Dinsmore announces first round of support: State Committeeman Casha, Former Chair Page and Former Freeholder Lyon all endorse

Frank L. Cahill
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Dinsmore announces first round of support: State Committeeman Casha, Former Chair Page and Former Freeholder Lyon all endorse

MORRIS COUNTY — Republican Leader Donald Dinsmore confirmed that he is indeed  a candidate for Morris County Freeholder.  “I am ready to use my experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors to benefit Morris County.” This announcement also comes with broad support from within the Republican Community.

Harding Township Mayor Christopher Yates stated “Don approaches every challenge intelligently and pragmatically, and he has helped his Town maintain its unique character, I know he can do the same for Morris County.”

Additionally, William Felegi President of the Jefferson Republican Club stated, “I have known Don for years, his commitment to improving our community and furthering the Republican cause is exceptional.”

County-wide Officials
Larry Casha, Republican State Committeeman
Hank Lyon, Former Morris County Freeholder
Patti Page, Former Morris County Republican Chair
Richard Wall, Former Morris County Undersheriff and Treasurer of Washington Township Republican Committee
James Barry,Former State Assemblyman

Local Officials & Activists
Marie Fragomeni, President, Boonton Republican Club
Doug Travers, Councilman, Borough of Butler
Bruce Harris, Mayor, Borough of Chatham
Len Resto, Councilman, Borough of Chatham
Curt Ritter, Mayor, Township of Chatham
Gene Fitzgerald, Former Councilman, Township of Denville
Kevin Scollans, Former Councilman, Township of Denville
Carol Spencer, Former Mayor and Councilwoman, Township of Denville
Susan Tietjan, Former Councilwoman, Township of East Hanover
Carmen Cefolo-Pane, Council President Borough of Florham Park
Christopher Yates, Mayor, Harding Township
Timothy Jones, Committeeman, Harding Township
Dev Modi, Committeeman, Harding Township
Nanette DiTosto, Committeewoman, Harding Township
Louis Lanzerotti,  Former Mayor and Committeeman Harding Township
Mike Flanagan, Republican Activist, Harding Township
William Felegi, Republican Club President- Jefferson Township and Former Vice-Chair Morris County Young Republicans
Jayson Kohut, Chairman, Jefferson Township Republican Committee
Jerry Stevenson, Former Republican Club President, Borough of Madison
June Witty, Councilwoman, Township of Montville
Lisa LoBiondo- Former President, Montville Republican Club
Jonathan Wright, Former Chairman, Morristown Republican Committee
Gene Paradiso, Republican Club President, Borough of Mount Arlington
Alex Roman, Councilman, Township of Mount Olive
Louis Valori, Chairman, Parsippany-Troy Hill Republican Committee, former Council President Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
Karen Jordan, President, Randolph Republican Club
Gregg Forsbrey, Committeeman, Township of Washington
Bill Wolgamuth, President, Washington Township Republican Club
Chris Gabbett, Millennial Republican Activist and Madison County Committee Member
Jordan Chester, Former Vice Chair Morris County Young Republicans

Please note: Statements of endorsement are in those individual’s personal capacity, and are not necessarily an endorsement of the organization which they represent.

My name is Chalupa and I’m a 4-year-old Chihuahua!

Frank L. Cahill
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My name is Chalupa and I’m a 4-year-old Chihuahua!

PARSIPPANY — Hi! My name is Chalupa and I’m a 4-year-old Chihuahua!

I was rescued from a municipal, open-admissions shelter in New York who took me in when my family could no longer care for me. But, don’t be sad for me, now I can find my forever family!

My name is Chalupa and I’m a 4-year-old Chihuahua

My foster family says I do great with other dogs, cats, and kids! I am potty trained and am crate trained! And, guess what? I already know some basic commands!

My favorite place to hang out is right on top of a pillow on my foster family’s couch. This way I am at optimal height to get pets. What can I say? My name really should be King Chalupa!

Chalupa

I love having fun playing with my furry foster siblings. I also enjoy getting some belly rubs and meeting new people. My absolute favorite thing is when my family throws a party. I get so excited I can’t even contain myself! I love being best friends with everyone. I’m a social butterfly!

While I am definitely a fun dog, I am by no means hyper. I Netflix and chill on the couch as good as any other pup! I am really a perfect dog who’s well-trained, fun, happy, and affectionate.

If you are interested in adopting Chalupa, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.

My foster family says I do great with other dogs, cats, and kids!

GOP offers minimum wage compromise with state sharing costs to increase after-tax income

Frank L. Cahill
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GOP offers minimum wage compromise with state sharing costs to increase after-tax income

MORRIS COUNTY — In a move toward a bipartisan wage hike, Republican Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco offered to help Democrats achieve higher take-home pay for minimum-wage earners without solely targeting employers.

“The business community is concerned about the ramp-up period,” explained Bucco (R-Morris).  “Assemblyman Hal Wirths and I put have put together a compromise that would raise the minimum wage over time to thirteen dollars an hour but increase the earned income tax credit to 80 percent.”

Bucco explained the plans while participating on a legislative panel with Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin at the annual NJBIA public policy forum last Friday.

Democrat lawmakers are pushing an increase in the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour for most workers by 2024 and for all workers by 2029 under a plan put forward by Coughlin.

The Republican proposal increases the minimum wage to $13 over five years (A4464) and immediately raises the earned income tax credit to 80 percent of the federal level (A4465).

The plan also doubles the employer deduction for compensation paid by small businesses with less than 100 employees (A4466) to reduce higher labors costs from raising the minimum wage.

Bucco also raised concerns with the Democrat plan not protecting workers and businesses alike if there is an economic downturn.

“There has to be some sort of mechanism to slow this down if in fact we go into another deep recession like we saw in 2008,” said Bucco.

The GOP plan freezes the minimum wage for 18 months if employment drops over a three- or six-month period.

Bucco also cautioned lawmakers that raising the minimum wage without indexing the state’s income tax brackets could punish low-income earners by offsetting the potential pay raise with higher taxes.  Bucco sponsors a bill (A1399) that would adjust income-tax brackets to inflation so taxpayers don’t face tax hikes as a result of cost-of-living raises.

“As our low-income earners begin to see an increase in their salary they get pushed into the next tax bracket where they are now earning less,” asked Bucco.

Twenty-three states index their income tax brackets to inflation, and the federal government has since 1986.  It is widely considered a bipartisan tax policy to protect taxpayers from automatic tax hikes.

Governor Joins Parsippany’s Earth Friendly Products to Support $15 State Minimum Wage

Frank L. Cahill
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Governor Joins Parsippany’s Earth Friendly Products to Support $15 State Minimum Wage

PARSIPPANY — Governor Phil Murphy today joined Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, the president and CEO of Earth Friendly Products®, maker of more than 200 ECOS® brand green cleaning products, at the company’s Parsippany manufacturing plant located at 50 Lackawanna Avenue, to support a $15.00 state minimum wage and demonstrate how the company’s investment in its employees is fundamental to its long-term business success. Earth Friendly Products, which has operated in New Jersey for 30 years, starts employees at $17.00 an hour and increased its investment in the state’s economy and environment by opening a Parsippany facility in 2015 that is carbon neutral and Zero Waste Platinum certified.

Governor Phil Murphy and Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano

Introducing Governor Phil Murphy was Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano. Soriano said “Parsippany is a great place to live, it’s also a great place to do business, even manufacturing. Earth Friendly Products takes care of its employees and worries about and takes cares of its environment. Right now, in the State of New Jersey if you work minimum wage for about 40 hours per week, for 52 weeks, no sick time, no vacation time you are going to make about $17,800 a year. That not a way to live. Think about that for one second. $17,800. I stand with Governor Murphy on promptly promoting our $15.00 minimum wage in the State of New Jersey. Our workforce deserves the same quality of living and standard that everyone enjoys. I am proud of Earth Friendly Products, with their line of ECOS products, operating right here in Parsippany. More money in employees pockets, means more money is being spending here in Parsippany, restaurants and retails stores. It’s going to boost our local economy and it’s going to help New Jersey. Contributing to a thriving small business culture.”

A Bronze Custom Portrait Sculpture of Kelly’s father, Van Vlahakis is displayed in the lobby of the Parsippany location

New Jersey legislators are considering legislation that would raise the state minimum wage to $15.00. Earth Friendly Products, a member of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, strongly supports raising New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15.00 an hour for all workers because it will boost consumer demand, benefit businesses in the form of lower employee turnover and increased employee productivity, and is vital to creating a sustainable economy.

“We know from our own experience that raising the minimum wage to $15.00 will help businesses and employees thrive,” Vlahakis-Hanks said. “We start employees at $17.00 an hour and provide great benefits while selling our products at competitive prices. Investing in our employees has improved our profitability, productivity, employee retention, quality control, customer satisfaction and ability to innovate and grow. Our products are produced in our U.S. facilities in New Jersey, California, Illinois and Washington state. We’re proud to say that our employees are our greatest brand ambassadors.”

ECOS® brand laundry detergent, household cleaners, baby products and pet products are sold at competitive prices in outlets ranging from small retailers to giants like Costco, Walmart and Target. Established in 1967, Earth Friendly Products attributes its decades of success to investing in employees, as well as breaking barriers in green science.

“A $15 minimum wage will not only lift up the current generation of New Jersey working families, but ensure fairness and opportunity for future generations,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “For the more than one million New Jersey workers who earn less than $15.00 an hour, the Legislature needs to act immediately to provide working families with the raise they need to live secure lives. A $15.00 minimum wage is integral to building a stronger and fairer New Jersey.”

Vlahakis-Hanks sees a fair state minimum wage as a powerful tool in stimulating across-the-board economic growth, from the neighborhood corner store to leading manufacturers like Earth Friendly Products.

“Raising the minimum wage creates a virtuous cycle of rising wages, consumer demand and job creation,” Vlahakis-Hanks said. “I can’t think of a faster, more direct way to boost the local business economy—yes, including sales of our cleaning products—than to put more money in the pockets of New Jersey workers. It’s a pro-business policy that I’d like to see extended to all New Jersey businesses and workers.”

Today’s plant tour and press conference comes as legislators weigh $15.00 minimum wage legislation. Last week, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin introduced a bill that puts New Jersey’s minimum wage on a path to $15.00 an hour by January 2024 for some workers while businesses with fewer than 10 employees would not reach $15 until January of 2029—more than a decade from now.

“Rebranding Shop Small as Pay Small is the last thing small businesses need,” said Business for a Fair Minimum Wage CEO Holly Sklar. “We support a clean minimum wage bill that treats employees at businesses of all sizes the same—not giving employees of large corporations a raise, while workers at small businesses lag far behind. That would hurt New Jersey’s small businesses and diminish the consumer spending boost that comes from raising wages. Shortsighted small businesses that pay the lower minimum wage would have trouble hiring, see an increase in turnover as employees look elsewhere for pay they can live on, and undercut the customer service that keeps people coming through their doors.”

Earth Friendly Products has five plants located in Parsippany; Cypress, California; Addison, Illinois; Lacey, Washington and Athens, Greece.

Earth Friendly Products is a proud member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Benjamin Comora graduates from Troy University

Frank L. Cahill
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Benjamin Comora graduates from Troy University

PARSIPPANY —  Benjamin Comora graduated from Troy University during Term 1 of the 2018/2019 academic year.

Comora attended the Dothan Campus graduated with the Master of Business Administration degree.

Term 1 includes students at TROY’s campuses in Dothan, Phenix City and Montgomery, Ala., along with teaching sites outside of Alabama and online.

Troy University is a public, historic, international university with more than 145,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while working adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

Parsippany Education Foundation Awards $13,057.64 in Grants to Parsippany Schools

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Education Foundation Awards $13,057.64 in Grants to Parsippany Schools

PARSIPPANY — Supporting educational enrichment in the township, the Parsippany Education Foundation has awarded $13,057.64 to fund ten innovative programs during the 18-19 school year.  Spanning robotics, life skills, storytelling, music and literature, proposals were developed by teachers approved by principals and evaluated by the Foundation based on their ability to contribute to a positive, dynamic learning environment.

Blending life and business skill development for middle school students with special learning needs at Brooklawn Middle School, the “Up All Knight Cafe” will be an ongoing snack and coffee concession run by students focused on interpersonal communication plus forecasting, inventory control, production and cash management.  “The Cafe is a wonderful program we will use to apply academic and social training to the real world challenges of running a small business.  We are delighted to bring this opportunity to our students through the generosity of the Parsippany Educational Foundation and their donors,” said Teacher Laura Bailliard.

“Through the Chipwrecks and Redbots grant, our new student robotics club will be able to design and build a robot to compete in the worldwide First Tech Challenge from the organization For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST).  Robotics challenges our students to solve problems across physics, computer science, mathematics, CAD engineering and more,” said Teacher Ellesa Effner of Parsippany Hills High School.

A check for $13,057.64 was presented to the Parsippany Board of Education by Parsippany Education Foundation President Stella Gizas, Recording Secretary Debbie Bogaert and ex officio member and Parsippany BOE member Joseph Cistaro, on November 15.  “Our Parsippany Education Foundation serves as Guardian Angels for our educators.  They work hard to fundraise and support our teachers and administrators in bringing innovative and meaningful learning opportunities that reflect our district’s Strategic Plan and enrich our students’ school lives,” said Dr. Barbara Sargent, Superintendent of the Parsippany Troy Hills School District.

The Parsippany Educational Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 1996 to enrich the opportunities and experiences of students in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District. The Foundation has contributed over $350,000 in grants to the district raised through private donors, annual spring golf outing and events held through the year.  Its Board of Directors consists of volunteers committed to developing a community of learners.

Please visit their website by clicking here  for more information and like their Facebook page.

Knoll Golf Club Information Meeting

Frank L. Cahill
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Knoll Golf Club Information Meeting

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will be hosting an informative meeting on Wednesday, December 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Knoll West Grille Room.

They will be producing the long term vision, master place for both Knoll courses, going over 2019 membership and programming options, closing with an open question and answer seminar.

Click here to register, in an attempt to have a headcount to deliver to the caterer with ample time. We would love for you all to attend. Appetizers will be served.

Knoll Country Club West is located at 990 Greenbank Road Boonton, NJ 07005 (For GPS purposes).

What Happened After Once Upon a Time … The play by Alex Alfieri

Frank L. Cahill
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What Happened After Once Upon a Time … The play by Alex Alfieri

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Christian School Forensics class will be performing its first play of the school year this Friday night, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Parsippany Baptist Church at 1179 Littleton Road.

The play by Alex Alfieri is titled, What Happened After Once Upon a Time. According to Tara Marine, director and Forensics teacher, “It’s the story of some well known fairy tale characters including Cinderella, Snow White, and Jack and the Bean Stalk. We all think we know these characters pretty well, but in Alfieri’s humorous interpretation, their stories are not all that accurate. Cinderella is an OCD neat freak who really didn’t want to go to the ball. Snow White is a drill sergeant, and so it’s a humorous spin on some of your favorite fairy tale characters.”
 
The play is pure fun for all the actors who range in age from nine to eighteen. Some of the cast have been part of Parsippany Christian’s Forensics program for five years under Marine’s direction. 
 
Grace Reinke plays the lead role of the story teller. Marine says, “She has a very natural and sensitive understanding of the character whose emotions range from euphoria at meeting  her childhood fairy tale idols and then absolute chagrin when she learns what these characters are really like.”
 
The role of Rapunzel is played by Katheryn Jurado who won first place the last two years in state forensic competitions in both drama and poetry categories.
 
The role of Jack is played by Logan Marine who has also won first place two years in a row in the state forensics competition in Humorous Interpretation. The Big Bad Wolf is played by Matthew Rotondo, another state completion winner. Other members of Marine’s cast have been part of her award winning Readers’ Theatre and Acting groups. 
 
What Happened After Once Upon a Time opens on Friday, December 14 at 7:00 pm. Admission is free and the play is good, clean fun for any age group.

Bucco, DeCroce solution to Class III police officer shortage in schools advances in Assembly committee

Frank L. Cahill
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Bucco, DeCroce solution to Class III police officer shortage in schools advances in Assembly committee

MORRIS COUNTY — An Assembly panel advanced a measure requested by Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce to address a shortage of Class III police officers to protect our schools.  The bill (A1400) makes retired state and county corrections officers eligible for the classification.

State Assemblyman Anthony Bucco. (File Photo)

The program was initiated through legislation sponsored by Bucco and signed into law in 2016 by then-Governor Chris Christie. The law allows retired police officers to work in schools to help protect the community. Law enforcement experts have predicted a shortage of available officers because of the stringent hiring requirements and an increase in demand by municipalities and school districts.

“Schools have scrambled to find retired police officers for several years and we want to make sure that more trained officers are available before they have to hire private security guards with less experience and at a higher cost,” said Bucco (R-Morris). “More than ever before, schools across the state are looking for special police officers to help protect our school communities.  These officers are in demand because they often come from the community and are familiar with the local police department and the school system.”

The uniformed, armed officers work part time and get paid at a lower scale, making it the most affordable option for placing guards in schools.  The special officers are paid about $30 or $40 an hour and are not entitled to a pension or benefits for their service, but they still report to the local chief of police.

“Retired corrections officers are job tested and proven in high-pressure situations,” said DeCroce (R-Morris).  “Their experience calming tensions and resolving confrontation will make the halls, cafeterias and playgrounds safer, and they will be ready to immediately respond to emergencies.”

A version of the bill (A4451) passed the Assembly 75-0 in May 2017 but was not taken up in the state Senate.

Pennacchio Blasts Conagra for ‘Gutless’ Christmas Layoffs Announcement 

Frank L. Cahill
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Pennacchio Blasts Conagra for ‘Gutless’ Christmas Layoffs Announcement 

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio today blasted Conagra for announcing, two weeks before Christmas, that they will eliminate more than 500 jobs in New Jersey, including more than 300 positions in Parsippany, a town in the senator’s district.

Senator Joe Pennacchio

Senator Joe Pennacchio blasted Conagra for announcing, two weeks before Christmas, that they will eliminate more than 500 jobs in New Jersey, including more than 300 positions in Parsippany, a town in the senator’s district.

“I have one thing to say to Conagra – shame on you,” Senator Pennacchio said. “Announcing layoffs two weeks before Christmas is a gutless and soulless thing to do.”

Conagra announced that it will eliminate 308 jobs at Pinnacle Food’s former headquarters in Parsippany, and 196 jobs at the Woodcrest Road offices in Cherry Hill, according to a December 8, 2018 Parsippany Focus article (click here for full article).

“Conagra just purchased Pinnacle in October. They knew exactly what they were doing. They couldn’t care less about the hundreds of people who have spent years working in Parsippany,” Pennacchio added.

“I am a strong supporter of the business community, but I’ll always put my constituents first. There is no denying that Governor Murphy’s bad-for-business agenda is forcing companies out of state, but to be clear – that’s not what happened here. Conagra knew what they were getting into. It seems like they bought Pinnacle, just to make a quick buck. That is shameful.

“If any of the families who are coping with these layoffs are in need of toys for their children, or any other type of assistance in the wake of this upheaval, please reach out to my district office by calling (973) 227-4012. We will help you in any way we can.”

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