Edward Mosberg Raises Flag: A Symbol of Freedom For All

Frank L. Cahill
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Edward Mosberg Raises Flag: A Symbol of Freedom For All

PARSIPPANY — Holocaust Survivor Edward Mosberg, 94, held a flag-raising ceremony at Powdermill Heights Apartments. Attending the event was Mayor Michael Soriano; Council President Michael dePierro; Major Brian Polite, New Jersey State Police; Port Authority Officers; Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers; Rabbis; Friends; and Mr. Mosberg’s two daughters, Caroline and her husband Darren Karger and Louise Levine, along with his grandchildren. Rosemary Becchi, candidate for Congress in the 11th District, was also in attendance.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano addressing the audience
At the ceremony, Mr. Mosberg was presented with an award in honor of the late Cecile Mosberg from the Chabad House
Port Authority Police Lt. Arnott, Sgt. Terranova, Officer Corrine and Officer Bergery with Mr. Mosberg
State Trooper Major Brian Polite, of the Office of Community Outreach and Public Affairs, raised the flag along with Mr. Mosberg and Darren Karger

“My name is Edward Mosberg. I am a Holocaust survivor. My wife of 72 years, Cecile Mosberg of blessed memory, was also a Holocaust survivor. We know what an American flag is. We were liberated from the German concentration camps by American soldiers who were carrying an American flag. These soldiers sacrificed their lives to liberate the prisoners from the German occupations. The prisoners were of all different backgrounds and this did not make a difference to the liberating American soldiers. For this reason, we should not forget the American flag which represents freedom. We must honor the American flag because it gave the prisoners, including me and my wife, our freedom back,” said Edward Mosberg.

He continued “It is now my honor, and if my wife were here with me now, it would be her honor as well, to raise the American flag. I now raise this flag not only in memory of those prisoners who were liberated by American soldiers who were carrying an American flag but also in honor of those American soldiers who sacrificed their lives to give freedom back to the prisoners of war. It is my honor to salute the American flag, a symbol of freedom for all. God bless America and God bless you all.”

Ed Mosberg With His Family

Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing Personal Care Service Facilities to Open

Frank L. Cahill
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Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing Personal Care Service Facilities to Open

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 154, allowing personal care service facilities to reopen to the public on Monday, June 22 at 6:00 a.m., provided the facilities comply with standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and Department of Health.

“We’re able to confidently announce this important step in our restart and recovery because the health metrics tell us we can,” said Governor Murphy. “With the proper health and safety protocols in place, personal care business owners who are anxious get back to serving their customers and communities will have the opportunity to do so.”
Under the Governor’s Executive Order, personal care service facilities include:

1.     Cosmetology shops;
2.     Barbershops;
3.     Beauty salons;
4.     Hair braiding shops;
5.     Nail salons;
6.     Electrology facilities;
7.     Spas, including day spas and medical spas, at which solely elective and cosmetic medical procedures are performed;
8.     Massage parlors;
9.     Tanning salons; and
10.  Tattoo parlors.

The Division of Consumer Affairs issued an Administrative Order that includes comprehensive health and safety standards that personal care services who are licensees of the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy must abide by. Safeguards include:

1.     Limiting services to appointment-only;
2.     Performing health screening, including temperature checks, on clients and staff prior to entry to the facility;
3.     Requiring the use of personal protective equipment, and requiring clients to wear face coverings at all times, regardless of the service they are receiving, unless face down on a massage table or where doing so would inhibit an individual’s health;
4.     Ensuring that all staff-client pairs maintain at least six feet distance between other staff-client pairs, unless separated by physical barriers;
5.     Adopting enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices; and
6.     Staying informed about new developments and guidance related to COVID-19.

The Order further directs the Commissioner of the DOH to issue health and safety standards for use by tattoo parlors, tanning salons and other locations in which personal care services are offered by individuals who are not acting within the scope of a license issued by a professional board within the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Nothing in the Order shall prevent the provision of services to a person that is confined to their home and unable to travel due to a disability, if these services 1) are permitted under existing statutes and regulations and 2) are provided in a manner that substantially complies with standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and DOH.DOH issued an Executive Directive today that includes comprehensive health and safety standards for these locations.

Cosmetology schools or other places that provide instruction and training for personal care services shall remain closed at this time.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 154, please click here.
For a copy of the Division of Consumer Affairs’ Administrative Order, please click here.
For a copy of the Department of Health’s Executive Directive, please click here.

Lakeside Refrigerated Services Recalls Beef Products

Frank L. Cahill
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Lakeside Refrigerated Services Recalls Beef Products

MORRIS COUNTY — Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw ground beef items were produced on June 1, 2020. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

1-lb. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020, and lot code P-53934-28.
3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature click here.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact the Lakeside Processing Center Call Center at (856) 832-3881.

Littleton Elementary School Moving Up Ceremony

Frank L. Cahill
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Littleton Elementary School Moving Up Ceremony

PARSIPPANY — Littleton Elementary School Moving Up 2020

Juliana Eoga Collected Cards and Letters for “Healthcare Heroes”

Frank L. Cahill
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Juliana Eoga Collected Cards and Letters for “Healthcare Heroes”

MORRIS COUNTY — In honor of her “Quarantine Sweet 16” Juliana Eoga, a full-time student at the Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Academy at the Morris County School of Technology, Denville, collected cards and letters for the “Healthcare Hero” staff members at The NJ Fireman’s Home in Boonton and Care One of Hanover, one NJ’s few full COVID-19 facilities.

Throughout the month of May, Juliana received over 250 cards from 10 states across the USA. She chose to honor the workers at these two facilities because both are very special to her.

Also, in honor of Juliana’s special birthday, Rev. Karen Gazzillo of Kinnelon sent cookies and copies of The Fireman’s Prayer to the Newark Fire Department.

The Fireman’s Prayer

Juliana is a Captain of the Boonton High School Varsity Cheer Team, a volunteer for Night to Shine, a Time to Care Volunteer with the VNA of Northern NJ (during COVID-19), and a junior volunteer member of the Boonton Kiwanis Ambulance.

Juliana is the daughter of Michael and Adriane Eoga, sister of Jenna Eoga and granddaughter of Theresa and Jack Selesky and Rita and Tony Eoga.

Juliana Eoga

Lacey Ann Anderson Graduates Pre-K; Moving Up to Knollwood School

Frank L. Cahill
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Lacey Ann Anderson Graduates Pre-K; Moving Up to Knollwood School

PARSIPPANY — Lacey Ann Anderson graduated from Learning Garden Academy and will be attending Knollwood School in September. Today she celebrated with a drive-by Pre-K Graduation COVID-19 celebration.

Lacey is the daughter of Paul and Elise Caitlin Anderson.

The Anderson Family

GAF and Interfaith Food Pantry Partners Held Drive-Thru Farmers Market

Frank L. Cahill
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GAF and Interfaith Food Pantry Partners Held Drive-Thru Farmers Market

PARSIPPANY — GAF, who recently partnered up with Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry (IFP) held a drive-thru farmers market at their headquarters in Parsippany on Friday, June 12. The drive-thru farmers market was open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

GAF Proudly Supports Interfaith Food Pantry

After suspending its free farmers’ markets during the onset of COVID-19 due to lack of space the Interfaith Food Pantry (IFP), which serves Morris County partnered with GAF to provide fresh produce for more than 500 households by creating a drive-thru farmers market.

Tim Lockwood, Vice President Interfaith Food Pantry and Morris County Freeholder Steve Shaw

North America’s largest roofing manufacturer transformed its Parsippany campus into a community assembly line where volunteers placed groceries and fresh produce directly into the trunks of IFP clients’ vehicles to maintain safe social distancing.

Andy Hilton, Chief Communications Officer GAF; Carolyn Lake, Executive Director of Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry and Jim Schnepper, President of GAF

Carolyn Lake, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry said “Finding a new and creative way to reopen our free farmers market will help fight hunger and improve the health and well-being of thousands of people across Morris County. Thank you to all of our supporters and to GAF for helping provide a safe environment that helps restore a sense of normalcy for our clients.”

“We’re happy we could help put our space to good use and support our neighbors through the Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County. Fighting hunger continues to be a challenging issue affecting many homes across the U.S., especially amid the ongoing pandemic, and we’re glad we could help re-establish this service to provide fresh produce to people in need of healthy food options,” said Jim Schnepper, President of GAF.

Volunteer bringing in cases of produce for families in need

IFP has already distributed more than 500,000 pounds of food this year, serving 8,000 families. The number of new families requesting assistance from the Interfaith Food Pantry has increased by 300% from the same period last year. Increased awareness and support of the free farmers market can make a significant impact in restoring a sense of normalcy for hundreds of households.

The Interfaith Food Pantry is the largest provider of supplemental and emergency food in Morris County. As a non-profit, 501(c)(3) community-based organization, they provide food, nutrition education, and related resources to residents during times of need. The organization distributed over 1.2 million pounds of food in 2019, serving over 33,000 people, primarily low-income working families and senior citizens living on fixed incomes.  For more information click here. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please call (973) 538-8049, ext. 210.

The large-scale, free drive-thru farmers market for households in need of healthy, fresh produce- complete with rows of tents and a refrigerated box truck to store perishables
Nearly 500 families benefited from the first free drive-thru farmers market hosted by the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry in partnership with GAF, North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer
The large-scale, free drive-thru farmers market for households in need of healthy, fresh produce- complete with rows of tents and a refrigerated box truck to store perishables

More homes and businesses in the U.S. are protected by a GAF roof than by any other product. We are the leading roofing manufacturer in North America, and as a Standard Industries company, GAF is part of the largest roofing and waterproofing business in the world. For more than 130 years, people have trusted GAF to protect what matters most in their daily lives.

Today, GAF has more than 3,700 employees working in over 25 communities across the U.S. GAF’s focus on Protecting What Matters Most includes an ongoing commitment to strengthening the communities where it operates by bringing together its time, talents and financial resources to work hand-in-hand with its employees, local leaders, and non-profit organizations. The company’s proactive community engagement efforts focus on powering the potential of these shared communities. For more information about GAF click here.

GAF President, Jim Schnepper, packs fresh produce for families during a free drive-thru farmers market held in partnership with the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry at the roofing manufacturer’s headquarters. Photo by Jason DeCrow /AP Images for GAF
The large-scale, free drive-thru farmers market for households in need of healthy, fresh produce- complete with rows of tents and a refrigerated box truck to store perishables
Families in need receive produce from the first free drive-thru farmers market hosted by the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry in partnership with GAF at the roofing manufacturer’s headquarters

Supreme Court Approves Post-Pandemic Plan

Frank L. Cahill
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Supreme Court Approves Post-Pandemic Plan

TRENTON — Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and the Supreme Court have approved a plan for the gradual resumption of certain in-person court events, as recommended by the New Jersey Courts Post-Pandemic Planning committees.

The plan outlines the precautions being implemented before court buildings are opened for any in-person proceedings in any court.

While criminal jury trials will remain suspended, the following criminal matters may, consistent with Supreme Court guidance, be handled in person:

• Completion of suspended jury trials with the consent of all attorneys and parties and approval of the Chief Justice
• Sentencings
• Guilty pleas
• Final Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) hearings where there is no consent to proceed remotely
• Violation of monitoring
• Violation of probation for defendants in custody

The precautions also include requirements for the public and judiciary employees to wear masks in non-private areas and to maintain social distancing. Members of the public should not come to court unless they have been notified that a matter has been scheduled.

Letter to the Editor: Political Hype The Don’t Tax “Me” cry..For a Few Dollars more.

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

From a recent letter by Riddhi Shah, Mayor Soriano is set to increase our taxes in a record amount of over 6%. Really?

During election time, Mr. Soriano criticized other administrations for taking money from the sewer and water surplus in order to balance the budget. But, as I along with other members from our temple read the budget, Mr. Soriano is no different from the previous administrations that he was so vocal against.

When all else fails in issues that really count in situations we face as a society; we turn to what is best for me; instead of all of us. We must however begin with the very system itself with its built-in unfairness especially in the realm of taxation; for example, corporate offshore havens and laws that allow wealth to go proportionately less taxed; than wages for example. Allowing material acquisition and money hoarding for its own sake, possession of money beyond reason instead of organizing it for necessary things, like required infrastructure or a new energy conversion; and green new jobs; sponsored by yes; government.

When the powers now controlling DC fail to give to the States of the United States, and rather use our tax dollars for foreign corporate interventions to extract others wealth and destroy indigenous cultures or undermine their governments which would resist this, we see the system for what it is, an abuse of power of wants, not needs.

Perhaps Mister Shah should start a movement to have his temple and all so-called religious institutions to join the tax collective, and make their fair share to the common; or better yet the common good. We face a system of injustice, lacking in civic virtue. A nation can not be based on individual freedoms and privileges for the few against the many. What good is religious freedom; when economic equity or justice is lacking?

Mr. Shah; you must not have read Councilwoman Janice McCarthy’s rebuttal and letter to the editor printed in June; or is it she is from an opposing political party?

It’s not an exaggeration to ask how the town recovers an estimated $9M of its operating revenue that was replaced with utility surplus without raising taxes, fees, or cutting expenses.

Also misleading were statements made suggesting increased ratables impacted revenue to support a zero tax increase.  While increasing ratables $27million was an accomplishment, it was significantly insufficient to budget a zero tax increase. If it was it shouldn’t have been necessary to supplement revenue with $3.2million in utility surplus that year.

Finally after praising the benefits of aggressively using the utility surplus to balance the budget for 6 years, now apparently in 2018 and 2019, it is no longer good policy. Encouraging the town to take steps to more aggressively reduce taking surplus.

I assume is made with the understanding the greater the reduction in using utility surpluses means replacing those funds from other sources like taxes, fees, and/or cutting expenses. If there is some other source to replace the reductions in the utility surplus please enlighten me.

Municipal finances are complicated and making broad statements are both misleading and often inaccurate as they were last week.

One more thing, it was also misleading to use Mayor Letts budgeting a zero tax once in 11 years to support depleting millions in utility surplus to supplement millions in revenue. It’s a mischaracterization of Mayor Letts’ record.”

Lastly consider this fact the last administration incurred unjust and fabricated legal bills Ingelsino Law Firm in the Carifi matter. This same law firm allowed a grassroots successful endeavor to be sabotaged; Waterview. RD developers walked away with $3.7M in local open space funding for a buffer zone. Ingelsino Law Firm is now refusing to pay portions of this legal fee which is incurred on Parsippany taxpayers.

The last tax municipal tax proposal to pay outright for need water infrastructure would cost the “average homeowners” $3.46 (thereabouts). It was refused in addition 11-jobs were lost. When we see the collective impact of what we can do if we stick together as a community; you’re talking coffee money.

Lastly consider this; our sanitation tipping fees because of lack of source separation of materials in now nearly $2M. We are all dragged down by those who do not practice discipline. Is this fair to those in the community that does? So Parsippany accepts the impacts of corporate franchise waste products; with little voice from sources like Mr. Shah; or others mentioned in his letter.

Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha NJ 07034

Grewal Outlines Process for Revising New Jersey’s Use of Force Policy

Frank L. Cahill
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Grewal Outlines Process for Revising New Jersey’s Use of Force Policy

MORRIS COUNTY — Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal outlined plans for revising New Jersey’s “Use of Force Policy,” which governs when the state’s 36,000 law enforcement officers may—and may not—use force against civilians. As part of that process, Attorney General Grewal announced that his office has launched an online portal for public comments and will be organizing community listening sessions in all 21 counties.

On June 2, 2020, Attorney General Grewal first announced his intention to revise the Use of Force Policy, the first update in two decades. The initiative is part of the Attorney General’s Excellence in Policing Initiative, a sweeping set of policing reforms launched in December 2019 to promote the culture of professionalism, accountability, and transparency that is the hallmark of New Jersey’s best law enforcement agencies.

“The Use of Force Policy affects everyone, and so everyone should have the opportunity to weigh in on its revisions,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We want to hear from a broad cross-section of our state: police officers, civil rights advocates, religious leaders, victims’ rights organizations, and community members. We especially want to hear from those that have had negative experiences with law enforcement officers because we are committed to getting this right. By engaging residents across New Jersey, we will ensure that the updated policy reflects New Jersey’s values.”

The public comment portal, available by clicking here, will accept submissions through August 1, 2020. The portal allows residents to submit comments about any aspect of the Use of Force Policy, but specifically requests input on topics that will be discussed as part of the revision process, including:

Specific tactics designed to subdue a subject (e.g., chokeholds, neck restraints, strikes to the head and face, use of police dogs);

  • Engaging subjects with serious mental illness or substance abuse issues;
  • Exhausting all other reasonable means (e.g., verbal warnings) and pursuing de-escalation before resorting to deadly force;
  • Applying force proportionate to the subject’s alleged conduct (e.g., limiting the use of force when the subject has committed a non-violent offense);
  • Less-than-lethal uses of force (e.g., bean bag shots, rubber bullets, disabling netting);
  • Duty to intervene when another officer engages in excessive use of force;
  • Firing a weapon at a moving vehicle;
  • High-speed car pursuits;
  • Reporting and training requirements; and<
  • Any other proposals that reduce the risk of injury and death to civilians while maintaining the safety of police officers.

In addition to the online portal, the revision process will include community listening sessions in all 21 counties. Each of New Jersey’s County Prosecutors will host an in-person or virtual event to obtain the public’s view on police use of force, and these views will be shared with the Attorney General as part of the revision process.

To kick off these statewide listening sessions, Attorney General Grewal will host an online forum on June 24, 2020, to discuss New Jersey’s current Use of Force Policy and describe some of the revisions under consideration. The Attorney General will be joined by Jonathan Parham, who previously served as the Chief of the Linden Police Department and now serves as the Director of Countywide Police Policy, Planning, and Training at the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. Attendees can register for the online event here.

Unlike in other states, where policing reform often occurs in a patchwork fashion at the local level, in New Jersey, the Attorney General has broad authority to issue statewide policy documents known as “law enforcement directives,” which are binding on all law enforcement agencies and all 36,000 state, county, and local law enforcement officers. In recent years, Attorney General Grewal has used this authority to issue a number of significant directives, including the:

  • Independent Prosecutor Directive (AG Directive 2019-4), which established a ten-step process for conducting independent investigations of officer-involved shootings and other serious use-of-force incidents;
  • Officer Resiliency Directive (AG Directive 2019-1), which created a first-in-the-nation statewide program to promote the psychological and mental resiliency of law enforcement officers; and
  • Internal Affairs Directive (AG Directive 2019-5), which overhauled the internal disciplinary process for police departments;
  • Immigrant Trust Directive (AG Directive 2018-6), which limited the types of voluntary assistance that state, county, and local law enforcement officers may provide to federal civil immigration authorities.
  • LGBTQ Equality Directive (AG Directive 2019-3), which established rules for law enforcement interactions with transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals;

Each of these directives was drafted in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders.

Attorney General Grewal has stated that he intends to issue a law enforcement directive revising the Use of Force Policy before the end of 2020.

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