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.

Adopt Two-year-old Junior; he is looking for a new home

Frank L. Cahill
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Adopt Two-year-old Junior; he is looking for a new home

PARSIPPANY — Junior is a two-year-old male Pit Bull Terrier/English Bulldog mix stole our hearts at the Newark municipal shelter when we met him! Surrendered to the shelter over two months ago, Junior was just waiting for his chance at freedom and we could not be happier we rescued him!

While about 65 pounds, Junior is short and stocky, much like a Bulldog. His tail rarely stops wagging and he absolutely loves getting pet! He also enjoys sitting RIGHT in your lap. He just wants to be as close to you as possible!

Junior is great with other dogs and could live with children ten and up. He walks great in a harness and would love to go on a lifetime of walks with you! Junior enjoyed playing with a tennis ball and had no problem giving it right back to us.

If you’re looking for a well-mannered, friendly, loving dog, please fill out an application by clicking here.

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

Wise Animal Control’s goal is to find the perfect family dynamic and place our dogs in a loving, safe and permanent home. All of our dogs available for adoption are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots and microchipped.

Our adoption process starts with filling an application, home visit, meet and greet and then finalizing with an adoption contract and fee.

Adoption fees range from about $200.00 to $500.00. These fees help defray costs of veterinary and foster care and are tax deductible.

Letter to the editor: The air is definitely different at Town Hall

Frank L. Cahill
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

The air was definitely different at Town Hall on this Tuesday night for the regular agenda meeting.  Maybe just metaphorically it was “cleaner”, less stifling, fresher, newer, and invigorating.  And that had nothing to do with the cold outside.  Inside there was a new attitude.  The public was able to speak their mind longer.  Instead of blank, dismissive, avoiding stares at the table top, and terse one-minute warning – questions came forth about citizens’ concerns.  A cordial and receptive conversation had started about new ideas.

For those of us that grasped what kind of change was taking place – it was really a new day.  The CFO had been sent home to spend time with her family after working a full Holiday weekend.  The Mayor at the beginning of the meeting, noted she was no longer needed on a regular basis. The Mayor had dismissed himself out of respect for the legislative process. Not that he was avoiding the public, as he also noted that he was determined to have a town hall once a month in every section of town going forward.

For someone like me, having run for Federal office and having the experience of debating my opponent in front of hundreds of people, my very own townhall was an extraordinarily intimidating place, as it was for so many in the past few years.  Why?  Because those behind the dais had all the power, and didn’t quite wield it with the appropriate humility you’d expect from a public servant. Not at all interested in a reasoned conversation. I had been mocked by the previous mayor for espousing the importance of transparency in a democracy.  I was told I was “full of it, Tom” – when noting that this was Jefferson’s dream – that an informed public could be capable of self-governance.  I was accused of backhanded partisan deception by a late former councilman for advocating for an ordinance to slow the flow of money that potentially corrupted our government.  The same ordinance was dismantled by a currently sitting councilman with the help of the previous attorney. I was denied service to the town on committees for blatant partisan reasons by a former councilman (now freeholder). It wasn’t fun, and at the risk of giving them any satisfaction – I’ll say it was quite humiliating.

So – yes the air had definitely changed in the council chamber.

Mayor Soriano moving the “Mayor Only Parking Sign” at Town Hall. The Mayor said he doesn’t need a special parking spot

On Monday – the cameras caught all the excitement of the day as the Governor-Elect, former governor, former mayor and so many other dignitaries and community leaders participated in the change of guard.   But in a quieter moment at the end of all the festivities – there was another moment that was missed. 

When getting ready to leave, I had warmed up my car and pulled around to the front of the building to pick up my family.  I debated whether I should park in the “Reserved Mayor” spot as no car was there.  Out of the front door came the new Mayor walking toward me with no overcoat and just a knit cap… and a screwdriver in his hand.   He proceeded to dismantle the “Reserved Mayor” sign stating that it was being converted to “Handicapped”.  He could  walk a little further from now on to give someone a chance to participate in government with just a little less hassle.   

Yep – it’s quite a new day at Parsippany Town Hall.

Tom Wyka  

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