 15 years of Board of Education experience and have the honor of serving the Parsippany Troy-Hills community. We have been and continue to be active Parsippany community members. Whether we are volunteering as marching band parents, soccer coaches, and little league coaches, attending town council and planning board meetings, school musicals and dramas, school concerts, or special community events, we do not limit ourselves to attending two Board of Education meetings a month.

We did not one day say, “Let’s run for the Board of Education.” You would have found us attending Board of Ed meetings prior to this decision, participating, asking questions, and understanding how a board worked. For Matt, Debbie, and I “Pride in Parsippany’ is more than a marketing catchphrase. As members of the Board of Ed, we have worked extremely hard to make sure we reflect the values associated with instilling “Pride in Parsippany.” Here for you are just a few of our accomplishments:

· Participated in the hiring of the new Superintendent of Schools.
· Helped develop a district strategic plan.
· Being fiscally responsible by balancing our responsibility to taxpayers and assuring student achievement.
· Worked within the states mandated 2% cap on school tax increases.
· Participated In approving the shared services agreement between the Board of Education and the Parsippany Police department.
· The Safety and security of our students and staff – Physical and building processes.

We are truly living in unprecedented times with Covid19, distance learning, and new developments coming to Parsippany. You will need Board members with the township dedication, experience, and leadership of Matt DeVitto, Debbie Orme, and Tim Berrios. Remember Vote “1-2-3 for BOE!”

Timothy Berrios

Governor Murphy Extends COVID-19 Emergency Order Another 30 Days

Frank L. Cahill
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Governor Murphy Extends COVID-19 Emergency Order Another 30 Days

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy extended the public health emergency and related restrictions on activities in New Jersey, which were first put into place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic under an executive order he issued on March 8, 2020.

Executive Order No. 186 extends all executive orders previously issued by the Governor under the Emergency Health Governor Murphy Extends COVID-19 Emergency Order Another 30 DaysPowers Act.  The new order also extends all actions taken by any state executive branch departments and state agencies in response to the public health emergency declared due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under the state’s Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 186, click here.

Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi explains the Vote by Mail Process

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi explains the Vote by Mail Process

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi explains the Vote by Mail Process.

Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi advises Morris County voters that Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #177 signed on August 14 mandates significant changes to the November 3rd General Election because of COVID-19 Public Health concerns.

Like the July 7 Primary Election, the General Election will be conducted primarily by mail-in-ballot, with limited polling locations open for voting on paper provisional ballots only. According to the Governor’s Executive Order, the following will happen:

1. All registered active voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot by mail on or before October 5. Similar to the Primary Election, the County Clerk’s Office will provide a postage-paid envelope to return the mail-in-ballot. No stamp is required.

2. Voters may return their completed mail-in ballot to the Board of Elections through the following methods: a) by mail through the USPS, b) through the use of 10 drop boxes located throughout Morris County, which will be established by the Board of Elections, c) in-person delivery to the Board of Election Office, or d) by submitting their own ballot in-person at their assigned 2020 General Election polling location.

3. Sample ballots will not be mailed to voters for the General Elections. However, in lieu of a Sample Ballot, a card containing the voter’s polling location and other pertinent information will be mailed to each voter.

4. A limited number of polling places established by the Board of Elections will be available for voters on November 3.

5. Voters who go to their polling location to vote and have not voted by mail will be permitted to vote only on a paper Provisional Ballot.

6. Ballots that are returned in person or via a dropbox must be received by the Board of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and will be considered valid and shall be canvassed, provided that they meet all other statutory requirements.

7. Ballots that are mailed and postmarked by Election Day and received by the Board of Elections no later than 8:00 p.m. on November 10 will be accepted and canvassed provided that they meet all other statutory requirements.

8. Voters whose ballots are rejected by the Board of Elections for a missing or discrepant signature shall be given the opportunity to cure the signature defect. Voters can check the status of their returned ballots by using the NJ Division of Elections’ by clicking here.

Click here to read the full Executive Order #177 for detailed information.

Video: Par Hills vs Morris Knolls High School Varsity Football Scrimmage

Frank L. Cahill
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Video: Par Hills vs Morris Knolls High School Varsity Football Scrimmage

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School vs Morris Knolls High School Varsity Football Scrimmage, September 25, 2020. Final Score 22-13

Video: Par High Varsity Football Scrimmage vs Butler High School

Frank L. Cahill
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Video: Par High Varsity Football Scrimmage vs Butler High School

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School Varsity Football Scrimmage vs Butler High School, September 26, 2020. Final score 33-0

Parsippany Motorcyclist, 31, Dies After Striking Guardrail

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Motorcyclist, 31, Dies After Striking Guardrail

PARSIPPANY— A Parsippany man died Friday night after the motorcycle he was riding on Interstate 80 struck a guardrail, authorities said.

John Nicholson “J.J.”, 31, was traveling in the eastbound lanes in Wharton about 11:30 p.m. when he ran off the left side of the highway near milepost 33.6, crashed, and was ejected, according to New Jersey State Police.

Nicholson was pronounced dead at the scene.

A GoFundMe account was set up by Christine Vanderyajt and Keith Vanderyajt and you can donate by clicking here.

 

A Message from Council President dePierro Regarding Council Meetings

Frank L. Cahill
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A Message from Council President dePierro Regarding Council Meetings

PARSIPPANY — On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a Pandemic. A pandemic is defined as “an epidemic occurring worldwide and affecting a large number of people”. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus, which is spread mainly from person-to-person.

Shortly after the WHO announcement, Governor Murphy implemented Executive Order No. 104, announcing “Aggressive Social Distancing Measures to Mitigate Further Spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey”. New Jersey basically came to a stand-still.

There is still currently no vaccine to prevent the disease, and for the past six months, restrictions have been rather severe. Those restrictions have been slightly loosened, but not much. As of September, indoor gatherings must be limited to 25 people or 25% of a room’s capacity – whichever number is lower. All attendees at indoor gatherings must wear face coverings and stay six feet apart.

Because of the Pandemic and the Governor’s mandate, in the interest of public health and safety, all Township Council meetings have been virtual. We still have a virtual public portion at each meeting that allows all members of the public to speak, so no-one is deprived of their right to speak.

Is it now time to return to in-person Township Council meetings? If we did, under the latest mandate, the (5) Township Councilmembers, the Township Clerk, Attorney, Mayor, Business Administrator, and the Chief Financial Officer would take up the Dias and the first two rows in the front. That would leave room for approximately (19) visitors. Any more than that and we would have to cancel the meeting. I have no problem going back to public meetings, however, the Council majority has opted to err on the side of caution and remain virtual for the month of October.

If in the meantime, the Governor opens the State completely, The Township Council would immediately go back to public meetings.

Michael J. dePierro
Council President

Baldwin News Fined in COVID-Related Consumer Protection Violation

Frank L. Cahill
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Baldwin News Fined in COVID-Related Consumer Protection Violation

PARSIPPANY — Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced actions against a dozen merchants for consumer protection violations related to COVID-19, with penalties totaling tens of thousands of dollars, including a Parsippany business.

Among those subject to enforcement actions are two North Jersey businesses that allegedly made false or unsubstantiated claims in the sale of COVID-19 antibody tests and a Monmouth County business that was selling face masks at as much as six times the manufacturer’s retail prices.

These actions are the latest of many taken by the Division to address the unprecedented number of consumer complaints and referrals received during the current public health emergency.

To date, the Division has sent 1,884 cease and desist letters to retailers suspected of price gouging and other unconscionable business practices during the coronavirus pandemic and issued 110 subpoenas seeking additional information in its investigations of alleged violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, we made clear that we would take a tough stand on price gouging and other abuses of New Jersey consumers,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Enlisting the help of residents to report unconscionable practices works. Most businesses are following the law. For those that are not, these actions are a reminder that the penalties for violations are significant.”

The Notices of Violation (NOVs) filed in this latest round of enforcement actions carry individual penalties ranging from $500 to $12,500, depending on the severity and number of violations.

The single largest civil penalty was assessed against Performance Supply LLC, for allegedly making false and misleading statements in advertising N95 mask respirators for sale to personnel from the New York City Office of Citywide Procurement. The Division alleges that the company’s quote misleadingly suggested the company is an authorized dealer or distributor for 3M Company and offered to sell seven million face masks that retailed between $1.02 and $1.31 for $6.05 and $6.35 each.

Retro Fitness of Rockaway was assessed a $2,000 civil penalty for allegedly making unsubstantiated claims related to antibody testing made available to club members via a health and wellness center affiliated with the club.

In Parsippany, News Plus, 138 Baldwin Road was assessed $500 in civil penalties for their alleged failure to post selling prices for merchandise such as bottled water, toilet paper, and sanitizers, a violation of the Merchandise Pricing Statute. (Click here to review complaint).

Consumers who suspect consumer fraud violations, or believe that businesses have unfairly increased their prices in response to COVID-19, are encouraged to file complaints online to report specific details related to the increased prices. Photographs of items being sold, their price, and receipts can now be uploaded to our new price gouging complaint form.

17-Year Old Parsippany High School Student Selling Flagpole Setups

Frank L. Cahill
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17-Year Old Parsippany High School Student Selling Flagpole Setups

PARSIPPANY — 17-year old Parsippany resident, Clayton J. Bernauer, with the assistance of Parsippany High School classmates Fraidoon Pourooshasb, Nirbhav Talloju as well as his Lakeland Hills teammate Alex Vester are teaming up selling flags, complete with a pole and installation for $75.00.  All profits will be donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry.  In addition to donations, perishable food items are appreciated.

Living in such a chaotic time with facing COVID-19, protests, and political challenges, it is more important than ever to join together as a neighborhood, signifying how we are all in this together. 

The flagpole setup will be purchased and installed for $75.  The set-up can be mounted to the house, a tree, or a pole in the yard.

If interested in supporting this service project, contact Clayton J. Bernauer at (201) 919-1928 or email cjbernauer21@gmail.com.

Morris County Taxpayers Save $2.8 Million In Bond Refinancing Measure

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Taxpayers Save $2.8 Million In Bond Refinancing Measure

MORRIS COUNTY — Taxpayers will save an estimated $2.8 million under a refinancing plan announce by the Morris County Board of Freeholders this week that involves multiple bonds issued through the Morris County Improvement Authority.

The $2.8 million savings will be realized over the life of various bonds issued within the past ten years for multiple county and local projects. The refinancing is a prudent step undertaken to secure lower financing rates – similar to taxpayers refinancing a home mortgage.

Morris County freeholders and administrators have worked to maintain fiscal responsibility and continue the county’s coveted “AAA” credit rating, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The “AAA” rating is the highest possible credit rating assigned by financial rating agencies, and it enables the county and its 39 municipalities to secure the most cost-effective financing when bonding becomes necessary for capital improvements.

“This freeholder board has not only maintained the county’s triple AAA rating, but we have also strengthened it even in the current pandemic,” said Freeholder John Krickus. “As Standard & Poors commented in its Morris County rating report: ‘We view positively that the county started a (COVID-19) task force looking at longer-term economic and financial impact of the pandemic on the county’s finances.’ “

Freeholder Krickus was referencing a task force formed as part of an aggressive response undertaken by Morris County in early spring to keep the community safe from the virus and deal with emerging issues as the pandemic continues.

“Morris County has maintained a triple AAA rating, reduced debt, streamlined operations, frozen taxes, and balanced the budget without borrowing,” said Freeholder Krickus. “In contrast, the State of New Jersey has one of the lowest credit ratings in the country, continues to increase spending, increased numerous taxes and fees, and utilized $4 Billion in debt to balance an operating budget.”

Since the freeholders established the Morris County Improvement Authority in 2002, the agency has provided towns, school districts, and the county itself with innovative and cost-effective methods of funding public projects while saving tax dollars. Through the authority, towns have been able to borrow under the umbrella of Morris County’s “AAA” bond rating to finance local projects, such as purchasing equipment and vehicles or constructing local facilities, at lower costs thereby reducing the property tax burden on their residents.

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