PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is committed to providing superior service to the residents. As part of this commitment, they must change the water meters periodically. They are starting in Lake Hiawatha, down to Edwards Road, Route 46, and across So. Beverwyck/Reynolds Avenue area to the Troy Road area. There is no cost to homeowners to have this work completed.
The new water meter will be installed by the contractor, National Metering Services, Inc. Your water meter is inside your home or in an outside vault. A National Metering Services representative must access this location to perform the required change.
Installation should take approximately 30 minutes. They ask that you clear the area around your meter before your scheduled appointment to prepare for the meter change. Call National Metering Services at 1-888-448-0009 to schedule an appointment, or click here and click on E-Appointments.
PARSIPPANY — In January 2020, never anticipated three months later, in March 2020, an emergency declaration would cause the implementation of COVID shutdowns and the tremendous hardships that would create for the restaurant industry. Pham Hieu took a chance and acquired ownership of Pho Ninh Kieu, a previously established Vietnamese restaurant, as his first venture into Parsippany’s diverse culinary scene. Fortunately for Mr. Hieu and Parsippany, the restaurant struggled through those tough days and is now a fixture in the community.
The interior, with approximately 12 tables spaced comfortably throughout the dining area, establishes a cozy, casual, intimate, and warm atmosphere.
Pham Hieu, originally from South Viet Nam, arrived in America, along with his parents and siblings, several years ago. Armed with his enterprising spirit, his mother’s home recipes, and a desire to share his homeland’s cuisine, he renovated and redecorated the small eatery to create the ambiance and vibe specific to the cuisine. His mother’s recipe for Pho, where bone marrow is cooked for ten hours every day, is one of the highlight dishes of Pho Ninh Kieu.
Like so many wonderful little eateries in our area, Pho Ninh Kieu is tucked away alongside a row of other businesses in a small strip mall on New Road at the intersection of Route 46 West. Look for the bright, glass front exterior, with the large white and red signage announcing Pho’ Ninh Kieu, Vietnamese Noodle and Grill Restaurant.
Pork Chop and Shrimp Lemongrass with Bell Pepper
The interior, with approximately 12 tables spaced comfortably throughout the dining area, establishes a cozy, casual, intimate, and warm atmosphere. It is immaculately clean, comfortable, and well-designed. Pleasant ambient lighting from the large front windows, aesthetically pleasing laminated wooden tables, matching chairs accentuated with white brick façade walls over softwood paneling, a brick hostess counter, appealing, bright tile flooring, and of course, ethnic artwork, ceiling hangings, architecture, and artifacts all help to enhance a great dining experience. One standout focal point that attracts the eye is a beautiful, large painting of the province of Ninh Kieu, carefully placed along the center wall of the restaurant. Ninh Kieu is a waterfront district in Can Tho, in southern Vietnam, and was the home of the prior owner of Pho Ninh Kieu. When Pham Hieu saw the painting, he was so impressed that he retained the establishment’s name.
Fried Crispy Squid (Floured, Lightly Frede with Sweet and Sour Sauce)
The service was exceptional. On entry, our host/waiter, Kevin, the owner’s brother, was extremely friendly and welcoming. It immediately made our group feel at home. Menus, tableware, and water was brought expeditiously. As usual with this group, there was a lot of discussion and questions for our waiter, Kevin, who was happy to answer all our questions and seemed to enjoy talking with us. The restaurant was well-occupied, yet the service was quick, attentive, and professional throughout our meal. And don’t forget to bring your favorite beer or wine, as Pho Ninh Kieu is BYOB. For the occasion, I found a nice Saigon Lager Beer at Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Outlet, a nearby liquor store.
When most people think of Vietnamese food, they think of Pho (pronounced “fuh”) and Bahn mi sandwiches. Great examples for sure, but there is much more to Viet Nam cuisine, which like most cultural foods, can be distinguished by the region of the country where it originated. Plus, with the influence of China and France during their colonization, Vietnamese cuisine became even more enriched and diversified. Besides the cuisine’s deliciousness, most Vietnamese food is harmonious, healthy, light to eat, colorful, and very diet friendly.
Eggrolls
The most well-known Vietnamese cuisine is pho (“fuh”), a hearty broth served with rice noodles and toppings that include bean sprouts, limes, fresh basil or cilantro, and peppers, which was my choice for this visit. Additional fresh herbs, bean sprouts, basil, peppers, and limes arrived as a side dish to the Pho so that you can customize your dish to your taste. I added everything to the broth and loved it. The key to a good pho (besides the 10-hour cooking time I mentioned earlier), I am told, is a perfectly spiced, highly aromatic, simmering broth with deep, intense flavor. The texture and bite of the fresh noodles and vegetables, which filled my generously sized bowl, were perfectly complemented by those fresh herbs, bean sprouts, limes, Thai basil, and peppers. My choice of the House Combo came with a combination of an eye of round, flank, brisket, beef ball, tendon, and tripe, which, when cooked in the Pho, completed this flavorful dish and was a delicious and delicate culinary delight. Of course, you can customize your dish with your choice of pork, beef, chicken, or a fish base, as well as the level of spiciness of your dish. As I’ve said many times, I prefer my food on the spicy side, so in this case, I added some hot pepper sauce, which is on the table, to kick it up a bit. You will find that the flavors of the broth deepen and intensify the further down you go in the bowl. This savory dish did pack a punch!
Pork Dumplings
For appetizers, the group shared some shrimp summer rolls, pork dumplings, pork and chicken eggrolls, fried crispy squid (floured, lightly fried, with sweet and sour sauce), and grilled lean pork banh mi (a short baguette with a thin, crisp crust and soft, airy texture). You won’t go wrong ordering any one of these; all savory and flavorful.
Grilled Lean Pork Banh Mi
Entrees included Pork Chop & Shrimp Lemongrass (lemongrass imparts a flavor of lemon with hints of ginger, with floral and minty notes) with Bell Pepper, Eye of Round & Tripe Pho, Beef Lemongrass with Bell Pepper, and my selection of the House Combo Pho dish. Tableware included quality chopsticks (wrapped), Asian soup spoons for your pho, hot pepper sauce, and Hoisin Sauce (a sweet and slightly salty dipping sauce). Remember, the pepper sauce is hot, and try not to go overboard with the Hoisin Sauce, as a little goes a long way.
Whether you are a long-time fan of Vietnamese cuisine or trying it out for the first time, I’m confident you will enjoy adding Pho Ninh Kieu to your culinary journey for a new and exciting dining adventure.
Beef Lemongrass with Bell Pepper
Relaxed, strip-mall nook offering pho & other Vietnamese sandwiches & entrees to eat in or take out.
MORRIS COUNTY — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, representing New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, has officially initiated the application process for students aspiring to be nominated for a U.S. military service academy in the upcoming year.
Encouraging students interested in military careers, Rep. Sherrill emphasized the tremendous value of attending these prestigious institutions. Having graduated from the Naval Academy herself, she understands the academic and physical challenges that lie ahead for future military leaders. These service academies provide a solid foundation for their future careers in the military.
Aspiring candidates from the 11th Congressional District can now apply for a service academy nomination, with the application window open until October 26.
High school seniors and college students within New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District have the opportunity to apply for nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The nomination application process is also available for college students seeking to transfer into one of these prestigious institutions. It’s important to note that students require a nomination to be appointed to attend these academies, except for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which does not require a Congressional nomination.
Due to the limited number of nominations available each year, the process is fiercely competitive. Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill can only offer a select number of nominations, making the competition even more challenging. Additionally, receiving a nomination does not guarantee an appointment to attend an academy, as only a fraction of nominated students are ultimately appointed. Aspiring candidates must showcase exceptional academic achievements, leadership qualities, and a strong commitment to serving their country to increase their chances of securing a coveted appointment.
Due to the high number of qualified applicants, the Congresswoman holds a competitive application process that considers the academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities and community involvement of candidates who apply. In addition, every candidate is interviewed by Rep. Sherrill’s Academy Nomination Board which consists of Academy alumni, military veterans, and civic leaders from the community.
Click here for more information and to complete an application.
Call Rep. Sherrill’s office at (973) 526-5668, or email the NJ-11 Academy Nomination Coordinator at willy.tolba@mail.house.gov.
PARSIPPANY — Bhinav Majmuddar, 52, Parsippany, was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing.
According to Denville Police, at 12:18 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, officers responded to The Oaks for a report of a male trespassing on the property.
Once on scene, the male was identified Bhinav Majmudar, a former employee who had been previously placed on trespass notice not to return to the property.
As such, Majmudar was arrested, transported to headquarters for processing, and charged with criminal trespassing. Majmudar was then released on his recognizance pending a future court appearance in Denville Township Municipal Court.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Library is happy to announce the launch of its new logo, marking the start of a new chapter for our library!
Libraries have changed dramatically over the past several decades, and we have updated our logo to reflect that change and to symbolize our evolution into a 21st-century library. The new logo represents freedom, creativity, and letting your imagination fly.
At the Parsippany Library, they’re about more than just books. They are committed to being Parsippany’s best learning, entertainment, and community-building resource. Did you know that the library has…
Museum Passes that grant free admission to over a dozen area museums and cultural centers,
The Library of Things, where you can borrow items such as a microscope, telescope, metal detector, a variety of board games, and more,
Streaming video (including the Great Courses) through Kanopy,
We hope you like the new look and will visit soon to check out all they offer! Visit the Parsippany Library at any of our three branches: Main Library, 449 Halsey Road, Parsippany; Lake Hiawatha Branch Library, 67 Nokomis Avenue, Lake Hiawatha; and Mt. Tabor Branch Library, 26 Simpson Avenue, Tabor.
MORRIS COUNTY — Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco that would help school districts better utilize state military impact aid for the benefit of students was signed into law by Governor Murphy.
The bipartisan bill, S-3089, would allow a school district board of education that received unanticipated State military impact aid in the 2021-2022 school year to establish a military impact aid reserve account in its annual budget. (Click here to view Bill S-3089)
Under the bill, at its discretion, the board may use the funds in the reserve account for general fund expenses.
“I am pleased the Governor signed this measure into law today. By holding these badly needed but unanticipated funds in reserve, districts like Rockaway Township Schools in my district can ensure the money is responsibly appropriated to provide help where it is most needed,” said Bucco (R-25). “The money fills a crucial void in Rockaway’s budget, created when Washington failed to deliver federal impact aid to help pay for educational costs for military children in the schools.
“This bipartisan bill will help maximize funding intended to ease the added burden on local property taxpayers,” Bucco continued.
When legislation was signed in June 2022 providing additional state school aid to districts impacted by the loss of federal impact aid, the Rockaway Township School District was one of two qualifying districts.
A district would be eligible for this aid if it received a Basic Support Payment of federal Impact Aid in the prior fiscal year and the district provides free public education to federally connected children whose parents are on active duty in the uniformed services. This aid is critical to Rockaway Township, which hosts Picatinny Arsenal.
“The federal government had an obligation to underwrite the cost of educating children of our military men and women, but when the money didn’t arrive, local families were stuck paying the bill,” Bucco said. “This law is the next step in mitigating the unfair treatment of local residents.”
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department is investigating a series of burglaries reported along the Route 46 corridor in Parsippany.
According to the authorities, these burglaries occurred at night and targeted several commercial businesses.
A Parsippany Police spokesperson said that the police are in the early phases of the investigation. They actively discuss with the affected businesses and victims to gather crucial information. However, as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with these incidents.
Police are also advising businesses to keep their alarm systems activated. If your alarms are not monitored by an alarm company, don’t hesitate to contact the police department as soon as they are activated.
“Businesses may have been the target last night, but we encourage all residents of Parsippany to remain diligent and proactive in keeping their homes, belongings, and vehicles secured so they don’t become an easy target for criminals,” police said.
Local business owners have been urged to take necessary precautions to safeguard their establishments and valuables, including money when closing for the day.
PARSIPPANY — The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) issued a stop-work order on June 29 to Ultimate Framing L.L.C. of Newark for their work in Parsippany-Troy Hills. The work site is at the Parq Housing Project, 100-900 Lanidex Plaza.
The stop-work order was initiated by NJDOL’s Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance after conducting a site inspection. During the inspection, multiple workers were interviewed and reported several alleged violations by the company. These violations include workers being paid in cash without statutory deductions and not receiving pay stubs. Additionally, the workers claimed they were not given earned sick leave, a mandated benefit in New Jersey.
The charges against Ultimate Framing L.L.C. include improper classification of construction workers, failure to properly classify employees properly, not providing a statement of deductions, and not providing earned sick leave.
Ultimate Framing L.L.C. has requested a hearing to contest the stop-work order. As of the announcement, no monetary assessments have been made.
It’s worth noting that since July 2019, the NJDOL has issued 110 stop-work orders to protect workers’ rights and enforce state labor laws and regulations. These stop-work orders are used to halt work that exploits workers or is found to be noncompliant with state labor laws.
Employers have the right to appeal a stop-work order, and if they choose to do so, NJDOL must schedule a hearing within seven days. The department also continues to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued. Employers found to be conducting business in violation of the order may face civil penalties of $5,000 per day.
The stop-work order may be lifted once all remaining back wages and penalties have been paid and all related issues have been resolved.
For more information on worker benefits and protections in New Jersey, individuals can visit the NJDOL website by clicking here. This resource provides information about workers’ rights, benefits, and how to report labor law violations.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Councilman Justin Musella publicly.
I have been dealing with an issue that escalated and had the potential to become dangerous. Complaints were made, but there was never any follow-through, and the issue remained.
Frustrated and discouraged, I decided to reach out to Councilman Musella. He immediately replied to my message and met me in person that day.
Councilman Musella listened and agreed there was a problem. He gave validation to my concern. He immediately went to action, researching the best path forward.
It’s difficult to navigate an issue that isn’t technically “illegal” but 100% unethical.
The little guy now has a voice. Residents shouldn’t think, “No one will care,” or “Nothing I can do.”
We now have someone on our side, who cares not only about the 2-legged Parsippany residents but the 4 legged ones, and that means a lot to me.
Parsippany needs to regain its Pride. We now have a leadership we can trust. I hope this encourages citizens to speak up when they see wrongdoing and to have hope still. Little hinges swing big doors.
Dear Editor: