Morris County Freeholders hold Reorganization meeting

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Freeholders hold Reorganization meeting

MORRIS COUNTY – The Board of Chosen Freeholders held their annual reorganization meeting on Friday, January 5.

Incoming Freeholder Heather Darling took the oath of office for a three year term. (Click here to read related article). Darling replaced Freeholder Hank Lyon who did not seek re-election to the county governing board.

Heather Darling and former Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Vice President Robert Peluso

Douglas R. Cabana was elected Freeholder Director and Christine Myers was elected Deputy Freeholder Director for the new year.

Other members of the Freeholder Board include Thomas J. Mastrangelo, John Cesaro, Kathryn A. DeFillippo and Deborah Smith.

Father John Theodosion, Presiding Priest of St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph, gave the invocation, while the Morris County Law Enforcement and Boonton Township Fire Department color guards also participated in the event.

Among the many officials in attendance were Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Congressman Leonard Lance, Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon, Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, newly elected State Senator Kristin Corrado and her running mate Assemblyman-elect Chris DePhillips, Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, Morris County Young Republican Secretary Joseph Bock, Esq., Former Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Former Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Paul Philipps, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Captain Andrew Miller, Former Freeholder John Inglesino, Former Freeholder and Current Morris Plains Mayor Frank Druetzler, Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi; Morris County Republican Chairwoman Patti Page and MCRC Finance Chair Ron DeFilippis.

Freeholder Director Douglas Cabana

Douglas R. “Doug” Cabana is the longest serving member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, having joined the board in April 1997.

He is a former freeholder director who was elected by his colleagues to that post in 2000, 2001, and again in 2017.  He served as deputy director in 1998, 1999, 2011 and 2012.

A past president of the New Jersey Association of Counties, it was under his leadership in 2006 that the association became an initial driving force behind the now popular concept of “shared services.” Cabana will continue in 2018 as Morris County’s representative to that statewide association, a role he has held since 1999.

Cabana was mayor of Boonton Township for six years and a member of the township’s governing body for eleven years. He is a member of the 200 Club of Morris County and a former president of the Morris County League of Municipalities.

Freeholder Cabana is an attorney who received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.  He also has a degree in business management from Ithaca College.

Christine Myers began her first term on the board of freeholders on January 3, 2016. The Mendham Township resident has a long history in corporate and private business, and has been active for many years in community affairs in Morris County

Deputy Freeholder Director Christine Myers

Myers launched a specialty food business in 2013 after a 25-year career as a technology and telecommunications executive and consultant. At AT&T, Myers was responsible for managing the technology and communications needs of all 1996 presidential elections, the Republican National Convention, and hundreds of federal, state and municipal campaigns.

She also led the team that won multi-million dollar communication contracts for the Executive Office of the President and White House Communications Agency. Later, as Vice President, Alliances and Business Development at Siemens, she negotiated global technology, strategic alliance and joint venture agreements.

Myers served until June of 2016 as President of the Board of Cornerstone Family Programs and the Morristown Neighborhood House. She also was a board member of Turn the Towns Teal, an ovarian cancer awareness initiative; Madison Daycare, and the Pastoral Advisory Board of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham.

In December, The Trump administration Myers regional advocate for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

She will be able to complete her term through the end of 2018. She can’t run again while working as one of ten regional advocates for the SBA.

Myers expects to work in New York City when she isn’t traveling for the job. She said she intends to complete work she started last year as head of a freeholder committee developing a strategic master plan for the county’s future.

She and her husband own a small business called Madison Park Foods that formulates spices. Myers said her husband will run the business solo.

She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary.

Christine is married and lives in Mendham with her husband Stan Gorski and their sons, Tom and Stan.

The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders will meet again on Wednesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. All regular meetings at which formal action may be taken will take place at the Board of Chosen Freeholders’ Meeting Room, Fifth Floor, Administration and Records Building, Court Street, Morristown.

Heather Darling Sworn in as Freeholder

Frank L. Cahill
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Heather Darling Sworn in as Freeholder

MORRIS COUNTY — Heather Darling took the Oath of Office for Freeholder on Friday, January 5, at the Morris County Administration and Records Building, Morristown.

Darling, a 43-year Morris County resident, ran for the open Morris County Freeholder seat vacated by Former Freeholder Hank Lyon, who chose not to run for re-election.

Heather fully understands the role of a Freeholder and is prepared to take on the tasks associated with that job specifically. She will be focusing exclusively on County issues and leave state and federal issues like minimum wage and immigration enforcement to the appropriate governing bodies. She is a fiscal conservative interested in preserving the character and values of Morris County in a manner that is affordable and beneficial to our residents while upholding the Constitution, according to her oath of office, in performing her duties as Freeholder.

While she intends to bring a fresh perspective to the Freeholder Board, she is aware of issues within the county. The three main categories that are central to Heather’s goals are the promotion of economic growth and job creation; fiscal responsibility and free enterprise and professional integrity and transparency.

Deer freed from fence thanks to Patrol Sergeant Kinsey

Frank L. Cahill
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Deer freed from fence thanks to Patrol Sergeant Kinsey

PARSIPPANY — Patrol Sergeant Earl Kinsey was patrolling the area of Granada Drive when something caught his eye in the fence of a residence, on Friday, January 5.

He quickly stopped his patrol vehicle and determined a young deer had become stuck between the fence rails.

Detective Lieutenant Keith Lefferts, along with members of the Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department, Parsippany Animal Control and Shelter, and Par-Troy EMS responded to assist Sergeant Kinsey free the deer.

After a short time, the deer was freed by the responding personnel with minimal damage to the fence. The deer was last seen running into woods.

Honoring Dr. King with a Statewide Call to Action

Frank L. Cahill
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Honoring Dr. King with a Statewide Call to Action

TRENTON — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will mark a statewide day of service in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.

​The Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor-elect, and the entire Murphy-Oliver Administration will be participating in designated service activities throughout all 21 counties to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  If you would like to join us in volunteering to both honor Dr. King and create a stronger, fairer New Jersey, click here to sign up.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to: inaugural2018@njdems.org.

Reminder: Renew your dog license by January 31

Frank L. Cahill
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Reminder: Renew your dog license by January 31

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany residents are reminded that all dogs in the township are required to be licensed each year. The deadline for licensing your dog, seven months or older, is January 31. According to state statute a dog must be registered within ten days of such acquisition or age attainment.

Click here to download an application to apply for a dog license.

Licenses may be obtained in person at the office of the Township Clerk, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Licenses may also be requested by mail, addressed to the Township Clerk, at the above address, by enclosing the proper fee, current rabies vaccination certificate and/or prior year’s license, and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.

The fee for spayed/neutered is $15.00 and non-spayed/neutered is $18.00.

All licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed in January of each year. Licensed renewed after January 31 require a $5.00 late fee.

There is no fee required for Seeing Eye dogs. According to Township Ordinance potentially dangerous dogs the fee is $150.00. If you need a replacement registration tag the fee is $2.00. To transfer registration tag (optional) is $2.00. The turn-in fee for sick or unwanted dogs up to 20 pounds is $25.00; Twenty-one pounds to 50 pounds is $45.00 and over 50 pounds is $65.00.

Eli is available for adoption

Frank L. Cahill
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Eli is available for adoption

PARSIPPANY — Eli is a gorgeous, sweet, and fun Husky! He is seven years old but don’t let that stop you, he has the personality and energy of a much younger dog!

Eli is friendly, loves to play, enjoys the snow like a typical Husky does, and will make a great companion who will keep you entertained. He is already trained and knows tricks! He is neutered and up to date on vaccines. Eli is great with dogs of all sizes and he is fine around cats.

If you’d like more information, please call the Parsippany Animal Shelter (973) 263-7083, or stop by for a visit! The shelter is open Monday through Friday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Parsippany Animal Shelter is located at 1069 Parsippany Boulevard.

Arrest made in carjacking and robbery at Wells Fargo Bank

Frank L. Cahill
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Arrest made in carjacking and robbery at Wells Fargo Bank

MORRISTOWN — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Morristown Bureau of Police Chief Peter Demnitz announce the arrest of Michael Conway, 37, Morristown, on charges related to a robbery and carjacking that occurred during the early evening hours of January 3, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Bank located at 87 Ridgedale Avenue, Morristown.

On January 3, 2018 at approximately 5:40 p.m., law enforcement was notified of a robbery that had occurred at the outdoor ATM of Wells Fargo Bank located on Ridgedale Avenue.  The suspect allegedly approached the victim on foot, demanded cash from the victim, and stated that he had a gun.  After receiving an amount of cash from the victim, the suspect fled from the scene in the victim’s vehicle.  The vehicle was subsequently recovered.

As a result of an investigation by law enforcement, Conway was taken into custody by detectives with the Morristown Bureau of Police on January 4, 2018.

Conway was charged with one count of Carjacking, a crime of the first degree, one count of Robbery, a crime of the first degree, and one count of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a crime of the third degree.  Conway was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility on a warrant-complaint in accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act.

The Morristown Bureau of Police was the lead investigative agency in this matter.  They were assisted by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Section, and the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narcan 2.0 Saves Lives throughout Morris County

Frank L. Cahill
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Narcan 2.0 Saves Lives throughout Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office partnerships with Morris CARES, Atlantic Health, and Saint Clare’s Health in the implementation of “Narcan 2.0”, has had great success in the past seven months. Since the inception of the program in May of last year, the newly created Addiction Recovery Response Team is already producing positive results in the fight against the heroin epidemic.

On May 18th, 2017, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office launched the “Narcan 2.0” program. Morris County Prosecutor, Fredric M. Knapp, worked with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement, medical, and social service agencies to enact this program. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office provided Morris Cares with a check for $10,000, to provide training to Peer Recovery Specialists. These funds were obtained from civil forfeiture proceedings against drug dealers.

The program requires every person who has suffered from a drug overdose, and has had their condition “reversed” in the field due to the administration of the drug Narcan, by police officers, to be counseled by a certified Peer Recovery Specialist. The aim is to provide the survivor with a meaningful second chance and to navigate them into treatment to break the cycle of addiction.

Before the Peer Recovery Specialists are allowed to work with anyone, they have to pass an exam and training course through Morris CARES. Morris CARES is a non-profit, recovery oriented sanctuary, based in Rockaway, NJ that works to change the lives of those suffering from a substance abuse disorder. Their focus on utilizing peer support throughout the community works hand in hand with the goal of “Narcan 2.0”.

“Narcan 2.0 is proving to be an overwhelmingly successful response to the opiate epidemic. The project allows for individuals who have been reversed from an opiate overdose to receive recovery support from a trained Peer Recovery Specialist. The Peer Recovery Specialist is a person in recovery who uses his or her lived experience with addiction to help an overdose survivor find and maintain a path of recovery,” said Melody Runyan, Associate Director of Morris CARES.

The Peer Recovery Specialists utilize their own experiences as an attempt to break the vicious cycle of addiction. Their first-hand knowledge allows the victims to feel more comfortable in their recovery, knowing that the person across from them has been where they are right now.

Out of the 83 times that Narcan was administered in Morris County by law enforcement officers since the implementation of “Narcan 2.0” seven months ago, 59 of those victims accepted the services of the Addiction Recovery Response Team. That comes out to a starting success rate of 71.08%.

Of the 59 overdose victims that were willing to accept these services, 59% of them utilized the peer support program, 17% were sent to a detox program, 15% were sent to an inpatient program, and 9% utilized an outpatient program.

The personal testimonies from the individuals who have taken advantage of “Narcan 2.0”, prove just how much of a difference having a follow-up to the “reversal” of the overdose makes.

For example, a confidential patient, overdosed and ended up on life support at St. Clare’s Dover, and expressed his interest in the Peer Support program. Following his release, he did not keep in contact with his Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and eventually relapsed. Once he decided to reach out to his Peer Recovery Specialist again, they were able to get him into a Detox and Inpatient program the same day, ultimately saving his life. This individual has expressed his enormous gratitude for the program, and he’s just one of the many success stories that “Narcan 2.0” has created thus far.

The heroin and opioid epidemic continues to affect lives across Morris County, where at least 79 people died in 2017 from an opiate overdose. Programs such as “Narcan 2.0” attempt to utilize recovery as the main tool in saving those suffering from substance abuse disorder. If the vicious cycle of addiction can be broken, progress will be made. To assist law enforcement first responders, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, very recently provided additional Narcan supplies for all participating Morris County police departments on December 12, 2017.

Prosecutor Knapp commented on the positive effect to date, “We are very encouraged by the positive impact “Narcan 2.0” has had so far. Law enforcement partnership with the treatment community is enabling the “Narcan 2.0” program to save lives. Being a “Stigma Free” County helps those suffering from substance abuse disorder to break away from this horrific disease.”

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Reorganization Meeting

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Reorganization Meeting

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Reorganization Meeting was held on Monday, January 1, 2018

H&R Block tax offices open for 2018, offer free 1040EZ

Frank L. Cahill
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H&R Block tax offices open for 2018, offer free 1040EZ

H&R Block opened its 10,000 offices nationwide today to serve taxpayers during the upcoming filing season. H&R Block has an office located within five miles of 95 percent of Americans. Whether they need help filing their 2017 return, W-4 planning for 2018, dealing with IRS-mandated refund delays or more, H&R Block can serve them when and how they want. 

“We help taxpayers get their taxes won, starting with getting them their maximum refund,” said Karen Orosco, senior vice president of U.S. retail for H&R Block. “We don’t stop there to get your taxes won, though. We will serve you when you want, where you want and how you want, including through our new virtual method that allows you to never step foot in an office but still get your taxes won with our expert tax professionals.”

Millions can file for free at H&R Block offices 

H&R Block’s free Federal 1040EZ offer will allow approximately 23 million taxpayers to file a Federal 1040EZ for free for a limited time at participating offices.

“Our free Federal 1040EZ offer gives taxpayers access to expert assistance in completing their returns and guarantees they get their maximum refund – all for free.” Orosco said.

“Filing a simple tax return may not be as easy as many taxpayers believe, especially if they are new filers, experienced a life change in 2017, face IRS refund delays or are concerned about how tax reform legislation will affect them in 2018, including the impact to their paychecks starting as early as February,” Orosco said. “Having assistance from a qualified tax professional provides taxpayers confidence that they aren’t leaving any money on the table and that they are prepared for the future.” 

Generally, a 1040EZ filer is a taxpayer whose filing status is single or married filing jointly, who does not pay mortgage interest, has no dependents and earned less than $100,000 last year. 

To learn more about filing a Free Federal 1040EZ and all other offers like H&R Block Tax Pro Go, find a nearby location or make an appointment, visit www.hrblock.com or call 1-800-HRBLOCK.

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