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Kiwanis Club Donates School Supplies to the Needy
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Community Director Carol Tiesi, Kiwanis Club member Nicolas Limanov and President Frank Cahill visited Parsippany Health and Human Services and donated backpacks filled with school supplies. Each backpack is valued at $100.00.
Normally each year Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany members purchase and donate school supplies that are given to Health and Human Services to be distributed to families in need. But due to COVID-19, and our meetings have been virtual so Ms. Tiesi decided to purchase the backpacks filled with supplies to keep up with the Kiwanis tradition.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is the largest Kiwanis Club in the State of New Jersey with 80 members. New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany). Kiwanis members dedicate more than 6 million volunteer hours and invest more than $100 million in service projects that strengthen communities and serve children every year. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany ensures that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.
If you are interested in learning about our club, we currently meet weekly on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. via Zoom. (Join us by clicking here). For more information click here.
Parsippany Food Pantry is located at Parsippany Community Center, 1130 Knoll Road
Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034. Phone: (973) 263-7163; Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Riverdale Coach Charged With Sexual Assault
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Riverdale Police Department Chief Kevin Smith announce the arrest of Alejandro Almazan, 33, Pompton Lakes.
Almazan has been charged with two counts of Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2b, crimes of the second degree; Endangering the Welfare of Children, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), a crime of the third degree; and Lewdness, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4b(1), a crime of the fourth degree.
It is alleged that on August 9, 2020, the 11-year-old female victim had a private soccer lesson with the defendant.
The defendant is known to the victim as he is her coach through the Ramapo Youth Soccer Association.
During the lesson, the defendant had the victim jog with him to a private area within Independence Field in Riverdale. During this time, the defendant contacted the child’s intimate body parts over her clothing.
The victim also disclosed that the defendant pulled up his shorts and exposed his penis to her.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and the Riverdale Police Department, whose efforts contributed to the investigation of the matter. Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to call Det. Lydia Negron of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6213 or the Riverdale Police Department at (973) 835-0034.
Table of Hope to Conduct Food and School Backpack Distribution Event at CCM
MORRIS COUNTY — Table of Hope, with the support of local officials and other organizations serving Morris County, will be holding another food distribution event at County College of Morris (CCM) on Saturday, August 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Parking Lot 1 on the CCM campus.
Along with distributing food, backpacks with school supplies will be available for children to help them start their year off strong. All Morris County residents are welcome to come for the distribution. Visitors are asked to use the college’s Dover Chester Road entrance. Face coverings are required for everyone who comes to campus.
The distribution will provide individuals and families with fresh produce, meat, dairy, canned goods, and other groceries. It will operate as a contactless drive-through event with cars stopping at different food stations categorized by food type where volunteers will place bags or boxes into automobile trunks. There also will be a station to distribute backpacks with school supplies. CCM hosted a similar event for Table of Hope this past June. Serving as volunteers and welcoming speakers at that event were New Jersey First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, State Senator Anthony M. Bucco, and Freeholders John Krickus and Stephen Shaw.
Shortly after COVID-19 struck, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, pastor of Bethel Church of Morristown, converted the Table of Hope bus that was used to pick up food so it could be utilized for mobile food distribution. Williams is the founder of the Spring Street Community Development Corporation that operates Table of Hope and other programs to improve the lives of individuals and families in Morris County.
Assisting Table of Hope with this latest distribution are Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, a CCM graduate, the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and approximately 40 volunteers, including numerous CCM employees and students. Serving as sponsors are the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Morris Habitat for Humanity, the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, Market Street Mission, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Pi Theta Omega Chapter, Valley Bank, and Alstede Farms.
“We are delighted to partner with CCM so that we can reach a greater number of Morris County residents,” said Williams.
“While the past five months have been difficult and challenging for so many, it’s also been so very heartwarming to see how the Morris County community has come together to help those in need,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, CCM president. “The CCM community is proud to call Morris County home. We’re delighted to partner once again with Table of Hope and Morris County’s Freeholders, Chamber of Commerce, Sherriff’s Office, and others to host this event, along with providing staff and students to serve as volunteers. As community organizations, we are all committed to doing all we can to strengthen the communities we serve.”
“Morris County is blessed to have folks who don’t hesitate to pull together when others are in need, during this time as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers,” said Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon. “I am honored and humbled to work with County College of Morris, its President Dr. Anthony Iacono, Table of Hope and Rev. Sidney Williams and his wife, Teresa, and the Morris County Board of Freeholders for a second time on easing the burden on families by providing food to them.”
“The great work being done by Table of Hope and other food pantries in Morris County has been exemplary,” said Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, liaison to the county’s Human Services agencies. “Without their dedication, many people in our county, who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, would be hard-pressed to feed their families. We strongly back their efforts.”
In March, Table of Hope began operating weekly mobile food distribution programs in Morristown, Parsippany, and Dover, along with additional grocery supply events in other Morris County communities. Prior to COVID-19, its pantry in Morristown served about 65 people weekly. The number now being served each week at each mobile distribution event averages 500 to 600, reports Teresa Williams, executive director of the Spring Street Community Development Center. To date, more than 18,500 individuals and families have been helped and over 899,300 pounds of food has been distributed.
Table of Hope also operates a soup kitchen that during the pandemic has continued to provide dinners as take-out service. Table of Hope receives food from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, local farms, and foodservice companies. To volunteer or make a donation, visit the Spring Street CDC by clicking here.
Along with Table of Hope, numerous other services are available to assist residents in Morris County’s 39 municipalities who are in need of food. A list of available food services, including food pantries, volunteer shopper organizations, meal delivery services, and take-out meal services click here.
PACC Welcomes New Member: Paul Ciavarella, Allied Wealth Partners
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member Paul Ciavarella, Allied Wealth Partners.
Paul Ciavarella joined Allied Wealth Partners in 2017 after over eight years of success assisting clients with their finances.
Prior to his career as a financial advisor, Paul was a business owner. His 25 years of experience as a business owner enables him to provide a wealth of information to his clients. Paul focuses on helping small and medium-sized business owners attain their goals. His association with other experienced financial professionals allows him to offer a full range of services to meet the needs of businesses and individuals alike.
Through his experience and association with other specialists in the financial services industry, Paul has high standards when it comes to assisting clients. Paul’s goal as a financial advisor is to help bring a level of financial protection and independence to his clients that they had thought previously unattainable. This is accomplished through various conservative strategies of protection and long term financial growth.
Paul utilizes a macroeconomic approach to help clients balance the primary financial domains of Protection, Assets, Liabilities, and Cash Flow. This approach recognizes the interdependence of these domains and tests all financial strategies across them in an effort to maximize the protection and performance of assets and cash flow. This unique approach can help provide clients with enhanced benefits in areas such as tax savings, risk management, and control of personal wealth.
Paul is very active in his community. He is a member of Wayne Lions Club, Morris County Chamber of Commerce, North Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, and Pequannock Regional Chamber of Commerce. Paul has attained several designations over the years. These include his FINRA Series 7, 65, and 66. He is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc., Life and Health Licensed, and holds the CLTC (Certified in Long-Term Care) designation.
Paul is a William Patterson alumnus where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Minor in Economics. He is a resident of Pompton Plains. Golfing, mountain biking, and spending time with his wife Eileen and children Maggie, John, Rachel, and Chris are some things that Paul enjoys.
You can reach Paul by calling (973) 917-2903 or email pciavarella@alliedwealthpartners.com.
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce is a service organization for businesses, merchants, residents and volunteers that provides education, information, and networking opportunities to the Parsippany area. For more information call (973) 402-6400 or click here.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting – August 18, 2020
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting – August 18, 2020
Click here to download the agenda.
Discriminatory Action Against People with Disabilities
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate sends a letter to Governor Phil Murphy and Robert Asaro-Angelo regarding “Discriminatory action against people with disabilities.”
A copy of the letter is printed verbatim.
Governor Phil Murphy
225 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Robert Asaro-Angelo
Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Plaza
13th FL Suite D
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
Dear Governor Murphy and Commissioner Asaro-Angelo:
Having a daily and weekly regimen plays a key role in the life of New Jersey’s citizens with disabilities. Equally important is the sense of purpose and well-being they feel when they have a job that bestows responsibility upon them and allows them to make a genuine contribution to society through employment.
On March 15, 2020, a letter was disseminated by Robert Asaro-Angelo, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, ordering all Extended Employment programs to cease on or before March 17, 2020. As a result, 2,750 members of the special needs community who worked in the many extended employment facilities throughout NJ were sent home to their families or group homes to languish.
In total, 2,750 individuals and their families have been impacted by the Labor Commissioner’s letter. Most of these jobs were in light manufacturing which remained open throughout the pandemic to employees without disabilities. The manufacturing processes of these Extended Employment entities serve a multitude of businesses throughout the state of New Jersey including multiple telecommunications, manufacturing, food, and cosmetic companies that cannot go without these critical parts of their supply chain. As a result, temporary workers are staffing the facilities normally staffed by members of special needs community.
In short, almost 3,000 members of the special needs community from the state of New Jersey are being discriminated against by being kept from their jobs; jobs that remain open and are being temporarily filled by other staff members until the members of the special needs community are permitted to return to work.
The special needs community has been historically and routinely discriminated against,
particularly in the area of employment. Now, programs designed to allow a group of protected citizens to enjoy participation in and contribution to society along with the rest of the population; as well as the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from an honest day’s work have been taken away from them. What makes this even harder to accept is the fact that the discrimination, in this case, comes from the state, the very entity that should be protecting the rights of people with disabilities. The undersigned, on behalf of the disability community, would like to know how this discrimination can be justified by the state.
New Jersey’s special needs citizens deserve to be afforded equal protection of their civil rights, on par with their peers, including the very basic right to work.
The nonprofit community rehabilitation programs that provide employment for people with disabilities are in the best position to protect the people with disabilities they serve while also fostering their continued growth, sense of self-worth, and well-being. The community rehabilitation programs responsible for these services have put in place lengthy and detailed protocols and best practices with regard to COVID-19 that have been reviewed and supported by a variety of disability and public health professionals.
Although the initial intent was to protect, the harm to members of the disability community as a result of the continuation of this discriminatory policy far outweighs the benefit at this time. In light of the above and the Americans with Disabilities Act the undersigned, on behalf of the disabilities community, petition the Labor Commissioner and Governor Murphy to lift this discriminatory mandate and allow the special needs, citizens of the state of New Jersey, to exercise their constitutional right to pursue life liberty and happiness.
Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling
Click here to download a copy of the letter.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Return to School Update
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Return to School Update
Click here to download “Parsippany Return to School Plan”
Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board Meeting – August 17, 2020
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board Meeting – August 17, 2020
Click here to view the agenda.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting – August 12, 2020
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board Meeting – August 12, 2020
Parsippany Community Update August 19, 2020
PARSIPPANY — Please join us in welcoming the Township’s new Business Administrator Frederick C. Carr.
Parsippany Hires Frederick Carr as Business Administrator
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Frederick C. Carr, was appointed as Business Administrator on Tuesday, August 18, in a unanimous 5-0 vote. (Resolution: R2020-164).
Carr will begin his new position on August 19. He’ll work with outgoing Business Administrator Keith Kazmark, who is leaving the position at the end of the month to become a full-time administrator in Woodland Park, his hometown. Mayor Soriano said “From West Point to Town Hall, Frederick Carr has demonstrated his tremendous leadership and management abilities,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “He comes to Parsippany with among the most sterling resumes for a Business Administrator in the state of New Jersey. I’m thrilled that our residents will benefit from an administrator of this caliber.”
Mr. Carr has over 20 years of experience in municipal management that includes serving as a Business Administrator in the City of Perth Amboy, Borough of South River, Bloomfield Township, Matawan Borough, Cranbury Township, and out-of-state in Caney, Kansas. Throughout his years of work, he also served as the Senior Manager for Jersey Professional Management (JPM) located in Cranford.
Recently, Carr was the Business Administrator of the City of Perth Amboy until July 21, when several Perth Amboy officials were notified that Carr received a telephone call from Mayor Wilda Diaz informing him his role as business administrator had been terminated. He was appointed on January 22, 2019.
Parsippany Zoning Board Attorney Peter King, and Perth Amboy Law Director, said Carr’s departure was “an amicable separation.” “There are no issues or problems with him (Carr),” King said. “I think both parties agreed to it.”
In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Carr served our country in the Gulf War and held several command and staff positions in the United States Army for 12 years, including Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader and Corp Staff Officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his superior performance during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
Mr. Carr has a Bachelor’s Degree from United States Military Academy at West Point in General Engineering and he holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Mr. Carr is known for his professionalism and years of leadership experience among many in the State. He is well respected for his leadership style and for providing effective management in operational budget preparation and execution, long-term planning, facilities management, and administrative oversight.
Carr’s strengths lie particularly in overseeing capital improvements, labor utilization, facilities management, transportation planning, and allocation. He also has experience managing electric utilities and Emergency Management reimbursement in his previous role as a response to Superstorm Sandy.
Freeholders Oppose Primarily Mail-in Ballot System for November Election
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders have passed a resolution unanimously asking the Governor and state Legislature to reject a primarily mail-in voting system for the November General Election, and to consider safe COVID-19 options for in-person voting, instead.
The freeholders contend the practice of an almost-100-percent mail-in-ballot election is fraught with concerns about voter fraud, voter disenfranchisement, postal delivery delays, a significant increase in election costs, and reliance on a flawed statewide voter/DMV computer registration database, plus significant delays in counting ballots.
Sending out 220,000 mail-in ballots for the July primary election resulted in a cost Morris County about $1.1 million, or an $807,000 increase compared to the 2019 primary election. Mailing an expected 370,000 ballots for the November election could almost double that cost and offer more election problems.
“Many of our residents are very upset about mail-in balloting, and have expressed their disdain about losing their choice on how to vote,’’ said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith. “The Board of Freeholders feel strongly that voter “choice” should refer to “how” to vote, not just “who” to vote for in a given election cycle.’’
Rather than mail-in balloting, the freeholders are urging the state to utilize in-person machine voting, with consideration of multiple days of voting and/or use of outdoor spaces for added safety, in conjunction with mail-in balloting.
The freeholders urge smart alternatives for in-person voting that would provide more opportunities and more days to vote, and more locations to safely vote. These options easily could accommodate the need to face coverings and social distancing.
The freeholders, in their resolution, noted that well before the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey law already permitted voting by mail, if a resident requested it. So, voters who are even remotely concerned about in-person voting already have the option to request a mail-in ballot, thereby enhancing voter choice.
The freeholders have sent their resolution to Gov. Phil Murphy, New Jersey Secretary of State; President of the State Senate; Speaker of the Assembly; the Morris County legislative delegation, New Jersey Association of Counties, and all other boards of freeholders across the state.
COVID-19: Cyber Criminals Pose as CDC with “Alert” about Facility Closing
MORRIS COUNTY — Cyber scammers are trying to take advantage of the COVID pandemic by getting Morris County residents to click on an internet link with “information” supposedly sent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warns the Morris County Office of Information Technology.
The scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to find creative ways to weaken your defenses.
In this instance, a supposed CDC email includes the following intense subject line: “NOTICE OF CLOSING YOUR FACILITY AND DISINFECTING THE AREA – BY NCDC WH 20982 COV-19 Due To Recent Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic.”
You are instructed to download an attachment that is supposedly a letter from the CDC claiming they will close your workplace. If you download the file, however, you will find that it is actually a malicious program designed to gain access to your organization’s sensitive information.
How to beat the bad guys:
- Think before you click. These malicious actors are playing with your emotions and this threat relies on panicked clicking.
- Never click a link or download an attachment from an email you weren’t expecting. Remember, even if the sender appears to be from a legitimate organization, the email address could be spoofed.
- If you receive a suspicious email that claims to be from an official organization, such as the CDC or World Health Organization (WHO), report the email to the official organization through their website.
Stop Look Think – Don’t be fooled!
Get more information on COVID-19 scams from the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here.
Township Council Agenda Meeting for Tuesday, August 18
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its regularly scheduled council meeting Tuesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held via a web conferencing program named WebEx. This program will allow the public to listen in to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only. This program uses a “raise hand” button in the software to address those who wish to speak during the public portion.
Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to speak during the public portion, they will need to provide their first name, last name, email address, address, and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.
- Click here to download the council meeting agenda.
- A WebEx link to access the meeting will be available shortly.
For more information, please contact the Township Clerk’s office at (973) 263-4351 or email pthclerk@parsippany.net.
An Update from Dr. Barbara Sargent: iPad or Chromebook for Seventh Grade Students
PARSIPPANY — An open letter from Dr. Barbara Sargent.
Dear Parsippany-Troy Hills Seventh Grade Families,
For the past several years, the district has piloted a 1:1 device initiative at our high schools that have provided students the opportunity to have either an iPad or Chromebook to use at school and at home for their academic studies.
The goals of the 1:1 program include:
- Provide equity to all students through common technological device access;
- Facilitate students’ confidence and proficiency in using technology as a tool to enhance learning;
- Promote opportunities for students to demonstrate the ethics and etiquette necessary with technology use;
- Offer access to all information anytime, anywhere.
All high school students are provided with Chromebooks for use at school and home for their academic studies. As we expand our initiative into lower grades, we are excited to provide a Chromebook to 7th-grade students. Students in Grades 6 and 8 will still have access to devices separate from this 1:1 initiative, and Grade 6 students are scheduled to receive their own Chromebooks later in the school year.
Mr. Gray and Ms. Stout will communicate separately about the procedures for getting Chromebooks to the 7th-grade students. Please look for messages from Central and Brooklawn Middle Schools for further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara Sargent
Superintendent of Schools
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill adds Second Zoom Meeting
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilmembers Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson hosted a successful town hall Zoom call with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill last week. The call was not without some unexpected technical issues as hundreds of people attempted to join the call but were told that they were overcapacity.
According to an email sent out to attendees of the event by Mikie Sherrill’s Political Director, Ben Silva, the attendee capacity was exceeded following a surge of enthusiasm around the event, with sources indicating that there was an excess of 300 people who attempted to join the meeting. As a result, there will be a second Sherrill Zoom call on Tuesday, August 18. To register, visit mobilize.us/sherrillforcongress or pardems.org.
Safety, Assurance and Enrichment Found in the Y’s After School Program
MOUNTAIN LAKES — While the new school year may look different than before, one thing remains the same: the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA’s afterschool program continues to be a place where children can remain active, learning and engaged during their time out of school – a critical time for all school-age children, especially as they continue to adjust to the many changes related to COVID-19. Each year, the Y works to provide engaging activities in a caring and safe environment after school, and this year will be no different.
“The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA has served the local community for more than 45 years, during which we have made it through many challenging times together, none perhaps as impactful as COVID-19,” said Rosemary Linder Day, Director of Marketing. “As an organization dedicated to youth development, we know how important it is that our children have a safe and enriching environment for learning, both in and out of school. We are pleased to be able to provide this space to the children in our community, allowing their invaluable social, emotional, physical, and academic growth to continue long after the school day ends.
The Y’s afterschool program provides care for hundreds of children during the school year. Through a balanced approach to youth development, the program offers activities, mentorship, and academic support, nurturing the potential of all participants throughout the school year. Financial assistance is available to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y. As many school districts are planning to use a rotating on-site/virtual schedule, the Y is also modifying its afterschool schedule to better support families when their children are learning virtually. Participants in the afterschool program will be able to come to the Y on-site when not in school. Parents should call Shannon Bujoreanu at (973) 507-7037 for more information, or email
Shannonb@Lhymca.com.
In order to help keep kids and staff healthy and safe throughout the school year, the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, following CDC, state and local requirements and guidelines, has adopted several changes to its day-to-day operations, including:
• Mask requirements for staff and children
• Daily health screenings for children and staff
• Reduced capacity in group activities
• Participants will be grouped into “neighborhoods”
All information on the Y’s children’s programs is online by clicking here.
About the Y
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. Click here for more information.
Letter to the Editor: Where is “our Attorney General and the Voice of the Supreme Court, Third Branch of Government?
Dear Editor:
I am outraged that President Trump is aware that the U.S. Postal Service will need additional funding to handle the mail-in election ballots, but he refuses to provide any additional assistance. In my opinion, this is a blatant attempt to cry foul if Joe Biden wins this election. I believe Donald Trump will manipulate the mail-in ballot system to his advantage. This is another example of our self-serving president, who runs the county like his former game show “The Apprentice”.
The country is in crisis. We need solid leadership, not some politician that puts his personal interests before the interests of the country. The economy is important, but more important are the lives of the American people. This pandemic has shown the true colors of this politician. Send kids back to school before getting a handle on the numbers for the state’s rate of transmission, cut back on the additional unemployment benefits but attempt to earmark funds for a new FBI building, force mother’s back to work who are caring for young children whose daycares have closed, neglect to put the proper emphasis on the serious nature of the pandemic. SHAME ON YOU.
What America needs right now is enough food to feed the hungry, financial support so that people can keep their homes and apartments, stricter penalties for people who refuse to wear a mask in retail stores, faster turnaround time for COVID-19 testing and follow-up contact tracing, support for small businesses to keep them from having to close their doors, and other support to keep the American people afloat until the crisis has passed.
We are not political pawns. We are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, and uncles trying to protect our families from the horrors of this pandemic. Our lives are hard. Many people are juggling jobs, childcare, and family responsibilities while barely having enough to eat and pay their bills. Oh yeah, I know that to President Trump this sounds like we are bleeding heart liberals or socialists but on the contrary, we are all just trying to survive.
I am asking politicians to think of us as people, not pawns on a chessboard. Stop earmarking funds for your own political gains in bills that are supposed to assist the “common” people through this crisis. Republicans and Democrats have to stop blackmailing each other at the expense of their constituents before they can reach a decision on a bill that will assist the American people during this pandemic. While you debate, a mother is wondering how she will feed her children next week, a father is wondering if he will have a job tomorrow, an aunt does not know if she will be able to make her rent payment and an uncle does not know if he will have enough money to keep his utilities running or make his car payment. The reality is salaries barely cover rent (mortgages), utilities, health insurance, and phone service even when times are good.
The government should represent us, remember “we the people”. We should not be carrying the government on our backs. It’s time for politicians to step-up and put personal needs aside and concentrate on the needs of the people and disregard race, creed, political affiliation, and more importantly their own personal agendas.
Diane Kerns
Friend of Parsippany Resident
Forked River, NJ 08731