Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Agenda Meeting – August 5, 2019 – Part 2
Kiwanis Club donates to CASA
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation presented CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) with a donation at their weekly breakfast meeting held at Empire Diner.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President Frank Cahill presented Lisa Firkser, Executive Director, CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, with a check for $3,600. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher looks on.
The donation was in conjunction with a matching grant from New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation.
The purpose of the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation, of which every Kiwanian in New Jersey is a member, is to provide financial assistance to service programs that agree with and support the objectives of Kiwanis International and the New Jersey District of Kiwanis International. This purpose is achieved by making financial grants to Kiwanis family sponsored programs and to Kiwanis service programs, the scope of which is beyond the means of individual Kiwanians, Kiwanis clubs, or local club foundations.
CASA’s mission is to speak up for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. They recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers who provide a voice in court to assure each child a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
CASA is the only court-authorized advocacy program for children and youth in foster care in Morris and Sussex Counties.
CASA programs bring better tomorrows to vulnerable children.
Child Advocacy: Children who are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment and living in foster homes or residential facilities are assigned to CASA volunteers for advocacy in the Family Court system. Our trained volunteers make recommendations to the court for critical community resources and services to improve a child’s stability and outcomes and ensure that each child is in a safe, nurturing and permanent home as soon as possible.
Family Drug Court: This important program provides treatment and services for substance-abusing parents whose children have been placed in foster care as the result of child abuse and neglect. The services provided are designed to successfully rehabilitate the parents, balance child safety and permanency and work toward family reunification or another safe, nurturing placement for the child.
Fostering Futures: This unique program integrates coaching, connecting, and mentoring services meant to build self-confidence and empower youth to transform their lives beyond the foster care system into adulthood. Youth ages 14-21 benefit from an integrated, proactive approach prior to aging out of the system that empowers them to be their own advocates, discuss their dreams for their future and work toward realistic goal setting with concrete life skills and strategies.
With a CASA volunteer, a child is half as likely to languish in the foster care system, and that much more likely to find a safe, nurturing, permanent home.
To volunteer and make a profound difference in the life of an abused or neglected child, become a CASA volunteer by calling (973) 998-7590.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports ten K-Kids clubs, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School, Intervale School, Mt. Tabor Elementary School, Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club. In addition, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports a Circle K Club at Seton Hall University.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany raises funds and donates to the Parsippany Food Pantry, Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, Parsippany PAL Youth Center, Parsippany High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Hills High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Child Day Center, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, Camp Nejeda, NJ Sharing Network, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Parsippany, Parsippany Project Graduation, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, CASA, Family Promise of Morris County, Parsippany Little League West, Parsippany Little League East to name a few.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46, Parsippany.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here. To join online click here.
National Night Out event in Parsippany aims to build relationships between police, community
PARSIPPANY — As attendees were arriving at the PAL Youth Center and Smith Field, the downpour of rain started and everyone ran for cover. At first people felt the event would be rained out, but after about fifteen minutes the rain stopped and cleared up for the event which had almost 5,000 attendees.
Similar events are held nationwide and are a chance for law enforcement and emergency personnel to build relationships and promote neighborhood camaraderie. It’s the first time the event has been held in Parsippany, previously residents had to attend National Night Out at Mennen Arena.
ShopRite Catering, Anthony Franco’s, Parsippany’s Best Pizza, Kona Ice were on hand cooking and serving hot dogs, pizza, penne pasta and other delicious items.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano said “I am proud to finally have National Night Out occur in our township. Parsippany is the largest township in Morris County, and National Night Out is a celebration for all of our residents and a great celebration for the men and women of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, as well as the staff and volunteers of our PAL. As our first National Night Out, we will continue to make sure it gets even better every year.”
“Hosting our first annual National Night Out here in Parsippany-Troy Hills, was a true partnership between the PAL and the PTHPD. It was a perfect way to bring the community together to support law enforcement, engage our community partners and our first responders. The turn-out, even with the weather, was beyond our expectations and was also a great new beginning for our Parsippany PAL,” said Sam Yodice, Parsippany PAL Executive Director.
The fun included free bean bag toss, raffle wheels, music by a D.J., Italian ice, face painting, carnival games and prizes, inflatable rides and bouncy houses. There was even a dunk tank where kids could dunk one of Parsippany’s finest.
“Parsippany Police proudly held our first National National Night Out; a groundbreaking initiative and tremendous effort by our Community Policing Division Officers and Youth Services Counselor. Seeing so many of our School District students with their Police Trading Cards in hand, parents and residents interacting with PTHPD Officer’s (especially at the dunk-tank) and with our excellent volunteer Emergency Services personnel was incredibly rewarding! Special thanks to all PTHPD Officers who worked extremely hard ensuring everyone’s safe walking and driving to the event, Sam Yodice and Ashley Garofalo at the PAL; and especially to Community Policing Lieutenant Ron Carrozzino, Sgt. Alan Griffin (Grif), Officer Remo D’ Alessandro and Youth Services Section counselor Sunny Fullerton who’s initiative and efforts made this all possible and successfully happen,” Said Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Andrew Miller.
Dozens of vendors were also set up for local groups and businesses, and for sponsors, such as WISE Animal Rescue, Chick-fil-A, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Lakeland Hills YMCA, Orange Theory Fitness, Parsippany PBA Local 131, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2, Parsippany Animal Control, Liquid Church, Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance, Morris County Sheriff’s Hope One, Parsippany-Troy Hills Elks Lodge #2078, and Girls on the Run.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.
Parsippany resident arrested on warrants in Hanover Township
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — On Tuesday, July 16, Hanover Township Police Officers Josh Williams, Megan Pritchard and Eric Prach arrested Mr. Glenn Hornecker, 34, Parsippany, Ms. Leah Klotzke, 30, currently residing at the Americas Best Value Inn and Mr. Chad Hayes, 46, Morris Plains for multiple drug offenses and warrants.
The officers were conducting foot patrol of the hotel property when they overheard a conversation about possible prostitution coming from one of the rooms.
A check of the room registry provided them with the name of the occupant, Mr. Hornecker.
A check of Mr. Hornecker resulted in locating an active $2500.00 warrant. The officers responded to the room and made contact with Mr. Hornecker and two other quests, Ms. Klotzke and Mr. Hayes.
Mr. Hornecker was advised of the active warrant and was arrested. While speaking with the occupants of the room drug paraphernalia was observed in plain view.
An investigation followed resulting in both Ms. Klotzke and Mr. Hayes being arrested.
The three individuals were transported to Hanover Police Headquarters for processing. Mr. Hornecker was released after posting bail on his warrant.
Mr. Hayes was charged with Possession of CDS, Possession of prescription legend drugs, Possession of hypodermic needles and Possession of drug paraphernalia. He was then released pending his court date.
Ms. Klotzke was charged with Defrauding a drug test, Hindering apprehension, Failure to give CDS to law enforcement ands Possession of drug paraphernalia. She had several active warrants totaling $1450.00. She was transported to Morris County Correctional Facility pending her court date.
<strong><em>Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.</em></strong>
Registration for Parsippany PAL Redhawks Football
PARSIPPANY — Registration for Parsippany PAL Redhawks Football is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 and Wednesday, August 6 at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.
Your registered must be paid in full to receive equipment.
Representative Sherrill Visits Zufall Health Center for National Health Center Week
PARSIPPANY — Representative Sherrill (NJ-11) visited Zufall Health Center in Morristown to mark National Health Center Week. Zufall is part of a nationwide network of locally-run health centers that serve more than 28 million people nationwide. Health centers are on the front lines of national public health challenges – whether caring for veterans, providing opioid addiction treatment, addressing mental illness, or responding to natural disasters.
“Health Centers are critical resources for families in our community and across the country,” Representative Sherrill said. “Zufall Health Center in Morristown provides a wide range of medical, dental, and wellness services regardless of ability to pay, including pediatrics, HIV testing, cancer screenings, sexual assault support services, and so much more. Their mobile services reach directly into the community with vital medical and dental screenings that many would never access otherwise. The theme of this year’s National Health Center Week is ‘Rooted in Community,’ and Zufall lives that example every day.”
Sherrill has been a champion of health centers in Congress. Last week, her bipartisan family health information center legislation, the Family-to-Family Health Information Center Reauthorization Act of 2019, passed the House and Senate and has been sent to the president’s desk for a five-year reauthorization.
Sherrill said last week: “I am proud that both the House and Senate unanimously agreed to support Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, and I urge the President to swiftly sign this bill into law. Family-to-Family Health Information Centers provide families of children with special healthcare needs with the tools and assistance necessary to effectively navigate our nation’s complex health care system. The continuity of funding provided through this bill will enable F2F HICs to retain experienced staff, engage in future planning, and continue to empower and support children and families in New Jersey and across the country.”
Reminder: Township Council Meeting to be held on Monday, August 5
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council will hold an agenda meeting on Monday, August 5 starting at 7:00 p.m. at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
This meeting is rescheduled from Tuesday, August 6. The August 6 meeting will not be held due to National Night Out.
The public is invited to attend all meetings. A portion of each meeting will be set aside for public comment. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings. Ending time is approximate.
Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the American with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please call (973) 263-4351 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.
Morris Habitat Receives Grant from Provident Bank
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris Habitat for Humanity recently received a grant of $10,000 from Provident Bank Foundation to help fund its Neighborhood Revitalization/Aging in Place program. This important program helps low income home owner families maintain their homes. Projects have included home repairs and weatherization, construction projects, and community park renovations.
Funding from The Provident Bank Foundation will support repairs to improve the accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency of low income seniors’ homes. Living in unsafe and unhealthy homes can mean emotional and financial devastation, and a simple modification like a smoke detector or hand rail can enable seniors to maintain their financial stability and independence while living safely in the home and community of their choice.
“This generous gift from the Provident Bank Foundation will help families stay in their homes by supporting our Neighborhood Revitalization and Aging in Place programs,” said Morris Habitat for Humanity CEO, Blair Schleicher Bravo. “Provident Bank Foundation’s long time support of Morris Habitat for Humanity helps us further our commitment to providing decent, safe and affordable housing for people in the community.”
The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $24 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities.
For more information click here or call (862) 260-3990.
Dollar Store replacing Quick Chek
PARSIPPANY — Every Dollar Store Inc. has applied to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Building Department for building, plumbing, electrical and fire prevention permits to renovation the former Quick Chek location in the Troy Shopping Center located at 480 North Beverwyck Road.
The former Quick Chek occupied 2,800 square feet. The new store will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. according to the application.
The property owner is Troy Investment and managed by The Heller Group, Madison.
Quick Chek closed on Friday, November 2, 2018.
The Lake Hiawatha QuickChek opened in 1977 and has been a staple in the area for 41 years and is missed by many. The Lake Hiawatha location was outdated compared to the newer millennial-friendly concept stores.
Lake Hiawatha man charged with hit-and-run death of a 12-year-old
PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany man has been arrested and charged in connection with the hit-and-run incident that left, Jeremy Maraj, 12-year-old child fatally injured in Union on Wednesday, July 17, said Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Union Police Director Daniel Zieser.
Jose V. Marrero, 37, Lake Hiawatha, turned himself in to authorities Friday evening and is charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident in connection with the death of Jeremy Maraj of Union.
Union Police Department patrol units responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle just before 8:00 p.m. in the area of Forest Drive and Galloping Hill Road in Union, according to the investigation.
Maraj was rushed to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead two days later.
A joint investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force and Union Police Department revealed that Marrero was driving his work vehicle, a Nissan NV200 cargo van, when he struck Maraj.
Marrero was lodged in Union County Jail after turning himself in, pending a first appearance and detention hearing to take place in Superior Court during the coming days.
Anyone with information about this matter still is being urged to contact Task Force Detective Sean Holcomb at (908) 358-8377 or Union Police Officer Michael Salerno at (908) 851-5070.
Convictions on second-degree criminal charges are commonly punishable by five to ten years in state prison.
Editor’s Note: These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Results of Annual Homeless Count
MORRIS COUNTY — A federally required annual county of homeless persons in New Jersey, including breakouts for Morris County and all 20 other counties in the state, has found a slight decrease in homeless numbers, according to a snapshot taken statewide in January of this year.
In a report released this week, #NJCounts 2019 found 8,864 men, women and children, in 6,748 households, experienced homelessness across New Jersey. This number decreased by 439 persons of 5 percent from 2018.
In Morris County, on a count taken on the night of January 22, a total of 288 households, including 388 individuals were found to experiencing homelessness, according to the 2019 Point-InTime Count, which was done by a host of county and local social services representatives and volunteers. The numbers show an overall increase of 4 persons, or 1 percent, from 2015 to 2019.
Of those Morris County residents counted this year, 65 persons were identified as chronically homeless and 42 were not sheltered on the night of the count.
Over this five-year period there was a five percent increase in persons staying in emergency shelter and a 24 percent increase in unsheltered persons, but there was a ten percent decrease in persons staying in transitional housing between 2015 and 2019. The report also found that 36 percent of the homeless household respondents in Morris County in 2019 reported that their last permanent address prior to becoming homeless was outside of the county.
The full statewide report and county by county reports are available by clicking here.
Some key statewide findings of the NJCounts 2019 as compared to NJCounts 2018 include:
- 1,462 persons, in 1,351 households, were identified as chronically homeless, representing 16.5 of the total homeless population, an increase of 174 persons, or 13.5 percent, from 2018;
- 1,482 persons were living without shelter, showing a decrease of 141 persons of 9 percent;
- 992 households were counted as families, showing a 6 percent decrease in family homelessness (a family is defined as a household with at least one child under the age of 18 and one adult);
- 34 unaccompanied youth under age 18 were identified in the count, which represents a 3 percent decrease in the number of unaccompanied homeless youth households.
“The count provides a consistent benchmark from which we can evaluate the effectiveness of strategies being implemented, the quality of data collection within communities, and the impact of larger societal factors,” said Taiisa Kelly, CEO of Monarch Housing Associates.
Counties across the state annually conduct NJCounts as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to secure federal funding for programs serving persons experiencing homelessness.
Commissioned by the N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Monarch Housing Associates coordinates NJCounts activities and completes analysis of data collected from the Point-in-Time survey.
Freeholders Seek Applicants for Three Seats on CCM Board of Trustees
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County residents interested in serving on the County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees are invited to send their resumes to a special trustee search committee of the Morris County Board of Freeholders.
Resumes must be received by the search committee by Friday, September 6. The committee will review all of the applications and then submit recommendations to the Board of Freeholders, who will make the appointments this fall.
Three four-year terms of freeholder-appointed trustees expire at the end of October. Those sitting trustees must reapply by the Friday, Sept. 6 deadline if they wish to be considered for reappointment.
To qualify for consideration by the search committee, a candidate must be a resident of Morris County for at least four years, and may not hold a current elected office in Morris County or be an employee of Morris County government or CCM.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate independent judgment, distinction in their profession, knowledge of higher education, and a firm commitment to serving the college. A candidate must be willing to commit at least 15-20 hours a month to his or duties as a college trustee to be considered for appointment.
Duties of trustees include appointing, supporting and evaluating the college president; clarifying and, if necessary, revising the college’s mission statement; ratifying long term plans; approving the college’s educational program; insuring fiscal viability; and maintaining the college’s physical plant.
The CCM search committee requests a resume and a background statement from each applicant outlining why he or she wishes to serve as a trustee and what specific skills the applicant would bring to the board.
Applicants must send one copy of their resume and a brief background statement to the Office of the Morris County Counsel, County of Morris, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, N.J. 07963-0900.
The County College of Morris Board of Trustees is composed of eleven Morris County residents from business, education, law and other professional fields, who volunteer their services in four-year terms.
By statute, eight members are appointed by the Morris County Board of Freeholders, and two members are appointed by the Governor. The Morris County Superintendent of Schools is also a member of the Board by statute. One non-voting CCM graduate member is elected for a one-year term by each year’s graduating class. In addition, the CCM President serves as an ex-officio member.
The Board of Trustees sets policy and has final authority over budgets and expenditures, and the President is responsible for internal administrative operations.
County to Begin Comprehensive Upgrade to Road Curve Warning Signs
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County is embarking on a countywide upgrade to curve warning signs along county roads that are located within all of the county’s 39 municipalities to meet federal government standards.
Work is expected to begin in August and continue into December to upgrade a curve sign network that, in many cases, dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, and was installed by the state Department of Transportation.
Morris County has awarded a $297,953 contract to LC Equipment of Tuckahoe to remove 2,121 existing curve warning signs and install nearly 2,800 new signs and signposts at 870 horizontal curves located on county roads.
The project is required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which has set a nationwide compliance date of Dec. 31, 2019 to meet new curve sign standards. The project will be funded by county tax dollars.
To prepare a plan for the sign upgrade, the county previously hired a consultant, Greenman-Pedersen (GPI).
The $176,997 contract required GPI’s team to drive all of the county’s roads to assess curves and determine appropriate advisory speed and sign placement in accordance with the new federal standards.
Changes in roadway design and consideration of modern motor vehicles were key factors in the development of the new standards.
GPI also will oversee the sign removal and installation project and inventory the newly installed signs for the county.
To see which signs are being added or replaced in your town click here.
Three Sheriff’s Office Superior Officers Retire After Combined 75 Years of Service
MORRIS COUNTY — Three Morris County Sheriff’s Office superior officers, two of whom helped probe some of the county’s most heinous or baffling crimes, retired as of Wednesday, July 31 with 75 years of experience between them.
The retirees, Sheriff’s Office Chief Edward Crooker, Detective Captain Bruce Dunn and Detective Lieutenant Philip DiGavero, all joined the Morris County Sheriff’s Office on July 18, 1994, as Corrections Officers who worked in the Correctional Facility and several years later transferred to the Bureau of Law Enforcement.
Chief Crooker spent nearly his entire career, 19 years, in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit. Detective Captain Dunn worked in the Protective Services Division and for many years in CSI, the unit that is responsible for collecting and analyzing evidence amassed from crimes throughout Morris County’s 39 municipalities.
Detective Lieutenant DiGavero is credited with overseeing the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit at one time, helping to electronically modernize evidence storage, and arranging with the Rockaway-based Prevention Is Key program (PIK) to have expired medication drop-off boxes at police departments that are collected, inventoried and destroyed by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Evidence Unit.
“These three Morris County Sheriff’s Office superior officers have served the county and the office with class and distinction by pouring their minds, hearts and souls into investigations and serving the public with integrity. I am proud to know them and to have worked beside them, and I wish them the best in the years ahead,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.
The three retirees all worked in the now-demolished Morris County jail that was replaced by a new facility that opened in Morris Township in 2000. Chief Crooker recalled how he also worked in the 1990s as a CSI detective in a dilapidated building on Washington Street in Morristown and then in another location before a state-of-the-art crime lab that today is the base of operations for CSI was opened in 2013.
Both Detective Captain Dunn and Chief Crooker worked in CSI on the investigation and successful prosecution of the killer of 10-year-old Walter Contreras Valenzuela in Morristown in May 2001. Chief Crooker matched a garden cultivator found near the child’s body to wounds on his head while Detective Captain Dunn located multiple items of evidence at the crime scene that gave detectives insight into the child’s final moments.
A friend of the Valenzuela family wrote a moving letter in 2008 that praised then-Sergeant Dunn’s involvement in the probe and trial.
“I feel his work was phenomenal and done in such a professional manner that his investigation was never questioned. I cannot express in words how important he is to the Valenzuela family and those that love them. Without his skills we know that perhaps there may have been a different outcome in the trial. We are eternally grateful to him and feel very blessed to know that we are under the protection of the very competent Morris County Sheriff’s Department,” the friend wrote.
Detective Captain Dunn also had the ingenious idea of lifting fingerprints from a decayed body found in 2002 that involved soaking the skin in glycerol for 24 hours and placing the skin over a detective’s fingers and rolling for prints. The prints of the deceased woman were on file in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which led to her identification.
“I’m very lucky to have had a good career,” Detective Captain Dunn said.
Besides cases of bank robberies, fatal crashes, robberies and other crimes, both Detective Captain Dunn and Chief Crooker worked on the high-profile 2002 double murders of Jeffrey Eresman and Erik Rewoldt at the Funcoland video game store in Roxbury, and assisted federal officials in executing search warrants after the largest mass murder through acts of terrorism in America on Sept. 11, 2001.
Chief Crooker worked on multiple major crimes, including the killing of Father Edward Hinds in 2009 in Chatham Borough, but he has never forgotten a simple event that ended well. He was called out to process the scene of what a homeowner thought was a burglary but Chief Crooker, then a CSI detective, was able to find the woman’s missing ring under a bed.
Chief Crooker thanked Sheriff James Gannon for his responsiveness and support of officers and detectives.
“The resources he gives us are second to none,” said Chief Crooker.
Detective Lieutenant DiGavero, who also worked in the Sheriff’s Office Warrants Section and Protective Services Division which oversees security at the Morris County courthouse, said he is honored to have worked with many exceptional people.
He said he is proud of helping to organize the storage of evidence from crime scenes, which is managed electronically through a program called BEAST, for Bar-Coded Evidence Analysis Statistical Tracking.
“I’ll miss everybody. It’s been a real honor,” Detective Lieutenant DiGavero said.
Death Investigation continues in Dover
MORRIS COuNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon and Public Safety Director Daniel DeGroot and Chief Anthony Smith of the Dover Police Department announce an investigation into a deceased person found in Dover.
On Thursday, August 1, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male in a wooded area near a culdesac at the end of West Clinton Street in Dover.
Morris County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit processed the scene and the investigation confirmed that a deceased male’s body was located in the woods in close proximity to a homeless campsite. An autopsy was performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause and manner of death are pending. The investigation remains ongoing and the identity of the individual will not be released at this time.
If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200, or the Dover Police Department at (973) 539-0777.
Sheriff Gannon also reminds the public that information can also be reported anonymously to the Morris County Sheriff’s Crimestoppers at (973) 267-2255 or click here.
CCM Offers Programs for Those Looking to Build a Business in Landscaping
MORRIS COUNTY —For those who dream of building a business in the landscaping industry, County College of Morris (CCM) offers a number of pathways to make that possible through its Department of Landscape and Horticultural Technology (LHT).
Degrees and certificates are offered in Agribusiness, Landscape Management and Design, and Turf and Turfgrass Management. The Landscape Management and Design track is the most popular, according to Brian Oleksak, associate professor and chair of the LHT department.
An average of 85 students enroll in the department each year, keeping class sizes small and professor-student relationships close. “Many students in this department are working part-time landscaping jobs while enrolled,” notes Oleksak. “They tend to be the best students because they are applying what they are learning right away.”
A degree or certificate from CCM’s LHT department allows students to propel a small landscaping business to the next level. Education in cutting-edge technology and practices can transform a small business into one with multiple employees and a highly profitable income stream.
LHT students learn in a setting where science, sustainability and technology all come together. They study and work in a LEED Gold Certified Building in design labs using the latest programming tools. Included among the software students learn is DynaSCAPE, an industry recognized landscape business management program. LHT students also have access to two Kubota sub-compact tractors, a skid-steer and various small-to-mid sized equipment.
Fall Semester courses in the Department of Landscape and Horticulture Technology begin Wednesday, September 4. Classes being offered include Plant Science, Land Plant Identification, Management and Use, Horticulture Computer Application, Landscape Design and Planning I, Plant Pest Management, Landscape Construction and Equipment, and Arboriculture.
To view and register for courses click here.
For more information on LHT programs, courses and certificates, contact Brian Oleksak at boleksak@ccm.edu, or (973) 328-5363.
Visit http://bit.ly/ccmland for details on how students can “Start Right . . . .Finish Strong” in the LHT department.
Kiwanis Club welcomes new member Erin Hoffman
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher installed new member Erin Hoffman. She was sponsored by Club Member Nicolas Limanov.
Karen DeChristopher said “We welcome Erin to this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”
“Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new members into our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Erin to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany,” said President Karen DeChristopher.
Erin is a 2014 Graduate of Parsippany High School
Erin is an Associate with Certified Financial Services, 600 Parsippany Road, Suite 200. Certified Financial Services educates people to better understand the importance and benefits of holistic financial planning and wealth management as well as secure them with protection to help their plans succeed.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports ten K-Kids clubs, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School, Intervale School, Mt. Tabor Elementary School, Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club. In addition, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports a Circle K Club at Seton Hall University.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany raises funds and donates to the Parsippany Food Pantry, Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, Parsippany PAL Youth Center, Parsippany High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Hills High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Child Day Center, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, Camp Nejeda, NJ Sharing Network, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Parsippany, Parsippany Project Graduation, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Family Promise of Morris County, Parsippany Little League West, Parsippany Little League East to name a few.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here. To join online click here.
Miracles USA Taekwondo competition team earned a total of ten medals
PARSIPPANY — Miracles USA Taekwondo celebrates the achievements of its elite competition team at the 2019 USA Taekwondo National Championships held in Minneapolis, MN, from June 28 to July 4. The competition team earned a total of ten medals in a variety of Taekwondo disciplines.
Silver Medal
Joshua Aguirre – Board Breaking Division – Individual
Bronze Medals
Kyra Kozar, Liana Gonsalves, and Lura Xu – World Class Senior Division Poomsae – Team
Destinie Nodarse, Erin Block, Laura Rossi – World Class Junior Division Poomsae – Team
Jerrick Li, Alexia Rae Kouletsis, Sabrina Kim, Isaiah Gonsalves, Connie Lee – Freestyle Team
Emma Lee – Youth Division Poomsae – Individual
Julia Cho – Youth Division Poomsae – Individual
Miracles USA Taekwondo also thanks Master Kim’s Taekwondo Institute of Rochester, NY, and KIMA of Hershey, PA, for their collaboration with the Miracles team. Congratulations to their athletes for their medal-winning Poomsae performances with the team.
The Miracles USA Taekwondo competition team is now looking forward to participating in the 2020 USA Taekwondo National Championships, and perhaps the 11th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Denmark.
Miracles USA Taekwondo is located at Parsippany Shopping Plaza: 374 Route 46.
Commuter Parking Lots Closed during National Night Out
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department is advising commuters to plan ahead for commuter parking options during the National Night Out Event scheduled for Tuesday, August 6.
The Park and Ride lot located off Baldwin Road at Smith Field, along with the Park and Ride lot on Route 46 East at Smith Field (next to Empire Diner) will be closed between 12:00 Midnight and approximately 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6. The parking areas are being utilized during the event.
Depending on the time you travel and location, below are a few alternate areas you can park and ride the bus:
•Waterview Park and Ride (Route 46 East just past Waterview Boulevard)
•South Beverwyck Road Park and Ride (Corner of Route 46 East and South Beverwyck Road)
•Arlington Plaza Park and Ride (Route 46 West near Wendy’s. The parking lot is next to Wendy’s and has a marker).
National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center and Smith Field. Free Rides, Free Games, Food, Fun, Music, Dunk-A-Cop and Giveaways.
Parking will also be available at St. Peter’s Church, 179 Baldwin Road, with a shuttle running back and forth.
Children are reminded to bring their Police Trading Cards to the event for a chance to win a bicycle.
Four Candidates file for Board of Education Race
PARSIPPANY — Four candidates filed petitions for seats on the Parsippany Board of Education by the deadline of Monday, July 29. There are three seats available for the term ending December 31. Board Member Mr. Joseph Cistaro is not seeking re-election. Alison Cogan and Andrew Choffo is seeking re-election.
The election will be held in conjunction with the General Election of 2019 on Tuesday, November 5.
The four candidates seeking election to Parsippany Board of Education are:
Alison Cogan (Incumbent)
Andrew Choffo (Incumbent)
Robert Quinn
Kendra Von Achen
Robert Quinn and Andrew Choffo are running as a team. (Click here).
Von Achen isn’t new to seeking a Board of Education seat. In 2018 she ran for a one-year term against Andrew Choffo and received 4,492 votes, while Choffo received 5,469. This will be the first time Robert Quinn entered the race. Quinn is a graduate of Parsippany High School Class of 2016 and is employed at Foodtown of Lake Hiawatha.
The winners in November 5 election will be sworn in at the Tuesday, January 7, 2020 reorganization meeting.
You can register to vote by clicking here.