PARSIPPANY — We need to keep our foot on the gas in our fight against COVID-19. As always, you can keep up with the day-to-day numbers on the Morris County coronavirus tracker page by clicking here.
Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Partners with Free Naloxone Distribution Initiative
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announces that starting September 24 through September 26 participating pharmacies across Morris County will be making naloxone (“NARCAN”), which is an opioid-overdose reversal drug, available for free and without a prescription or appointment, to anyone requesting the same.
Inquiring individuals, who can remain anonymous, will be entitled to one naloxone pack containing two doses, on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is part of a statewide initiative sponsored by the State of New Jersey.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Attorney General S. Gurbir Grewal, the Office of the New Jersey Coordinator for Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies (NJ CARES), and the New Jersey Department of Human Services are sponsoring this free naloxone program throughout the State of New Jersey. This is the second such distribution, a part of the State’s continued efforts to combat the opioid crisis. In June 2019, residents received 32,000 doses of naloxone.
Those who obtain naloxone will also be given information regarding addiction treatment and recovery through Reach NJ, a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week addictions hotline where people who have Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or friends and family of people with SUD can get immediate assistance and support from live, New Jersey-based, trained addiction counselors. Live staff members are available by calling the toll-free number, 844-ReachNJ (732-2465).
The participating pharmacies in Focus readership are:
Acme Pharmacy, 550 Myrtle Ave., Boonton
ShopRite Pharmacy of Greater Morristown, 178 East Hanover Avenue, Cedar Knolls
Towne Pharmacy, 103 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls
Sav-On Pharmacy, 329 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains
For a full list of participating pharmacies click here.
Associate Director Melody Runyon of Prevention is Key (PIK) said “Naloxone is invaluable when it comes to giving those with an opioid use disorder another chance to find a life of recovery. Ready availability is key. As a result of Morris County’s Narcan 2.0 and law enforcement Administration of Naloxone, Prevention is Key/CARES Peer Recovery Specialists have responded to nearly 700 overdoses at county hospitals with 473 individuals accepting recovery support services. Without naloxone, these individuals would never have had this opportunity to change their life.”
Township Council Meeting Tonight
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its regularly scheduled council meeting Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 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 for the council meeting agenda.
- Click this link to access the meeting.
- Click this link for a step-by-step guide on registering to attend the council meeting.
- Click on this link for a step-by-step guide on joining the council meeting through WebEx.
For more information, please contact the Township Clerk’s office at (973) 263-4351 or email pthclerk@parsippany.net.
Lakeland Hills Family YMCA Welcomes New President
MOUNTAIN LAKES — A leader in health and wellness and community service, the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA has appointed Alejandro (Alex) Martinez as its new President and CEO effective Monday, September 14.
Its outgoing CEO, Dr. Vik Joganow, has retired after leading the esteemed organization for the past seven years.
With over 25 years of management experience in nonprofit, government, youth development, and healthcare organizations, Alex’s comprehensive background spans strategic planning and execution, operations management, program development, community outreach, and government relations.
Most recently the Chief Operating Officer of the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, Alex was responsible for the executive leadership of several key departments that included Program Services, Membership, Customer Care, Volunteer Services, Administration, Property, and Finance representing $9.1 million in total revenues, over 26,000 members and 13,000 adult volunteers. He led the implementation of a growth strategy that fundamentally changed the operations of GSNNJ, introducing new technologies and methods of engagement for girls, volunteers, and families.
Additionally, Alex led much of the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alex’s extensive professional background includes Chief of Staff at the United Way of New York City, where he created a five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening the organization in all areas. He also worked in the political arena as Director of Constituent Services and Policy Analyst with a member of the New York City Council. This position instilled deep regard for social conscience, inspired by working with individuals who were dependent on government services.
His expertise in the community relations, financial development, and operational sectors was honed by executive positions with the NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation/Bellevue Hospital and the American Museum of Natural History. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration & Economics from Fordham University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbia University. Alex understands the Morris County community, as he is a Board Member of the Head Start Community Program of Morris County and serves with the Denville Rotary.
He is a resident of Mount Tabor along with his wife and two sons. A passionate distance runner, Alex has completed nine marathons and is looking forward to his tenth!
The combination of Alex’s experience, drive, and commitment to the mission and work of the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA makes him the ideal person to lead the Y into the future. About the Y Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide.
Letter to the Editor: Please Vote for John Titus and his Running Mates
Dear Editor:
I have known John Titus for the past several years. We are peers, and we are friends and I do not use the term ‘friend’ lightly. It has been my experience that friends are hard to come by; some people will say they help whenever needed, but do not. However, John will be there when he is called upon. John is diligent, prudent, temperate, and discreet.
When I first met John, he had a quiet presence, observing and learning all that was going on around him. Soon thereafter, John would make suggestions on various different events or fundraisers, and, if any crisis came about, with a level head, he would offer and see a solution to its fruition.
John possesses leadership qualities and has the fortitude to see them enacted. He is kind and compassionate, yet reserved, and has an ability to make friends quickly and easily wherever he goes. He has a great sense of humor but knows his bounds not to offend anyone.
As a long time, Parsippany resident, I definitely feel that John Titus would bring value to the Parsippany Board of Ed, and I highly recommend him for the position.
Please vote for John Titus and his running mates, Aisha Mahmood and Nilesh Bagdai, 4-5-6 For Parsippany BOE.
Marc Davis
Parsippany
Trump Rallies Attract Hundreds
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, September 12, hundreds of Trump supporters participated in two rallies to support Trump and the Republican Party.
Event organizer Beth Figueira, a Mount Olive resident, began organizing the event after the first rally was publicly advertised. The first rally organized by Harry Martin brought hundreds of supported followers gathering along Route 46 at the Baldwin Road Intersection.
“This is the most important election I have been involved in,” Figueira said. “I wanted to bring people together.”
Justin Musella, 29, President of the Morris County Young Republicans, delivered the first speech at the rally held at Veterans Park. Musella, a senior business development manager for an international corporation, stressed the importance of the upcoming elections.
Before an estimated crowd of around 1,000, Musella stated “I stand before you today to deliver a message that every single person needs to hear; you must vote, you must get your family to vote, and you must get your friends to vote. A future where the Democrats win has never been scarier and if they win it will not be ‘mostly peaceful.’ The time for arguing is over and the time to act has come.”
After Musella, several other guests of honor spoke, including Parsippany-Troy HillsCouncil President Michael DePierro, 11th District Congressional Candidate Rosemary Becchi, and 9th District Congressional Candidate Billy Prempeh. Parsippany Republican Committee Chairman Louis Valori began the ceremony with opening remarks and the pledge of allegiance.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Michael dePierro told the crowd “Trump has kept his promises and needs the full support of the “silent majority” that helped elect Trump in 2016. That means a straight down the ticket Republican vote.” “We need to fill the Congress and the Senate with Republicans that will work with him,” dePierro said. This will “help Make America Great Again,” he told a cheering crowd.
Down the road at the intersection of Baldwin Road and Route 46, Harry Martin’s rally was also attended by hundreds to supporters. Route 46 was open to one lane of traffic (eastbound) as passers-by honked their horns at the crowds displayed their signs. A large number of supporters left Veterans Park and joined the rally on the corner of Route 46 and Baldwin Road, which ended around 4:00 p.m.
A small group of anti-Trump protesters organized on the opposite corner on Route 46 West, in front of Walgreens. Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and Morris County Sheriff’s Officers, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad and Parsippany Volunteer First Aid Squad was spread out at both locations keeping the attendees safe.
Musella’s entire speech:
How great is it to see an event where everybody stands for the national anthem?
As the Chair of the Morris County Young Republicans, as a millennial, and most importantly as an American, we as a nation face the most important election in our country’s history. The full measure of the consequences that the outcome of this election bears on all of our futures cannot be overstated. If you feel like me—then you know what it feels like to be sick and tired of being sick and tired! Since March we have seen the most violent form of the Left take hold of the Democratic Party, all in the name of progressivism, social justice, and diversity.
When in reality, all that has meant for us is that we have seen statues to American heroes smashed, our most treasured cities looted and pillaged, and worse yet, the Left has declared war on the American police force. There can be no misunderstanding of their intentions since the effect of their actions is only destroying our culture, heritage, and sacred values. How many burdens like this can the greatest country in history endure before it no longer has the capacity to?
I stand before you today to deliver a message that every single person needs to hear; you must vote, you must get your family to vote, and you must get your friends to vote. A future where the Democrats win has never been scarier and if they win it will not be “mostly peaceful.” The time for arguing is over and the time to act has come. It cannot be any clearer of the contrasts between our two parties. To prevent further rot and decay, the only answer is we have to elect Republicans all the way up from President Trump and down.
I never thought I would be standing before you all as a young Republican and speaking in terms as dire as this but these are the times we live in. The last best chance we have in saving our country from being overrun is to ensure that we control the White House, the Senate, retake the House of Representatives, and win at the local level. Our only reward if we fail to vote in November is that the Democrats will achieve a victory so harmful—that the soul of this country will be permanently damaged. We have the power to make sure that this does not come to pass! If the whole of us votes in November we can make sure our voices are heard loud and clear that we want law and order, that we want the madness to stop, and most importantly, we want to remind the world that the ONLY privilege that exists in this world is to BE an American.
dePierro’s Celebrate 60th Anniversary
PARSIPPANY — Michael J. and Dolores M. (Lopardi) dePierro are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married on September 17, 1960, at St. Catharine’s Church in Pelham, New York. Because of the pandemic, and in the interest of safety, they have decided to delay any celebration until a later date.
The couple moved to Parsippany in 1965 when Mike accepted a position with Bell Telephone Laboratories. Mike retired from the Bell System as a Systems Manager after 30 years of service.
He then worked for the State of New Jersey for eight years as Manager of Telecommunication Billing.
Mike has served Parsippany as an elected official for over 42 years. He served for six years on the Parsippany School Board and has served for the past 36 years as a Township Councilman. He has also held leadership roles in numerous organizations and committees. Mike earned an Electrical Engineering Degree in 1970 from Fairleigh Dickenson University. Mike’s Air National Guard unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and is a life member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 10184 and the American Legion Post 249.
Dee graduated from Manhattan Medical and Dental Assistants School in 1960. She worked in the Hematology Department at New Rochelle Hospital. After moving to Parsippany, she worked for many years as a Medical Assistant for Dr. Larry Schuster and as an Administrative Assistant for the Ravin Sarasohn Law Firm. She served as Legislative Aide to State Senator Leanna Brown for 8 years. She also served as an Administrative Assistant at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Summit for over 18 years. Politically, Dee has been the wind beneath Mike’s wings for all of his political life.
Mike and Dee raised their three children in Parsippany: Richard dePierro and his wife Toni of Manalapan; Jeanette Blodgett and her husband Jon of Jackson Township; and Therese dePierro of Hopatcong. They have been blessed with ten grandchildren.
Par-Troy East Little League Wins 2020 District 1 Championship
PARSIPPANY — Par-Troy East Little League boys took on Madison for the 2020 District 1 Championship in Game 5 and won 7-4.
The boys lost the first two games in Madison 11-7 and 10-9 then won game three 9-8 in extra innings and Game Four 9-4 at Jannarone Park.
A coin flip after game four won by Par-Troy East determined the deciding game five would be held at Jannarone Park where they came back from an early 1-0 deficit to win 7-4.
They are on to the Final Four single elimination for the State Championship on September 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Berkeley Township (South Jersey). They would like to see all Parsippany residents attend and show their support. A possible Championship Game would be September 27.
Players: Nick DePietro, Sy Gosh, Andrew Vasquez, Landon Weiss, Jason Intrabartolo, Andrew Niedermaier, Derek Furfaro, Dominic Rocco, Michael DelViscio, DJ Obrien, Aaron Morton. Manager: RJ Orr Coaches: Paul Furfaro and Vince DelViscio.
Letter to the Editor: Saddened to learn Beth Am will be Selling their Property
Dear Editor:
I am saddened to learn Beth Am will be selling their property.
I have had so many positive experiences throughout the years attending special Friday night services that featured M.L.K. Jr. remembrance programs and Holocaust-related speakers, Edwin Black, author IBM, and the Holocaust, and Harry L. Ettlinger, one of the Monument Men, a group of men given the task of reclaiming stolen artwork to their rightful owners. Harry, a Morris County resident, and I keep in contact and I will always cherish our conversations.
Thank you, to the congregation of Beth Am for opening your doors to the Parsippany community with the hope your Temple will continue with the enlightenment programs in your new home.
Roy Messmer
Former Parsippany Resident
What is Sweet and Heavenly that Makes Everything Better?
PARSIPPANY — What is sweet and heavenly that makes everything better? Sundae! Like the classic dessert, this two-year-old Pit Bull mix is as sweet as can be!
Sundae is a spunky, fun girl who will keep you on your toes. She would be great in a home with kids of 13 and up and she is also dog-friendly (males only).
Nothing makes Sundae happier than being in your company, specifically cuddled up in your arms. She is a true love bug that will cover your face in kisses and make sure your lap is always warm!
She loves receiving any affection you have to offer and will return the favor in double! Sundae loves being active and playing.
Sundae is working on her house training and leash training in her foster home. She cannot live with cats. She does well in the crate but at night prefers to be in bed with you or in her doggy bed.
Sundae will certainly add some sweetness to your life.
If you are interested in adopting Sundae, please fill out an application by clicking here.
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