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Letter to the Editor: Parsippany’s Outrageous Tax Increase

Letters to the Editor

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May 28, 2020

Dear Mayor Soriano:

Putting politics aside, I strongly object your introduction of a 6.1 percent tax increase to the residents of Parsippany during a pandemic. If you proceed, this will be one of the most historical and poorly thought out decisions you have made since you became Mayor of the most populated town in Morris County.

All one has to do is drive around town to see how catastrophic the effects of the pandemic are on Parsippany’s economy. Parsippany has had several hundred residents who were sick or passed away from the Corona Virus. Senior citizens have been without food. Residents have lost their jobs. Businesses have been permanently closed. Construction sites have come to a halt leaving workers unemployed and projects unfinished. There is no doubt that many businesses will file tax appeals. This will lead to an even greater hardship on Parsippany tax-payers who will bear the brunt of that cost.

It is time for tough decisions on spending. All families will have to do that in the month or years ahead.

It is imperative that you go back to your budget and make some deep cuts. Since the largest part of any municipal budget is the payroll and associated benefits, I suggest you start with your direct, post-election hires. A Director of the PAL does not need salary and benefits of $150,000 per year. A Chief of Staff does not need to earn over $100,000 per year. In addition, there are legal bills that are skyrocketing due to litigation that you promised to settle.

Please go back to your council members with a budget that has more expenses reduced and tax rates held to a maximum of 2%.

Sincerely,
Lou Valori

Editors Note: According to public records, the Chief of Staff earns $73,000 per year and the PAL director earns $110,000.

Affordable Child Care is Increasingly Difficult to find as Murphy Slowly Lifts Shutdown Orders

Local News

Frank L. Cahill

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May 28, 2020

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Affordable Child Care is Increasingly Difficult to find as Murphy Slowly Lifts Shutdown Orders

PARSIPPANY — Many families have been scrambling to either do without child care or to try to find alternative care so they can work. Assemblyman Brian Bergen and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce urged Gov. Phil Murphy to immediately open daycare facilities across the state.

“Businesses are starting to open and with more openings forecasted in the next several weeks, we have to start to address child care,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Working parents need time to plan and enroll their children so they can get back to work as soon as possible.”

Daycares, preschools, and child-care providers nationwide are facing a tough road as they attempt to provide safe, quality care to children while navigating the ever-changing challenges posed to their businesses. And, experts say that many providers may not make it.

Murphy has allowed a handful of centers to remain open for children of essential workers throughout his shutdowns. Now that demand is likely to increase, those who were not initially granted an exception are being shut out of the market.

Many child care providers worry they may never be able to reopen.

“It was suggested that PPP loans would be forgiven if we employed our staff and used it to pay our rent,” said MaryEllen Soriano, owner of Morris County EduCare. “We did our part but now we might not even have a chance if we can’t reopen in time. At this point, we would have to reopen by June 1 just to have a chance to meet those commitments.”

Not acting decisively to help the industry could have dire consequences said Bergen.

“Child care is expensive to operate, yet families are largely left to pay for it themselves while providers eke out a living on meager profits,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “The economics are fragile even in good times. When a crisis like this hits, it is devastating. Some should not be open and while others cannot.”

In mid-May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finally issued guidance (which still defers largely to local guidelines) to help child care centers, as well as camps, restaurants, bars, and other operations, decide if they can safely reopen.

The two lawmakers also announced a plan with more than 30 small-business owners from Morris County last week that outlined a road map to open businesses safely and immediately.

New Jersey Department of Education Provides Guidance on Commencement Ceremonies

Frank L. Cahill

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May 28, 2020

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New Jersey Department of Education Provides Guidance on Commencement Ceremonies

MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) released guidance regarding commencement ceremonies to honor 2020 graduates during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The guidance outlines three options for K-12 school commencement ceremonies: 1) virtual; 2) drive-through/drive-in, or 3) modified in-person outdoor ceremonies. Decisions about the most appropriate type of ceremony for each school community will be made locally, in consultation with municipal officials. At this time, only virtual ceremonies are permitted. Beginning July 6, 2020, drive-through/drive-in and modified in-person, outdoor ceremonies will be permitted subject to the requirements set forth in the guidance. These ceremonies must comply with the social distancing protocols and the limitations on in-person gatherings that are in place when the ceremonies are held.

Some critical factors for districts to consider if they are holding either a drive-in/drive-through or a modified in-person ceremony include:

Staff limits: Schools should limit the number of staff members to only those required to facilitate the commencement ceremony;
Sick individuals: Sick individuals should not attend. NJDOH and CDC guidelines can provide direction for those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Districts should discourage attendance if a visitor or someone in their household is experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness or if they have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Schools should consider screening visitors upon arrival with non-contact thermometers and excluding any person with a temperature exceeding 100.4 °F;
Equity: Districts are encouraged to ensure that graduation ceremonies are inclusive and accessible for all students and families. Accommodations should be made for families that may not be able to attend in-person;
Certification to the DOE: School districts that plan to hold a drive-in/drive-through or modified in-person ceremony must certify to the Department of Education, via an online submission form that will be made available on June 5, 2020, that their planned ceremony will comply with applicable requirements for gatherings, including those addressing social distancing. The form must be submitted no later than seven days prior to the scheduled date of the ceremony.

Modified In-Person Graduation Ceremonies

In addition to the above considerations, the DOE guidance addresses a number of factors for districts to consider in the planning of modified in-person graduation ceremonies, including:

Local review: School districts should plan ceremonies in consultation with municipal officials (local law enforcement, local health officials, etc.);
Location: Modified in-person commencement ceremonies must take place outdoors. Indoor ceremonies are not permitted. Open-air rain tarps, tents, and other outdoor structures may be used only to protect against foul weather or for shade;
Attendance: Schools may consider limiting the number of guests or holding student-only commencements. Ceremonies must meet the relevant capacity limitation on in-person gatherings in place at the time of the ceremony;
Social distancing: Attendees must remain six feet apart at all times, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners. Schools should consider using tape or other materials to demarcate six feet of distance between students and attendees while standing and walking, and ensure that all seating for students, guests, and staff allows for six feet of distance between persons;
Multiple ceremonies: Districts should consider class size and available space to determine the number of ceremonies needed. Districts should follow CDC and NJDOH protocols for cleaning in between ceremonies and consider holding ceremonies over the span of several days;
Duration: Districts should consider limiting the length of ceremonies to shorten the time students and attendees are exposed to each other. Districts should also limit speakers and live performances and avoid the sharing of microphones or other equipment that may pose a health risk;
Entrances/exits: Districts should assign staff to monitor entrances and exits to prevent congregation and consider staggering arrival times to ease crowds at access points. If possible, districts should utilize multiple entrances and exit points;
Face coverings: In accordance with CDC recommendations, attendees should wear face coverings (except for children under two or in cases that would inhibit a person’s health); and

In addition, to limit person-to-person contact, districts should provide diplomas and caps/gowns to students in advance of graduation ceremonies. Programs, maps, and other documents can be emailed or mailed to families before the ceremony. Sharing or exchanging materials of any kind poses an increased risk of transmission/spread of COVID-19 and should be avoided. Chairs and other equipment should not be shared and should be sanitized before and after use.

Drive-Through and Drive-In Commencement Ceremonies

Drive-through and drive-in commencement ceremonies can be held in school parking lots, drive-in movie theaters, stadium parking lots, or other large parking lot venues that provide sufficient space to accommodate event attendees arriving in their cars. Projection screens or sound equipment may be used to allow school staff to call student names, display photos or videos, and provide other audio-visual support.

Some of the major factors involving drive-through and drive-in ceremonies include:

Drive-through and drive-in commencement ceremonies must comply with all requirements of Executive Order 142 (2020), or the rules or requirements for vehicular gatherings that are in place at the time of the ceremony;
Accommodations should be made to allow families without vehicles to participate while adhering to social distancing protocols;
If allowing access to restrooms, take appropriate measures to prevent congregation and consult with health officials on disinfection protocols;
Multiple ceremonies may be needed depending on class size;
Consider potential broadcasting of the ceremony or otherwise making a live stream available for family members unable to attend; and
Organizers or others assisting with the event, and who are not in closed vehicles, must follow all applicable Executive Orders and Administrative Orders and must wear face coverings, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health.

PHHS’s Todd Ricker Part of NJSIAA COVID-19 Sports Task Force

Frank L. Cahill

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May 28, 2020

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PHHS’s Todd Ricker Part of NJSIAA COVID-19 Sports Task Force

PARSIPPANY — NJSIAA has established the COVID-19 Sports Advisory Task Force, a group of athletic directors from across the state who will consider a wide range of sports-specific proposals and recommendations with a focus on implementing, executing and enforcing potential modifications. This announcement follows by one week the NJSIAA’s formation of its COVID-19 Medical Advisory Task Force, which will identify and implement both general and sports-specific modifications.

These two task forces will work independently, but communicate regularly and provide ongoing counsel to each other. Both will make recommendations to NJSIAA leadership, which will then work within governmental and NFHS (National Federation of High School Sport) guidelines to manage the safe return of high school sports in New Jersey.

The Sports Advisory Task Force will be chaired by Rutherford High School Athletic Director and former NJSIAA President Dave Frazier. It will also include Denis Nelson, River Dell High School athletic director; Kevin Murphy, Washington Township High School athletic director; Ryan Miller, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School athletic director; Vito Chiaravalloti, Christian Brothers Academy athletic director; Dan Uszaki, Northern Burlington Regional High School athletic director; and Todd Ricker, Parsippany Hills High School athletic director. Tom Mullahey, Clifton High School athletic director, will serve as the NJSIAA Executive Committee liaison, and Colleen Maguire, NJSIAA Director of Finance and Administration, will serve as the NJSIAA liaison.

“More than anyone else, athletic directors want to see a safe return to high school sports,” Frazier says. “But, we also clearly understand the significant challenges ahead. I’m confident we’ll make tremendous progress and optimistic that we’ll see kids playing again before too long. But, it’s essential to manage expectations and prepare our student-athletes – as well as those who cheer them on – for the short-term changes that may be necessary.”

“Input from our peers will be essential as we try to navigate the various guidelines, the needs of our members’ schools, and the concerns of our student-athletes,” added Mullahey.

About the NJSIAA
Established in 1918, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization comprised of 436 accredited public, private, and parochial high schools. A member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the NJSIAA conducts tournaments and crowns champions in 32 sports. Championship competition for girls is sponsored in basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, and volleyball. Boys’ championships are determined in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, volleyball, and wrestling.

Parsippany Community Update May 27, 2020

Frank L. Cahill

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May 27, 2020

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PARSIPPANY — The Internet is not a municipal utility, and the Township has no say in repairs or service. In discussions with Optimum and Verizon, they have indicated that the fastest way to get repairs done is by contacting their customer service departments. Internet Service Providers Customer Service Numbers:
Verizon FIOS: (800) 922-0204
Optimum: (866) 950-3278
Earthlink: (888) 327-8454
Viasat: (844) 299-1950
Hughesnet: (866) 641-8709

Letter to the Editor: Response to Chip Robinson

Letters to the Editor

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May 27, 2020

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parsippany focus Dear Editor:

I write in response to my Democratic counterpart Chip Robinson’s knock on Senator Pennacchio attending the freedom rally in Pt. Pleasant on Sunday. And I respond with respect as I like Chip a great deal!

I ask Chip and his fellow Morris County Democrats – where is the moral outrage at your Democratic Governor and his neglect of our elderly victims trapped inside nursing homes left to die? They were left alone without the comfort and grace of the family around them. Our fatality rates in the state would be less than half of what’s reported if policies and attention were paid to the most vulnerable instead of forcing the healthy into perpetual house arrest.

This is not about the lack of ability to get a haircut or attend a ball game. To trivialize the freedom movement of business owners and families that want, and need, to go back to work is a travesty.

There are many more victims from this pandemic than those only stricken with the virus. There are people who have no ability to provide food and shelter for their families because their jobs or businesses have been eliminated.

It will take several years to tally the total number of deaths, bankruptcies, layoffs, suicides, mental health problems, losses to the GDP, and other costs attributable not just to the virus, but to the measures used to fight it.

The failure of many Democrats across the county to understand this reality is perhaps the greatest reason why they are and will remain, the minority party in Morris County.

It’s time to right the ship. It’s time to speak up and out and protect our liberty. We are Americans. We are eagles, not ostriches. It’s time to soar.

Most respectfully,
Laura Marie Ali
Chairwoman of the Morris County Republican Committee

Barbarula Appointed Co-Finance Chair For MCRC

Local News

Frank L. Cahill

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May 27, 2020

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Barbarula Appointed Co-Finance Chair For MCRC

PARSIPPANY — John Barbarula has been appointed to Co-Chair of the Finance Committee at Morris County Republican Committee (MCRC). He will be leading the Finance Committee with Craig Heard, the current MCRC Finance Chair, and help raise necessary funds to run the MCRC Campaign machine and operation.

John is a successful attorney owning a practice in Butler. He has been a Special County Counsel for 21 years. For 40 years he supported Republicans from Mayors to Senators in their campaigns

He is married for 35 years to his wife Joan and they have two grown children, Melanie and Michael.

“I am so grateful and excited that John has agreed to be Co-Finance Chair for MCRC. Shortly after his race for Assembly, he volunteered to help the party right away. His plan to unify Republicans went into motion when he hosted our first ‘Pasta and Politics’ event last August which was very successful. He’s a great person and an extremely smart man and we are lucky to have him!” said Acting Chair Laura Marie Ali.

Letter to the Editor: Democratic Chairman Chip Robinson: A Letter to Senator Pennacchio

Letters to the editor

Letters to the Editor

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May 26, 2020

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Dear Editor:

I’m writing to express my strong disagreement with the decision of State Senator Joseph Pennacchio and others to hold a political rally down at the shore on Memorial Day. At the outset, it should be noted that I am a constituent of Senator Pennachio’s, and a Morris County resident, which is why my comments are directed at him specifically.

On what should be a day where we honor our fallen from wartime, and on a day when we should be remembering the nearly 100,000 who have died from the recent pandemic, including more than 10,000 in New Jersey, State Senator Pennachio was leading a partisan political rally against our Governor.

At the rally, some alleged that the 100,000 dead are “fake news” and that the numbers are overinflated. Since this crisis started, an acquaintance from my high school lost her husband, a friend of mine in the Michigan legislature died from the disease, another friend of mine lost her younger brother, and two friends of mine lost their fathers in nursing homes. Several of the victims were in their 40s. it is not fake news. These are real people who have lost their brothers, sisters, spouses, and parents from this virus.

The Governor and those who believe in science have no doubt seen the data, that 10% to 15% of those infected require hospitalization from their infection and that over 1% die after infection. In-state of 9 million, if slightly more than half the people got the COVID virus, that would mean 5 million infections, 500,000-750,000 hospitalizations in New Jersey alone, and 50,000 to 75,000 deaths in our state.

I am grateful that the Governor has taken the drastic actions that he has taken, as his actions have no doubt saved lives and are based upon the best available data and science that he and the rest of our state government have about the disease.

We absolutely must have a robust system of testing, contacting tracing the contacts of those who have test positive, with isolation and treatment for those with the disease. That’s what the epidemiologists and scientists tell us. It is clear that opening it up and pretending we are back to normal without the appropriate measures in place is a recipe for the mass spread of the virus and sadly mass death.

I appreciate the fact that businesses that are non-essential want to open and are hurting. But opening them before we are ready to do so will mean fewer customers if people don’t feel it is safe, and likely to lead to a second lockdown. I too want a haircut and want to go to a baseball game. But I’d rather have long scraggly hair than have someone lose their mother or their spouse because I accidentally gave them the virus at a barbershop or a baseball game.

At a time when the leadership from the White House has been slow, inept, inadequate, and guided by anything but science and data in dealing with this crisis, I am grateful to live in a state where science and math still rule the day.

Sincerely,
Chip Robinson
Chair, Morris County Democratic Committee