Letter to the editor: Hate Has No Home Here is breaking the Law

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

A local Marketing Expert and Scholar has submitted a letter to Parsippany Focus that we wanted to publish. The writer has wished to remain anonymous but has been a Marketing Professional and Scholar for over 25 years.

People may not be aware but it is against the US Federal Law to use the American flag in advertising.  Many people in town have been seeing signs that originated in Urban Chicago that state “Hate Has No Home Here” and the sign has a clear image of the US Flag (Colors, Stars and Stripes) as the marketing slogan.

The writer of this article sites an example from Cornell below:

“4 U.S. Code § 3 – Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation of flag

Any person who, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any purpose, any article or substance being an article of merchandise, or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for carrying or transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark, or distinguish the article or substance on which so placed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court. The words “flag, standard, colors, or ensign”, as used herein, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.

(July 30, 1947, ch. 389, 61 Stat. 642; Pub. L. 90–381, § 3, July 5, 1968, 82 Stat. 291.)”

The writer feels that the signs should be outlawed and he perceives the posting of these signs to be illegal and a blatant disrespect for the law. He also asserts that any good thinking American should be aware of this and the ethics associated with using images of the US flag.

 

Written by a Concerned Parsippany Resident

Editors Note: Parsippany Focus has confirmed the identity of the writer who wishes to remain anonymous. 

Future Business Leaders of America hosted the regional summit

Frank L. Cahill
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Future Business Leaders of America hosted the regional summit

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Hills Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) hosted the NJ FBLA Northern Region Summit on Thursday October 5. 

Adam Giovanelli, the Northern Region VP hosted the event under the mentorship of his local chapter advisor Ahmed Kandil. 

The event was a fun-filled day highlighted by guest speaker Mr. Tim Baxter the President and CEO of Samsung North America as well as a Northern Region Shark Tank competition among 8 groups mixed with students from various schools throughout the northern region of the State.  The State Officers played the roles of “The Sharks” and critiqued the business pitches. 

Mr. Kandil held an advisor’s networking and discussion roundtable simultaneously. The Parsippany Hills FBLA chapter has 3 State Officers (maximum number allowed) on the State Executive Board this year, which is a chapter record.  The Parsippany Hills State Officers are Seniors Adam Giovanelli, Arijit Pingle and Siddhanth Patel. 

The chapter is off to a successful school year.

Letter to the editor: Team Barberio Accepts Endorsement from Candidate He Accused of Official Misconduct

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

Recently, Parsippany Mayor Jamie Barberio remarked that he was proud to receive the endorsement of former Planning Board member Casey Parikh, who just a few months ago his campaign team had publicly accused of extensive misconduct in his role on the Planning Board.  

Indeed, Casey Parikh was removed from the Planning Board by Mayor Barberio, with an official letter from the Mayor’s office alleging the aforementioned misconduct, noting that Mr. Parikh was caught holding secretive, backroom meetings with developers and failed to disclose that he moved out of town while on the board. (Click here to read letter)

This opens up an interesting question. Was the Barberio campaign lying about Casey Parikh’s conduct as a member of the Planning Board? Or is Barberio proudly accepting the endorsement of an appointed official who he had discovered was violating the public trust?

Mayor Barberio owes the people of Parsippany an explanation about exactly what led him to kick Casey Parikh off of the Planning Board, and why he seems to have had such a sudden change of mind.

Michael Soriano, candidate for Mayor

Prevention is Key in new Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

Frank L. Cahill
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Prevention is Key in new Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prevention is Key has been selected by the Morris County Board of Freeholders to be the new Morris County Intoxicated Driver Resource Center effective on January 1.

The Freeholders unanimously approved the nonprofit Prevention is Key in conjunction with a reference from the Morris County Department of Human Services. MC PIK has a strong record of offering quality prevention services and recovery support in the county.

It replaces Cornerstone (formerly Family Service of Morris County) which offered the program for almost three decades but declined to continue the service.

“The county is appreciative of our partnership with Cornerstone/Family Service as the  long-time IDRC provider over 28 years, and look forward to establishing a good working relationship with Prevention in Key in that role,’’ said Lori Becker, Morris County Director of  the Division of Community and Behavioral Health Services.

Morris County currently has a working relationship with Prevention is Key:

  • MC PIK is providing Peer Recovery Specialist teams to Morris County hospitals for persons who have been revived from drug overdoses by use of Narcan – as part of a Morris County Prosecutor’s Office program.
  • MC PIK also is part of the team that staffs the Morris County Sheriff’s HOPE ONE van, offering services to people with opioid/drug disorders.

The New Jersey Intoxicated Driving Program is responsible for the administration of post-conviction Driving Under the Influence interventions, and each county must ensure it has an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

The Resource Center detains, educates, and screens individuals to determine eligibility. If eligible for the program, participants receive 12-hours of Alcohol and Highway Safety prevention education. The program is mandatory for all person’s convicted of a first and third-time DUI offenses.

Morris County Prevention is Key will offer 12 hour education classes in both their Morris and Warren county locations each month.

For more information on the Intoxicated Driver’s Resource Center, contact (973) 625-1998 or click here.

Rockaway based Prevention is Key is a non-profit organization that provides prevention education programs, professional development training, advocacy, information and referral services. It maintains the county’s most extensive resource center with up-to-date materials that address issues of substance abuse, violence, ATOD dependence and emerging issues of concern to the Morris County Community.

Letter to the editor: Get out and vote

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

After watching the September 12, 2017 council meeting tape and reading numerous newspaper articles, I had to write this letter.

What supposedly began in response to a request by council president Lou Valori for an update on the mayor’s folly – a politically motivated attack on a former police captain – turned into a campaign advertisement. The 20 minute rant by the township’s attorney John Inglesino at that meeting was despicable, unethical and should be investigated by the State Election Board.

Obviously, the township attorney has a lot at stake in this election.

In all of my many years of attending council meetings on a regular basis with former township attorneys Henry Luther and Judy Vernon I never, ever saw anything like what Mr. Inglesino did. Those attorneys conducted themselves professionally and respectfully to the sitting council members and speaking public.

Mr. Inglesino’s appointment as municipal attorney was not approved by the council but his position was protected by a loophole in the law that allowed the mayor to help him keep his $750,000 a year job. In addition to that astronomical fee, Mr. Inglesino’s law firm submitted and subsequently received payment of invoices with NJ sales tax charges in the aggregate amount of thousands of dollars. New Jersey townships do not pay sales tax!

How did this happen? It’s apparent the Mayor and his staff did not review the invoices. Did Mr. Inglesino’s law firm file and submit payment to the Division of Taxation? I don’t know but unfortunately I uncovered this scam well after the filing period.

Watch any of the council meeting tapes of the last eight years then ask yourself who’s running the town. It will be obvious that Mayor Barberio is just a puppet of Mr. Inglesino.

Seven years ago I vehemently complained about the sewer surplus being transferred to the general operating fund (remember the 52% increase in sewer charges in 2006). To date approximately $7 million has been skimmed and this has caught the attention of other municipalities that share sewer treatment services with Parsippany and are charged on a cost plus basis.

Where has this $7,000,000 gone? Astronomical legal fees, a lot of wasteful spending (how many clerk typists have been hired at town hall???), much higher administrative salaries than previous administrations and vehicle usage in violation of town ordinances to name a few of the mayor’s excesses. And let’s not forget the Aurora scandal and the millions being poured into four years of legal fees for the Captain Carifi witch hunt.

Each election year the mayor declares he has presented a “Zero Budget Increase” and even as he’s speaking those words he’s reaching into taxpayers pockets using sewer money to fund his bloated government.

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely, should be Mayor Barberio’s motto. Parsippany with its fortuitous location, highway connections and natural geography, wetlands to rolling mountains is beautiful, but above the landscape too many devils roam.

To my former good neighbors from Lake Hiawatha to Puddingstone – Get Out and Vote November 7!

Roy Messmer
Former resident Glacier Hills

EMS Council of New Jersey Annual Symposium and Trade Show was held at Sheraton

Frank L. Cahill
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EMS Council of New Jersey Annual Symposium and Trade Show was held at Sheraton

PARSIPPANY — The EMS Council of New Jersey’s (EMSCNJ) held their annual Symposium and Trade Show at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, 199 Smith Road, from October 13 to October 15.

The event included nearly four dozen EMT education-credit seminars, trade show exhibits and vendors with the latest medical and rescue equipment, a Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit confined-space rescue demonstration, an antique ambulance display and contest, EMS-related merchandise booths, a Tricky Tray auction and 50/50 raffles, Friday night “American Country Buffet” and Saturday banquet with live entertainment.

As part of the EMSCNJ’s annual conference, the weekend included organizational meetings, leadership elections, a memorial service for deceased members and award presentations. Cadet and youth members were invited for a special program.

In keeping with this year’s convention theme, “Celebrating America: Red, White & Blue and EMS, too,” the group will honor EMSCNJ members who are veterans.

“We have more than a few EMS volunteers in our organization who are U.S. military veterans,” said Joseph G. Walsh, Jr., EMSCNJ president. “They’ve lived lives of sacrifice, dedication and service, first for their country and now for their communities. These selfless individuals surely deserve our recognition and gratitude.”

At the October 14 ceremony honoring veterans there was also amemorial service.

In conjunction with the U.S Marine Corps Reserve and the 2nd Battalion 25th Marines at Picatinny Arsenal, the EMSCNJ encouraged convention attendees to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots Program.

“The annual convention offers so many educational and networking opportunities with other EMS personnel and nationally recognized experts,” Walsh said. “From the opioid epidemic to trauma, respiratory and other medical emergencies, pediatric patients, EMS law, documentation and more, we have it covered.”

PHS graduate opens Automotive Shop on North Beverwyck Road

Frank L. Cahill
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PHS graduate opens Automotive Shop on North Beverwyck Road

PARSIPPANY — Zolla’s Auto Care is now open at 141 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha. The owner, Matthew Zolla, is a 24-year Lake Hiawatha resident and Parsippany High School Alumni, Class of 2011.

While in high school Matt was a good student, well liked and a member of the Red Hawks Varsity Baseball and Basketball teams.

When deciding on what to do after graduation, Matt knew he wanted to pursue his passion in becoming a mechanic and needed to look beyond traditional schooling. After many hours of intense studying, something that Matt was not accustomed to in high school, he graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute in 2012 with honors and began an apprenticeship at Parsippany Automotive.

For the past five years, Matt has worked tirelessly mastering his skills and preparing to run his own business one day.

“At first, I liked working on cars because it was challenging. But now I enjoy working with our customers and taking care of them is one of my top goals. I enjoy finding the problems with the cars that come in and making sure our customers are satisfied when they leave,” said Matt.

Zolla’s Auto Care is a full-service repair shop located at 141 North Beverwyck Road. Services range from oil changes and tire rotations to suspension work and check engine diagnostics. Walk in’s are welcome or call (973) 263-1111 to schedule an appointment.

Loyola University Maryland Welcomes Jeffrey Umanzor to the Class of 2021

Frank L. Cahill
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Loyola University Maryland Welcomes Jeffrey Umanzor to the Class of 2021

PARSIPPANY — As first-year students embark on their college experience, they will all take part in Loyola’s living learning program, Messina. The common text for Messina is Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. The book, a compelling first-hand account of a lawyer who defends the poor and wrongly condemned, speaks to the inequality in the justice system.

Jeffrey Umanzor is Loyola’s newest greyhounds. Jeffrey was a 2017 graduate of Parsippany High School and was among the 243 graduating students.

Class of 2021 by the numbers:

  • 8%: students who attended Jesuit high schools
  • 10%: legacy students
  • 16%: first-generation college students
  • 21%: students of color
  • 29%: students who enrolled test optional
  • 1,031: total students enrolled

Established in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is a Catholic, Jesuit comprehensive university comprising Loyola College, home to the University’s arts and sciences programs; the Sellinger School of Business and Management; and the School of Education. Loyola enrolls 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students from across the country.

Montville threatens to sue Parsippany over money Barberio transferred to create a 0% budget increase

Frank L. Cahill
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Montville threatens to sue Parsippany over money Barberio transferred to create a 0% budget increase

PARSIPPANY — During the Township Council agenda meeting of Tuesday, October 3, Township Attorney John Inglesino advised the council they were going into closed session to discuss possible litigation with Montville.

Parsippany Focus issued a series of Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests and received a letter dated September 27, 2017 to Mayor James Barberio from Montville Mayor James Sandham.

Montville Township is seeking $1M dollars from Parsippany, as a one-time credit to offset over the next two years against charges of the Sewer Treatment Plant Agreement to Montville from Parsippany.

“Over the past six weeks our office has made inquiries for certain financial and budget information which relates to the fact that over the last seven years more than $8 million in fund balance from the Parsippany Sewer Utility has been anticipated as revenue as part of the Parsippany municipal budget. Notwithstanding numerous phone calls, requests and delays, as of this date we have not received the documentation from the Township of Parsippany relating to our request,” said James Sandham.

In balancing the 2017 budget, Mayor James Barberio transferred $3.2 Million from the Parsippany Utilities to the Parsippany Municipal Budget.  This created a zero percent municipal tax increase. ($700,000 was transferred from Parsippany Water Utility Operating Account and $2.5 Million from Parsippany Sewer Utility Operating Account.)
The same tactic was used in the 2013 Election, when sewer surplus of $550,000 was used to create a 0% budget increase.

Sandham continued “As a long-time user of and contributor to the system, you are aware that the Township of Montville accounts for approximately 20% of the financial revenues for the Parsippany Sewer Utility. Certainly, the governing body was recently made aware that significant funds and transfers have been made from this Utility in addition to the enormous surplus that exists in the facility as well.”

“$8.5 million of fund balance that has been transferred (to the municipal budget) times 11.7% (Montville’ s share of rents) equals $1 million.” the letter stated.

In addition the letter states, “due to the time that has elapsed and the priority of this matter to the Township of Montville, we are making this proposal which will be withdrawn by October 20, 2017. After that date, we will direct the Township Attorney to immediately commence the filing of suit in Superior Court in order to address this issue.”

They are also requesting for 2017 and beyond we will require a detailed analysis of costs and expenses charged to the Sewer Utility as well as a detailed calculation of the allocation methodology amongst the several municipal users.

Mayor James Barberio refused to comment on this story.

Click here to read a copy of Mayor James Sandham’s letter dated September 27, 2017.

Click here to read an email sent to Mayor James Barberio (second request) asking for comment to the story. An additional request was sent on Friday, October 13 to Mayor James Barberio, Council President Louis Valori, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Councilman Michael dePierro, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., and Loretta Gragnani, which also went unanswered.

Editors Note: After the story was posted we did receive an email from Mayor James Barberio stating “Before you post the story the Township Attorney will be reporting on this issue.”  Parsippany Focus will update the story as soon as we receive a response from Township Attorney John Inglesino.

Bergman Real Estate Group and Time Equities unveil the new “Century Campus”

Frank L. Cahill
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Bergman Real Estate Group and Time Equities unveil the new “Century Campus”

PARSIPPANY — What was once a three-building office complex nestled in a former Mack-Cali corporate campus in Parsippany will soon become one of the hottest places to “live, work and play,” thanks to a $4.5 million capital improvement program and new state-of-the-art building upgrades and upscale amenities.

Bergman Real Estate Group, in partnership with Time Equities, Inc., announced its plans to introduce nearly a dozen trendsetting amenities to 4, 5 and 6 Century Drive, now known as “Century Campus.” The 280,000-square-foot office park is comprised of three class B buildings, acquired last year from Mack-Cali by Bergman Real Estate Group and Time Equities, Inc. The property was 50 percent leased at the time of acquisition.

According to Michael Bergman, president and CEO of Bergman Real Estate Group, Century Campus reflects a 21st-century approach to the work environment which has dedicated space for work and play, an inspiring environment which encourages productivity while retaining a commanding professional presence. These amenities include:

• A 4,500-square-foot executive lounge with a staffed espresso bar
• Media center with state-of-the-art screens and other multimedia equipment
• Seating areas outfitted with modern, comfortable furniture
• Co-working executive suites with glass walls sized for startups and entrepreneurs
• Game area with ping-pong and pool tables, TV and seating areas
• Shared conference and training center which tenants can use for large meetings, training sessions and more
• An art studio with instruction from local artists
• Upgraded full service Café with new seating and decor
• A massage room
• An app-based bike-sharing program which tenants can use to ride to lunch or travel around Century Campus
• Newly landscaped grounds with walking paths, seating areas and a Bocce ball court
• A fully-equipped gym and yoga studio coming in 2018

“The suburban office market needs to adapt and change to support how people work today,” Bergman said. “We’re creating a space for people not only to relax and help their productivity, but where they can actually conduct business or hold meetings as well,” Bergman said. “Such a state-of-the-art environment is not only impressive to clients, but inspiring for the people who work there. We’re seeing this trend not just in New Jersey, but all throughout the country, and we are proud to create such a positive working atmosphere for current and future tenants alike at Century Campus.”

The game room, media center and executive lounge are slotted to open November 1, while the others will be completed in phases over the next several months. The bike sharing program is already available to Century Campus tenants.

According to Bergman, Century Campus will also undergo head-to-toe internal and external renovations. Extensive upgrades and renovations are being made to the buildings’ lobbies, corridors and bathrooms, as well as to landscaping, outdoor pathways and parking lots.
The renovations and amenities are already having a positive impact on Century Campus. Several new long-term leases have been signed since acquiring the property a year ago, improving the occupancy.

“People spend their day at the office, so we want to make it as pleasing and comfortable as possible,” Bergman said. “All the services one could possibly need to be comfortable are located in one place.”

Century Campus is located near the intersection of Route 10 and Route 202, close to three of the state’s most highly traveled highways – Interstates 287, 80 and 280. The complex is five minutes from the Morristown train station, a 35-minute drive to New York City and is close to Newark-Liberty International Airport.

Century Campus offers flexible floor plans with current availability ranging from 2,000 square feet to full-floor occupancies up to 35,000 square feet and a contiguous block of 60,000 square feet. For more information, click here.

Founded in 1988, Bergman Real Estate Group is a privately owned, full-service real estate investment and management company, with more than 28 years of operating history in New Jersey and other select markets. The company’s fully integrated platform includes acquisition, ownership, asset and property management, leasing and construction supervision. Bergman, which has built its success on acquiring and successfully repositioning underperforming properties, currently owns and manages 18 office buildings comprising 2.1 million square feet.

Founded in 1966, privately-held Time Equities, Inc. (TEI) has been in the real estate investment, development and asset & property management business for 50 years. With properties in 26 states, four Canadian provinces, Germany and the Netherlands, the TEI portfolio consists of approximately 23.4 million square feet of residential, industrial, office and retail property.Image Upload

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