It’s official: In-person graduations can now take place

Frank L. Cahill
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It’s official: In-person graduations can now take place

MORRIS COUNTY — Reconsidering his ban on in-person graduation, Governor Phil Murphy finally decided to listen to New Jerseyans to allow in-person graduation ceremonies, albeit six weeks from now.

Assemblyman Jay Webber has been at the forefront of the “Let them walk” battle because he understands how important this milestone is for New Jersey’s high school seniors.

“It is good to see that Governor Murphy has arrived at the right answer on graduation ceremonies by finally reversing his irrational order against in-person graduations for our high school seniors,” said Webber (R-Morris). “Especially these days, when we all could use something to celebrate, high school graduations as we have come to know them can go on safely and the accomplishments of our state’s graduating classes can be recognized and honored appropriately.  In the process, so many of our 18-year-old citizens discovered that concerted public action – smartly, passionately and persuasively carried out – can achieve great things.  Our high school seniors deserve all the credit for fighting for this, which should make their unique graduation ceremonies even sweeter.”

However, Murphy’s seemingly arbitrary selection of July 6 for the start of the commencement season raised as many questions as it answered said, Webber.

“If ‘data determine dates,’ as the governor so often says, then he has failed to give any data to justify that July 6th is the right date for graduations,” continued Webber.  “It makes no sense.  Smart, properly spaced, in-person graduations can occur safely now, and should.  The governor can’t even let the kids walk without reminding everyone that his, and only his, preferences trump everything else.”

Public support for modified commencement ceremonies has been substantial.

Various online petitions to allow graduation ceremonies, including several started by students themselves, have amassed about 100,000 signatures.

A resolution (AR162) introduced by Assemblyman Jay Webber urging Governor Phil Murphy to allow high school graduation ceremonies garnered bipartisan support and sponsorship, including Assemblywomen Annette Chaparro (D-Hudson), Serena DiMaso (R-Monmouth), Aura Dunn (R-Morris), Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) and Jean Stanfield (R-Burlington), and Assemblymen John Catalano (R-Ocean), John DiMaio (R-Hunterdon), Christopher DePhillips (R-Bergen), Jamel Holley (D-Union), Greg McGuckin (R-Ocean), Ryan Peters (R-Burlington), Erik Peterson (R-Hunterdon), Kevin J. Rooney (R-Bergen), Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth), and Hal Wirths (R-Sussex).

Letter to the editor: Soriano Set to Raise Taxes Over 6% during COVID-19 Pandemic

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

While reading Parsippany Focus’ article on May 23rd titled “Parsippany Introduces 2020 Budget” and looking at the pages of the budget, Mayor Soriano is set to increase our taxes in a record amount of over 6%.

To make this even worse, Mr. Soriano is doing this while the COVID-19 pandemic leads to historic job losses an unemployment rate surges to 15.3%. This is according to the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development as of today.

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.

It looks like Mr. Soriano is taking AT LEAST $2,100,000 from the sewer surplus and $450,000 from the water surplus. Even with going against what he said about taking surplus money from these accounts during election time, our taxes are set to increase like never before.

What is confusing about this article is that it says the “Township Council” voted to introduce the 2020 Township budget. With all the telephone calls, articles of mail that we received and in-person visits at our homes and at our houses of worship during election time, Mr. dePierro, Carifi, and Mrs. Gragnani all stressed how important it was to elect all three of them to the council otherwise Mr. Soriano was going to raise taxes, let alone over 6%.
We are hoping this is a misprint and that the people who promised us during election time will help protect us and vote against this massive record tax increase especially during a pandemic.

Please keep in mind that this is also at a time where Mr. Soriano is making the members of Lake Parsippany pay an assessment fee for living in the lake area even if you do not use it.
Where is Mr. Peluso, Mr. Valori, and Mr. Barberio during this critical tax hike? They were all, and some still are leaders of our community. Please don’t abandon us now because it’s not an election year. This is the time where every Parsippany resident needs your help.
Since the Council meetings are online and the people cannot appear in person and voice their frustration, we are recommending exactly what each of these Council people did and do to all of us during election time. So, please either email them, call the respective telephone numbers that were found on the internet or mail them a letter and ask them to explain why and how they can do this to us during unprecedented times.
Thank you.

1) Council President Mr. Mike dePierro, 5 Fernwood Place Parsippany, NJ 07054. 973-263-3333
2) Council Vice President Mrs. Loretta Gragnani, 11 Rhoda Ter., Parsippany NJ, 07054. 973-335-8796
3) Councilman Paul Carifi Jr., 35 Robin Hood Road, Morris Plains, NJ 07950. 973-993-9117
4) Councilwoman Janice McCarthy, 67 Jaime Court, Morris Plains, NJ 07950.
973-625-3916
5) Councilwoman Emily Peterson, 26 Old Parsippany Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 718-501-3250
6) Mayor Michael Soriano, 8 Norman Avenue, Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034. 973-541-9983

Riddhi Shah
Rajendra Patel
Lake Parsippany Residents

Memorial Day 2020 – Like No Other

Frank L. Cahill
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Memorial Day 2020 – Like No Other

PARSIPPANY — This year’s Memorial Day is unlike most of us have ever known, and hopefully unlike any of us will see again.

We are commemorating this solemn day dedicated to the people who gave their lives for American liberty at a time when our nation is facing the most destructive economic and social dislocation since the Great Depression of the 1930’s.

Like the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the coronavirus blindsided America with the psychological and economic impact of a military invasion We were caught off guard…all of us. But we did not crumble. We are fighting back, and we are winning.

Like the young soldiers who throughout our nation’s history went off to war to defend freedom, we have embraced sacrifice and suffered casualties during the pandemic. Today our front-line soldiers are nurses and doctors in hospitals and people working nursing homes. Our troops today include the people who keep our supermarkets open, maintain our food supply train, produce medicines, and educate our children.  They answered the call to duty, as we all have.

This response is no accident. The civic DNA of America stems from generations of soldiers, sailors, pilots, and nurses who put their lives on the line to fight tranny around the world. They believed their duty was not to themselves, but to their country and their countrymen. That DNA, that heroism that we commemorate on Memorial Day has been passed down to us today – and we all the better for it.

The spirit of Memorial Day lives with us this year, even if the traditional ceremonies are absent. There will be no parades, fewer ceremonies, and limited celebrations this year. Social distancing is the order of the day now. But no amount of distancing and precautions should cause us to forget to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We can honor them this Memorial Day by working together to defeat the viral enemy that has taken so many lives, destroyed businesses, and disrupted families.

And let us remember too that wars and sacrifice are not eternal. Just a few scant months ago the U.S. economy was booming; unemployment was at an all-time high; people were prospering, companies were hiring, wages were increasing and dreams were being realized.

We can get there again. We will get there again. Because the American Spirit cannot be defeated!

Enjoy Your Memorial Day
BettyLou DeCroce

Memorial Day Ceremony Streaming Online at 10:00 a.m.

Frank L. Cahill
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Memorial Day Ceremony Streaming Online at 10:00 a.m.

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills hopes that everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather this Memorial Day Weekend. Be sure to join at 10:00 a.m. (May 25) as we share our Memorial Day Celebration & Commemoration.

You can view the live stream here or you can also tune in to Public Access Channel 21, Facebook, or YouTube to be part of this important tradition. Live streams will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will run every hour on the hour on public access television.

Here in Parsippany, we are proud to continue the tradition of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Front Line Morris Has Meals Available To Anyone In Need

Frank L. Cahill
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Front Line Morris Has Meals Available To Anyone In Need

PARSIPPANY — Front Line Morris has available 200 dinners available and over 250 lunches to be given out to anyone that needs lunch or hot dinner for Memorial Day. The meals were donated by Randy Grieco from Sterling Affairs Catering and Events.

The meals are available on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day), from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pick up the meals at Par-Troy Little League East, located at 10 Eileen Court (Off Vail Road)  Proceed behind Northvail School and up the hill, to the parking lot at the Little League. You can either park in the lot or drive down the hill to the concession stand for pickup.

Drew University Hosts Virtual Commencement

Frank L. Cahill
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Drew University Hosts Virtual Commencement

MADISON — Drew University held a virtual Commencement ceremony full of Drew pride to send off the Class of 2020.

More than 1,000 people checked in throughout the event, watching the live stream or viewing in one of several watch parties, and filled the live chat with congratulations, emojis, and plenty of exclamation points.

President MaryAnn Baenninger began the festivities via Zoom before giving way to recorded greetings and speeches from Javier Viera, vice provost and dean of the Theological School, William W. Landis III C’85, chair of the Board of Trustees and Debra Liebowitz, Provost & Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies.

Student speakers Pooja Manhas C’20, Jessica Brandt G’20, and Ama Aidoo T’20—representing each of Drew’s three schools—delivered spirited addresses to their classmates.

Provost Liebowitz encouraged virtual cheers. The Forest heard, and responded. President Baenninger honored the 2020 Teachers of the Year, Brianne Barker (CLA), Kathie Brown (Theological School), and Kristen Turner (Caspersen).

Following a symbolic conferral of degrees, a full roster of graduating students scrolled up the screen as faculty and staff offered shoutouts and words of congratulations, inspiration, and gratitude.

Speeches from Madison Mayor Robert Conley, Board of Trustees member Michelle Hampton C’85 and Bishop John R. Schol gave way to a celebratory tossing of confetti and playing of the alma mater to close out the ceremony.

Sunrise Movement Morris County Endorses Charlie Baranski

Frank L. Cahill
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Sunrise Movement Morris County Endorses Charlie Baranski

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County hub of the national Sunrise Movement has thrown its support behind Charlie Baranski’s campaign for Morris County Freeholder. “We know first hand that Charlie is ready to fight for all of us in Morris County on the freeholder board. Charlie understands that climate change is affecting and will continue to affect every aspect of society. He is committed to bringing bold progressive change to our county and always puts people over profits.” said its members in a statement endorsing Baranski.

“Morris County and Northern New Jersey is an epicenter of the climate crisis,” said Baranski in accepting the endorsement and outlining his environmental priorities. “Our waters and natural resources are suffering, and warmer summers have poisoned Lake Hopatcong, driven up our flood and fire insurance costs, and made it more expensive just to live as we always have. As we prepare for more extreme heat this summer, we need to vote for a genuine climate champion who can stand up for Morris County residents and resources against those who seek to develop or sell off our county parks, or discount the destructive effect the climate crisis has on our residents.”

Sunrise’s endorsement is their first in a county-level race in Morris County and the first of any environmental group in the July 7th Democratic primary for Freeholder. You can learn more about Mr. Baranski’s campaign by clicking here.

Mr. Baranski helped to found the Morris County hub last year and remains a member. He fully recused himself from the whole of the endorsement process, as did hub coordinator Ms. Samantha DiFalco, who holds a position on Mr. Baranski’s campaign.

Front Line Morris and Bednar Landscaping Cleans Pool at St. Peters

Frank L. Cahill
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Front Line Morris and Bednar Landscaping Cleans Pool at St. Peters

MORRIS COUNTY — Rob Zwigard and Teddy Stanziale, volunteers from Front Line Morris, along with Bednar Landscape Services, Inc. worked very diligently in cleaning up the pool and tuning the filter at St. Peters Orphanage.

The pool hasn’t been open for the adolescent boys for the past few years due to a lack of maintenance of the pool and surrounding area.

Front Line Morris is looking for additional volunteers to help in the final steps of getting the area in shape for the summer months. If you are interested in participating in this or other Front Line Morris volunteer opportunities please email Stanziale01@gmail.com.

To donate to Front Line Morris GoFundMe fundraiser, click here.

St. Peter’s Orphanage is located at 170 Diamond Spring Rd, Denville.  (973) 627-0212.

St. Peter’s Orphanage is a residential treatment facility for adolescent boys, whose parents, for a variety of reasons are unable to care for them. Their boys have mild to moderate emotional, behavioral or social problems Although St. Peters is a residential facility, they work very hard to assure our residents an atmosphere that is truly non-institutional, and more like a large family.

St. Peter’s Orphanage is always looking for donations. Donation Line proudly accepts vehicle donations for St Peter’s Orphanage. We have towing agents in all areas of the United States ready to pickup your car donation ASAP. Non-Running, junk, and salvage cars are also accepted. In addition to auto donations we accept donations of boats, trucks, RVs, motorcycles, jet skis, snowmobiles, planes, and real estate. Click here for more information.

There are many volunteer opportunities for schools, businesses, community organizations, and individuals at St. Peter’s Orphanage. The residence is set on nine acres and houses more than sixteen young men so they can always use landscaping assistance and contracting type maintenance/upgrades in the plumbing, painting, electrical, heating/cooling, and carpentry areas. Community organizations/groups and schools can volunteer time with grounds clean up, smaller-scale on-site projects, fundraising for specific needs related to the residents (e.g., camping/sporting equipment, clothing or furniture, etc.). Corporate sponsorship is another way local, state, and national/international business can improve both the quality of life for these young men and the facility they live in.

St. Peter’s Orphanage also has a wish list that can be ordered directly from Amazon. Click here for more details.

Parsippany Introduces 2020 Budget

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Introduces 2020 Budget

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted to introduce the 2020 Township Budget, on Tuesday, May 19. The final budget will be voted during the June 16, 2020 (rescheduled) Township Council meeting.

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic Council Meetings will be held via a web conferencing program named ZoHo.  This program will allow the public to listen to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only.

Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to participate they must fill out the registration information using their real name and address, anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.  (Note: Parsippany Focus will update this article with the link to access the meeting)

Click here to download a copy of the 2020 Introduced Budget.

Senate Accepts Pennacchio Call for Special Committee to Investigate COVID-19 Crisis

Frank L. Cahill
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Senate Accepts Pennacchio Call for Special Committee to Investigate COVID-19 Crisis

MORRIS COUNTY — State Senator Joe Pennacchio thanked Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. for allowing the formation of a special committee to investigate the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Pennacchio released the following statement:

“I echoed the same concerns and desires articulated by the Senate President and Republican Leader Kean in today’s announcement. The focus of our committee must be a factual review of what has happened to date, what should not have happened, and how we can make it better going into the future.

“I would hope the Senate would vote to form this committee, with subpoena powers, as soon as possible. I would also hope the committee, like Governor Murphy, will hold its meetings in Trenton, in the People’s House, for all to see.

“The special committee must be able to work in real-time to share its concerns and determine how we can open up our economy and return to normalcy. It must determine how we can better safeguard the lives of our most vulnerable citizens living in long term nursing facilities.

“To that end, I stand prepared to begin work and I challenge the Senate to construct and enable this committee as soon as possible.

“On behalf of the citizens of New Jersey who want answers, I thank the Senators Sweeney and Kean for their leadership.”

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