File Photo. The picture may not accurately represent the narcotics described in the article.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Sussex County Prosecutor Francis A. Koch announce the arrest of three individuals following a drug investigation that began earlier this summer and involved the distribution of cocaine in Boonton and Morristown. On September 12, a search warrant was executed in Boonton, which resulted in the arrest of two individuals, Elijah Downey and Myles Wilson, the seizure of cocaine and marijuana, and approximately $2,000 in drug distribution proceeds. The investigation in total yielded the seizure of cocaine in excess of two ounces and marijuana in excess of one ounce. As part of this investigation, a third individual, Kaire Pettiway, was arrested in Morristown.
The following individuals were arrested:
Myles Wilson, 22, of Boonton, was charged with the following:
1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute
1 count of Fourth-Degree Possession of Marijuana
1 count of Disorderly Persons Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Wilson is currently in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance
Elijah Downey, 23, of Boonton, was charged with the following:
2 counts of Second-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
1 count of Second-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
2 counts of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine
Downey is currently in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance
Kaire Pettiway, 22, of Morristown, was charged with the following:
1 count of Second-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
1 count of Second-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
1 count of Second-Degree Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine Within 500’ of Public Property
1 Count of Second-Degree Distribution of CDS Within 500’ of Public Property
1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine
Pettiway is currently in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.
Prosecutor Knapp stated: “This investigation demonstrates the importance of collaborative law enforcement efforts working to thwart individuals committing crime in and around Morris County. Today, the Morris County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, worked in conjunction with multiple law enforcement officers to successfully, safely, and without incident, bring about the arrests of these individuals.”
Prosecutor Koch said: “I would like to echo the statement of Prosecutor Knapp as to the importance of law enforcement collaboration and communication. It is through such joint efforts that we can make both counties and our state safer for all of its citizens. I would also like to express my gratitude to all of the involved agencies and look forward to working with them in the future.”
Prosecutor’s Knapp and Koch thank the following agencies for their assistance and commitment to cooperative and collaborative law enforcement: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, Town of Boonton Police Department, Morristown Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Mount Olive Police Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, Rockaway Borough Police Department, Wharton Police, Department, Chatham Borough Police Department, Chatham Township Police Department, and the Morris Township Police Department.
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.
PARSIPPANY — You may be busy raising your family or serving as a caregiver for relatives and regret not having the time to help improve your community. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has a solution to that dilemma. On Thursday, October 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., you can help improve the lives of others and have fun while doing so by attending the Kiwanis annual wine tasting at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. This wine Tasting is the Kiwanis Club’s largest fundraising event with the goal of supporting programs that benefit children and youth.
The local programs funded by the Kiwanis Club include: sponsored youth programs in the Parsippany Troy Hills school district, such as Key Clubs in both high schools, Builders Clubs in the middle schools, and K-Kids Clubs in all of the elementary schools; Parsippany Day Care Center; Parsippany Library; the Stickley Farms family fun day and numerous other 501(c)3 organizations that serve children and families. In addition to this financial support of children’s leadership development and service initiatives, the club meets the basic needs of the less fortunate families in our community by providing food and food cards, toiletry items, and blankets through a partnership with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Community Center. The Club also supports state and national organizations that serve the needs of children and their families.
Joe Canal’s is a co-sponsor of the wine tasting event. The event includes silent and live auctions; delicious hot and cold buffet; wines and liquors; and an opportunity to help raise money and do good for others.
Tickets are only $65 each. Kiwanis is a 501(C)3 organization and your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
This year, Kiwanis Club is partnering with Sons of Italy #2561.
If you would like to purchase tickets, visit kiwaniswinetasting.com, or call Frank Cahill (862) 213-2200.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — The American Cancer Society Taste of Hope – NJ will be held on Tuesday, September 17, for a one-of-a-kind evening, featuring great food, dancing, a spectacular silent auction, and much more. The event will start at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Essex County Country CLub, 350 Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange.
With your support, the American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer.
The American Cancer Society is working to finish the fight against every cancer in every community. We are the largest private, not-for-profit funder of cancer research in the United States, investing more than $4 billion since 1946. To purchase tickets click here.
For additional information, please contact Steve Cavanaugh at (973) 285-8025, or email [email protected].
PARSIPPANY — Following a NJ Globe story where Democrat Mayor Michael Soriano attacked Councilman Mike dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani over a contractually obligated payout to former Police Captain James Carifi, the Republican Councilmembers released the following statement.
It is important to note that Democratic Council Vice-President Janice McCarthy – one of Soriano’s own Council allies – voted with dePierro and Gragnani in a bipartisan move.
“The motion pays Mr. Carifi the earned contractual obligated compensation when he retired in good standing. And I can’t speak to anyone’s motivation in this matter, but for me, after reviewing the information, in my opinion, it’s the right thing to do. I vote yes.” stated Council Vice President Janice McCarthy to the Parsippany Focus.
“Mayor Soriano is not being forthright, plain and simple,” said Councilman dePierro. “First, he promised to work with us to resolve the longstanding Carifi matter, but now he wants to prolong it. Second, and most importantly, this payout is contractually obligated and will have no impact on taxpayers. Prolonging it made zero sense, unless you care more about political games than our town’s well-being. The Mayor’s so blatantly misleading taxpayers speaks to his character, or lack thereof.”
“This was a bipartisan decision, as it took a Democratic vote to move forward,” said Councilwoman Gragnani. “The fact of the matter is that the only people Parsippany taxpayers have to fear these days is Mayor Soriano and the two tax hiking budgets he’s passed to pay for his wasteful unqualified patronage hires in town hall.”
Submitted by Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani
PARSIPPANY — With Scooter, it is guaranteed that he will ride his way into your heart! He is a two-year old Boston Terrier who is a fun-loving boy with a stellar personality.
Besides the hysterical snorts and snoring, Scooter will never fail to entertain you with his goofy antics. Whether it involves doing ‘zoomies’ in the backyard or being clumsy, he will bring a smile to your face every day.
Just as much as he is a goofball, Scooter is also a total sweetheart. There is nothing like coming home from work and seeing Scooter’s entire body wiggle with joy. He then wants nothing more than to cover your face in kisses!
Looking to get in shape? Scooter will happily be your workout buddy! He would love to go hiking, jogging, or take long walks in the neighborhood!
He is housebroken and crate trained. Scooter wouldn’t mind living with other dogs as long as there is a proper introduction! He takes some time to get comfortable with their presence but once he does, he is more than happy to play and lounge with them. Scooter is working hard on his leash training and looks forward to working on it every day. Scooter would be fine living with kids above the age of 16.
Scooter needs a home that will provide him with proper structure and exercise which will allow him to thrive. He is a very loving dog but needs guidance to turn him into the perfect gentleman that we know he can become.
If you are interested in adopting Scooter, please fill out an application by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY – At the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting of Tuesday, September 3, Councilmembers Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani voted for a $425,000 payout to former police Captain James Carifi.
“Let me be clear,” Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano stated. “I would be in full support of this resolution if it carried no risk to Parsippany taxpayers. Unfortunately, this hasty action by the Council carries millions of dollars of risk. My position has been and remains that we must fully resolve this legal saga in its entirety in the shortest possible time frame.”
dePierro and Gragnani’s resolution does nothing to resolve the still-pending lawsuits between the township and Captain Carifi, and may in fact extend them into the coming years. Prior to Mayor Soriano’s inauguration, millions of dollars were spent litigating against Captain Carifi by the Barberio-Inglesino administration, coinciding with Paul Carifi’s run for Mayor against Barberio in 2013. This disgrace was supported by dePierro and Gragnani, and has cost Parsippany taxpayers millions in legal fees over several years, according to Soriano.
Mayor Soriano continued, “Our administration has always sought to do the right thing, regardless of politics. That is why I called for a special Council meeting on August 27th: to give the Council a chance to hear from our attorneys in person. This followed a memo to the Council regarding the legally appropriate ways to resolve these matters without damage to our taxpayers. Unfortunately, instead of stopping to consider the consequences of their reversal, dePierro and Gragnani were no-shows.”
“The people of Parsippany deserve to know the fiscal danger their Councilmembers have put them in with this vote. The Council should vote to release legal counsel’s memo to the public this Tuesday, as well as personally accept responsibility for putting Parsippany’s fiscal health in jeopardy.”
Despite the example set during the Barberio-Inglesino administration, taxpayers’ money should never be used to press politically-motivated lawsuits against rivals. Municipalities have attorneys in large part to advise elected officials on the legality of their actions. dePierro and Gragnani’s failure to heed legal advice could be their most expensive mistake yet, said Soriano.
Taxpayers should be in disbelief that this Council would risk leaving the township on the hook for millions more dollars, a direct result of dePierro and Gragnani’s years-long support of this wasteful litigation and their suspiciously-timed rejection of legal advice in voting for this payout. Apparently, this is the cost of “Unity” to Parsippany taxpayers.
Council Vice President Janice McCarthy also voted in favor of the payout, while Councilwoman Emily Peterson abstained.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker announce the arrest of Lynneann K. Groves (a/k/a Lynne K. Groves), 37, of Franklin, on Forgery and Perjury related charges.
On March 8, 2019, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part received documents, filed on behalf of the defendant, Lynne Groves.
The defendant provided these documents as an attached Exhibit to the Defendant’s Certification in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Modification Application and in Support of Cross-Application that her attorney was filing on behalf of the defendant in the pending Family Part matter.
The documents were allegedly medical invoices totaling $2,800.00 and were attached as Exhibits to the defendant’s submission to the Court.
The investigation revealed that the documents submitted by the defendant to the Court as Exhibits were fraudulent. The investigation also revealed several alterations to the original invoices and that the amounts claimed on several of the invoices were greater than actually billed by the medical provider. The Certification signed by the defendant certified that the foregoing statements made by her were true and accurate and she was aware if any statement was willfully false that she was subject to punishment.
The defendant has been charged with the following offenses:
• One count of Forgery, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1a(1), a crime of the Third degree;
• One count of Perjury, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-1a, a crime of the Third degree; and
• One count of Falsifying Records, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4a, a crime of the Fourth degree.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Specialized Crimes, Fraud Unit; the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part whose efforts contributed to the investigation of this case.
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.
ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, and Chief Martin McParland, Jr. of the Rockaway Township Police Department announce that John P. Daley, 50, of Flanders, has been charged with one count of Invasion of Privacy, a crime of the third degree, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9b (1), and Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a crime of the fourth degree, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3B (1).
The defendant was employed as a bartender in the Clubhouse Bar at the White Meadow Lake Clubhouse in Rockaway Township.
On September 8, Mr. Daley is alleged to have used a device to photograph or record a female patron who was utilizing the restroom at the Clubhouse and then destroying evidence relating to the act.
The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility upon his arrest and subsequently released in accordance with Criminal Justice Reform. He is pending a court date of October 15.
Anyone with information relating to this or any related incident is asked to call Detective Michael Rossi of the Rockaway Township Police Department at (973) 625-4000.
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.
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills held “September 11th: A Day of Remembrance” to observe the 18th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the nation.
Seven Parsippany residents died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Many of them were husbands, wives and parents, but all of them were neighbors and friends in the Parsippany community.
Parsippany’s Chief of Staff, Matthew Clarkin, started with the welcoming remarks, followed by the National Anthem by Cantor Lois Kittner, Adath Shalom. The Pledge of Allegiance was performed by Township Clerk Khaled Madin.
Part of the steel from tht Twin Towers
Keynote Speaker was Brian Wheelock, EMT, First Responder to Ground Zero. Rev. Donald Bragg, Pastor, Parsippany Presbyterian Church offered benediction.
Mayor Michael Soriano read off the names of Parsippany residents.
Martin Boryczewski Boryczewski was remembered as a life-of-the-party type, who loved hanging out with friends as much as he loved his trading job. He grew up in Parsippany, and frequently came home to visit his family, whom he was close with. Read more here.
Antoinette Duger Duger was a devoted mother in a close knit Italian family, who she loved cooking for. She cared deeply for those around her; some of her last words were, “I don’t want them to worry,” her sister said. Read more here.
Michael John Pescherine Perscherine and his wife were expecting a baby at the time of his death, due in March 2002, something that cause him to “scream in delight.” He was remembered as an athlete who loved watching the Giants. Read more here.
Thomas H. Polhemus Thomas Polhemus was remember as loving golf nearly as much as he loved his wife and two sisters. He played through rain and snow three times a week, and would travel to Myrtle Beach to play with friends. Read more here.
Maria Theresa Santillan Maria Santillan was in the middle of planning her wedding to her high school sweetheart when she died. She had long dreamed of working in New York City, and often commuted with her father to the PATH station. Read more here.
Michael C. Sorresse Sorresse was deeply proud of working in the World Trade Center, something he’d tell people as they spotted the towers from the Turnpike. He was a family man who has just bought a home in Morris County. Read more here.
Jason Kyle Jacobs Jason Kyle Jacobs worked in the World Trade Center. He was a partner in Fiduciary Trust Co. and worked in Tower 2. Survivors originally listed: Wife, Jennifer; Daughter, Zoe; Father, Charles; Mother, Marilyn; and Brother, Seth. Read more here.
8:46 a.m. – American Airlines Flight #11 crashes into the World Trade Center
9:03 a.m. – United Airlines Flight #175 crashes into the World Trade Center South Tower
9:37 a.m. – American Airlines Flight #77 crashes into the U.S. Pentagon
10:03 a.m. – United Airlines Flight #93 crashes in Sharksville, PA
10:28 a.m. – World Trade Center North Tower Collapses
9-11 Memorial at Parsippany Town Hall
Brian Wheelock, EMT, First Responder to Ground Zero delivered the following speech:
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to hold this moment sacred, because part of what I wanted to talk about today was just how important it is to do this—to continue to hold this moment as a priority in our hearts and in our minds.
I’ll never forget that day, September 11th—the moment myself and another EMT from a squad down in Holmdel, my partner Chip Meyers, approached ground zero. It was a little bit later in the day, 7pm, starting to get dark. I remember as we approached—I remember the flashing lights of the ambulance, normally you see reflect off buildings, but they began to bounce back in our faces more and more because the cloud of dust and smoke in the air was beginning to fill in.
Even as we arrived blocks and blocks away nothing could have ever mentally prepared me for what I was about to see. I was 26 at the time. I wasn’t married with kids like I am now. Sometimes I wonder if that call came in today would I still have run in there? Would I still have forged ahead? Part of me says no way, I have a wife and a family, but these first responders here will tell you something happens at that moment, and you just do it. You take over. You know there are people there in need and you have to go.
I remember I opened the ambulance door. We weren’t prepared. We didn’t have masks, we didn’t have special gear. And the wave of dust that came over me was overwhelming. In fact we were being flagged down by a police officer for somebody that was outside having difficulty breathing. So as I grabbed the oxygen and was trying to help this person breathe, I myself was having trouble.
As we made our way down to ground zero, parked the ambulance and let that person return to their home, as they were able to breathe on their own again, we parked the ambulance and began to walk through that scene we’ve all seen—the pile. And it was just something that will always stick in my mind. I remember looking down and seeing a woman’s high heeled shoe on the ground and saying ‘where’s the woman?’ I can’t even explain what we saw that day. But there were feet and feet that we had to go through to get there. I remember making our way around the pile to the lobby of a hotel that had been made into a hospital. And it was fully staffed. You had nurses, doctors, IVs ready, lights, you wouldn’t know except a few signs that you were in the lobby of a hotel. But the one thing that was notably missing was the patients. Everybody was ready, but the patients were not there. Because we know how difficult it was to find anybody at that time.
Finally the report came in that they were pulling people out on the other side of the rubble. They requested those with ambulances to follow a caravan to the other side of the pile. We jumped in our ambulance and tried to follow this caravan with several other ambulances in front of us. With the amount of dust that was kicking up you couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of you. So here we are in lower Manhattan with nothing recognizable, no street signs, nothing to tell you where you were. Being from New Jersey, our radio could not communicate with New York at that time. I sat there literally in this disaster scene saying to my partner, ‘we are not doing well here, breathing all of this stuff in, we have nothing we can’t even get where we’re trying to go. Maybe we should abort this mission and go back to New Jersey.’ We sat there for a moment and then said it’s time. We had been there for several hours by that time. But those 3 hours I spent there would literally change my life forever.
As of this day, I have 6 certified illnesses that they attribute to 9/11. 4 of them physical, 2 of them PTSD and things. More for me its worry about the future—what does the future hold for me and my family. That’s what I struggle with on a daily basis. Thankfully none of those illnesses are life threatening, and I thank God for that. It was disturbing to me to find out shortly after we came the ambulance we brought with us that day, the engine ceased and it could no longer be used, because of all that it inhaled. And I think to myself, we were there the same amount of time. You may have heard in the news around this time that the number of first responders that have passed away and others in lower Manhattan is approaching the number that died that day, and that’s a tough, tough thing to swallow.
But for those we’ve lost and those we continue to lose, we have an obligation to hold this moment sacred as we are all doing right now. You’ll all remember the phrase “Never Forget.” Never forget—that was everywhere. But I want to add something to that—“Always Remember.” Because there actually is a difference. Meriam Webster defines “forget” is to lose remembrance of or be able to think of or recall. The definition of “remember” is a little different. To cause something to come back into your mind. And as painful as this is, especially for family and those that are here who may have lost somebody, this is painful to do. But we need to do this together.
Here we are 18 years later. This September 11th, maybe not for us, but for a lot of people, is just starting to look like every other day. My wife and I have Back to School Night tonight. People I know have work meetings and things they had to be at this morning. You go back 5 to 7 years this day was still held more sacred. Things were not scheduled as they are now. Things are creeping in to sacred territory. We need to fight to keep this day a sacred part of the DNA of our country. Even one of my daughters had a science experiment going on at the middle school today, and we said, you know what, she needs to be there. 2 of my daughters are here in fact one of them has a dentist appointment, sorry, I think I warned her.
But we need to remember that 9/11 is, again, part of our country’s DNA. And if next year, we have to be somewhere and sometimes we may have to be somewhere, at 8:46 when the first plane hit, we may need to take a moment and pause, and say, you know what, raise our hand if we’re in a sales meeting [pause for bell ringing] ‘people, friends, coworkers, let’s take a moment, this is sacred moment, let’s take just 5 minutes out of what we’re doing and reflect for a moment. You’d be surprised how people might respond.
I remember 8 years ago today, September 11th, 2011, I happened to be flying home from a wedding in Ireland. I lived in Ireland years and years before that. I was on a flight that was landing in Newark airport at 11:25 in the morning on September 11th on the 10 year anniversary. Packed plane. 747 full of people. I got this overwhelming feeling that we have all these people together, its approaching 9:00, we need to honor this in some way. But here I am with strangers, people I don’t know from every walk, of life, every race, every religion was represented. There were a few hundred people there. Sometime you get that that nudge—I call it a nudge from above—you have to get out of your seat. Sometimes you don’t want to do that. I didn’t want to do it that day. But I felt a nudge to ask the flight attendant if I could say something over the loudspeaker. If we could hold this moment sacred. Pray. Something to acknowledge this moment that we had together. Of course I didn’t think they were going to go for this. Post 9/11 we know the rules. But I did it anyway. I explained that I was a first responder on 9/11 and how important this moment was to me and that I thought we should all share it together and acknowledge it in some way. She looked at me like I was crazy and she said I’m going to ask the pilot and see what he says. And she picked up that little phone and told him the situation and then turned to me and said “he said yes. Are you ready?” “Let me run to the bathroom,” I said “and gather my thoughts.” [as I did this morning, but TMI.] But it was an important moment to do that. And she walked me to the front of a 747 and she said ‘ladies and gentlemen, a passenger wants to address the plane.’ Now I have a feeling they were more concerned than they should have been at that moment. But I got on the loudspeaker and I explained that I was a 9/11 first responder and that we were approaching that exact moment 10 years later. And I said ‘I think this is an important moment. I know we have many walks of life here. I happen to be a Christian but we have people from every religion and faith here. We all need to take a moment of silence and if you don’t mind let’s bow our heads, I’ll pray for a safe landing and that we can heal from this tragedy. I couldn’t even believe the response. Everybody, no matter what color they were, or gender, they all bowed their heads and we shared that moment together. When I completed that everybody applauded. And I had just prayed for protection, and that God would give us the strength to heal. And remember that moment was sacred. And people kept coming up to me and thanking me for making the point of making the moment sacred.
The next 9/11 it may be your turn. Maybe you won’t be on a 747, maybe you’ll be somewhere else, a meeting, or at school. But we have to make the point of taking that sacred moment. Because I can tell you, the families who have lost people—they can’t do it alone. The first responders that were there that day that may be much more ill than me—they can’t do it alone. We need eachother to lean on. And we need to engage and learn eachothers stories in order to heal from this tragedy.
Always remember is to cause something to come back into your mind. And I think this country needs that right now. Remember what it was like after 9/11? Remember every other car had American flag on it? Remember the patriotism we felt that day? We need that again and each one of us can make a difference in bringing that back. I truly believe in sharing our past, and loving on one another like we are doing here today will bring great hope and healing to our future.
The Pentagon’s September 11th Observance this morning
PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) participated in the Pentagon’s September 11th Observance and released the following statement on the 18th anniversary of the 2001 attacks:
“For eighteen years, we’ve celebrated and mourned the members of our community we lost in 2001, and the bravery of the first responders who ran towards the burning buildings in Lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and Shanksville — into immeasurable and unknown danger.
“I spoke with a firefighter yesterday in my community who went to the pile at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attacks. It does not get any easier for the survivors and families, but with our passage of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund this summer, we can give them some peace of mind that they will receive the support they need.
“At today’s memorial at the Pentagon, I was surrounded by survivors, family members, and active duty personnel. It was a reminder of the sacrifice made by brave men and women, and I strongly felt the memory of those lost from Flight 77 and the Pentagon.
“There is now an entire generation of Americans born after September 11th. We owe them principled leadership, both at home and abroad. We must ensure that the lesson of September 11th is that we double down on our values in the face of attacks on our country, not run away from them.”
Representative Mikie Sherrill is a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Norfolk at the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Headquarters during the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Committee Chairperson Barbara Freda, Executive Board Member Frank Cahill, Carrie Montoya, Jason Kish, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso and Board Member Alan Golub
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member, DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse).
DSW will be holding a ribbon cutting grand opening on September 27 in the Waterview Marketplace.
Presenting the Chamber Membership Plaque to DSW’s store manager, Carrie Montoya and District Manager Jason Kish was Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso. Also joining Peluso was Board Members Frank Cahill, Nicolas Limanov, Ildiko Peluso and Alan Golub. In addition Committee Chairperson Barbara Freda joined in the celebration.
Designer Shoe Warehouse was founded in 1991, their flagship retail brand DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse is a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer offering a wide selection of dress, casual and athletic footwear and accessories for women, men and kids. DSW operates nearly 550 stores in the U.S. and Canada and offers shoppers an award-winning omnichannel shopping experience.
The first store opened in 1991 in Dublin, Ohio. Today, DSW operates more than 500 stores in 44 states.
PARSIPPANY — Rep. Mikie Sherrill was recently honored as an AbilityOne® Congressional Champion of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. On Thursday, September 5, Rep. Sherrill visited Employment Horizons, a not-for-profit based in Morris County that assists individuals with barriers to employment. Also visiting the agency was SourceAmerica®, an organization that provides employment choices for individuals with disabilities through the AbilityOne nonprofit agency community. After a tour, the Congresswoman was recognized in a joint presentation hosted by these two organizations. Rep. Sherrill is now the newest member of the 160 certified Congressional Champions from 43 states and the District of Columbia, and the only current legislator in New Jersey to achieve such distinction.
After being presented with the award, Rep. Sherrill noted that, “Employment Horizons and the AbilityOne Program serve individuals with disabilities and other barriers through innovative programs and employment opportunities in the greater Morris County area. I am so honored to have received the AbilityOne Congressional Champion Award and am committed to making sure our constituents living with disabilities have access to employment opportunities.”
In order to become an AbilityOne Congressional Champion, the individual must demonstrate commitment to employment opportunities for individual with disabilities and publicly show their support. Earlier this year, Rep. Sherrill met with advocates of the AbilityOne Program from Employment Horizons in her D.C. office during SourceAmerica’s Grassroots Conference. She has also visited Picatinny Arsenal military base, an AbilityOne contract site. In addition, her office utilizes products that are manufactured as part of the program.
“Employment Horizons is honored to be a long-time partner with SourceAmerica and the AbilityOne program in ensuring employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Congresswoman Sherrill has been committed to services for individuals with disabilities since before taking office, and we were pleased to have her tour our programs and to present her with an AbilityOne Congressional Champion award in recognition of her support,” said Matthew Putts, CEO of Employment Horizons.
“As the congressional founders of the AbilityOne Program, Senator Robert Wagner and Representative Caroline O’Day, are no longer with us, support from current Members of Congress like Congresswoman Sherrill is critically important,” said John Kelly, Vice President of
Government Affairs for SourceAmerica. “We are happy to recognize her as an AbilityOne Congressional Champion today.”
The AbilityOne Congressional Champions Program was established in 2002 to honor representatives and senators who have demonstrated a commitment to constituents with disabilities and the AbilityOne Program. More information about the AbilityOne Congressional Champion Program is available online.
Established in 1974, SourceAmerica creates employment opportunities for a skilled and dedicated workforce of people with disabilities. SourceAmerica is the vital link between the federal government and private sector organizations that procure the products and services provided by this exceptional workforce via a network of more than 750 community-based nonprofits. Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, SourceAmerica provides its nonprofit agency network with business development, contract management, legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology support, engineering and technical assistance, and extensive professional training needed for successful nonprofit management. Visit SourceAmerica.org to learn more, or follow them on Facebook (@SourceAmerica), Twitter (@SourceAmericaUS) and LinkedIn (@SourceAmerica).
Founded in 1957, Employment Horizons, Inc. is the premier not-for-profit agency in Morris County that provides high-quality competitively priced services to the business community through its commercial operations. Simultaneously, the mission, to help people with disabilities reach their career objectives, is fulfilled. To learn more, please visit www.ehorizons.org.
The AbilityOne Program is one of the largest sources of employment in the United States for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Approximately 45,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities, including approximately 3,000 veterans, are employed at approximately 500 nonprofit agencies nationwide, across 15 time zones, from Maine to Guam. AbilityOne provided more than $3.3 billion in products and services to the federal government in fiscal year 2018. The Program operates at more than 1,000 locations, representing 40 government agencies, including more than 150 Base Supply Centers at military and government installations.
Morris County Crime Scene Investigation on Old Bloomfield Avenue
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Andrew Miller announce the investigation of a deceased person in Parsippany.
On September 9, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male inside a home in the area of Old Bloomfield Avenue.
Investigation confirmed that a deceased male’s body was located inside a residence in the area. The cause and manner of death are pending and the investigation remains open and ongoing. The identity of the individual will not be released at this time.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police investigating a death on Old Bloomfield Avenue
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
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 Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department at (973) 263-4300.
PARSIPPANY — As federal health authorities investigate an outbreak of severe pulmonary diseases being linked to vaping, including five deaths, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-26) demanded action today on her legislation to prohibit people under age 21 from possessing electronic smoking devices.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating 215 cases of severe lung disease across 25 states, including five deaths, that they say may be associated with vaping. New Jersey’s Department of Health reported last week that vaping related illnesses have nearly doubled in the three weeks since the department issued a health alert regarding electronic smoking devices.
“We already prohibit people under 21 from buying e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices, but it’s not illegal for them to be in possession of them. My bill will extend the prohibition to possession as well. We need to put more distance between New Jersey’s youth and whatever health risks are related to these devices,” said Assemblywoman DeCroce.
A-5107, introduced by the Assemblywoman in February, establishes a $25 civil penalty, not a criminal violation, for people under 21 found in possession of electronic smoking devices.
“We don’t want to make criminals out of young people over these devices. But we need to add another buffer between them and what may be a serious health risk, and my legislation will do that. Adults can make their own informed decisions about these things, but we shouldn’t allow our young people to be unwitting guinea pigs while doctors and scientists figure out the exact problem with the devices,” said DeCroce.
New Jersey health officials have reported at least 15 cases of illnesses possibly connected to vaping over the past month. The people involved range in ages of 17 to 45 years old.
National health officials have not linked the pulmonary diseases being reported to any one product on the market and contend the exact causes of the illnesses being reported by users are not yet clear. But use of electronic smoking devices is a common thread among all the cases under investigation, according to federal health authorities.
An advisory on electronic smoking devices issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states:
E-cigarettes have the potential to benefit adult smokers who are not pregnant if used as a complete substitute for regular cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products.
E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.
While e-cigarettes have the potential to benefit some people and harm others, scientists still have a lot to learn about whether e-cigarettes are effective for quitting smoking.
If you’ve never smoked or used other tobacco products or e-cigarettes, don’t start.
Additional research can help understand long-term health effects.
MORRIS COUNTY — Representatives from more than 180 colleges will be present at the annual Morris County Regional College Fair on Sunday, September 15. The event is hosted by the County College of Morris (CCM), located at 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph.
The fair is sponsored by CCM, the Morris County Association of School Counseling Directors and The New Jersey Association of College Admissions Counseling. From 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m., these colleges will provide information on academic departments, admissions, campus life, housing and tuition costs and support services.
Held dually in the CCM Student Community Center and the Health and Physical Education Building, the event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in lots five through nine.
Students searching for a top-tier education at a great value are encouraged to visit CCM information tables at the fair. Dedicated to seamless transition to a four-year school after graduation, CCM is an excellent choice for students who want to save money while attending a nationally-ranked institution.
For a list of institutions that will be participating in the College Fair click here.
For additional information, please contact CCM’s Admissions Office at (973) 328-5069, or email here.
Mayor Michael Soriano cuts the ribbon for the official re-opening of European Wax Center last year
PARSIPPANY — European Wax Center recently held a re-grand opening ribbon cutting celebrating the newly designed Troy Hills Shopping Center.
Co-owners Judy Cook and Diano Lupo, joined Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Councilman Michael dePierro, Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Member Frank Cahill and Board Member Nicolas Limanov in cutting the ribbon to celebrate the occasion. Members of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce also joined in the celebration.
European Wax Center is located at 1121 Route 46, Parsippany.
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member Frank Cahill, Councilman Michael dePierro, Co-owners Judy Cook and Diane Lupo, Mayor Michael Soriano and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani
European Wax Center is in the business of revealing gorgeous skin. Their revolutionary hard wax and four-step process will make your skin feel smooth, luxurious, and oh so beautiful. They believe feeling gorgeous and looking your natural best isn’t just for the privileged. Waxing is for everyone who wants to flaunt the smoothest skin, whenever they want. That’s why they stand by their words when they say Waxing For All. They offer luxurious waxing at prices that won’t make you raise an eyebrow, so make a reservation at the center nearest you and treat yourself to a little European pampering!
First – Time Guest? Enjoy a Complimentary Wax!
Ladies can indulge in a brow, underarm or bikini line wax and gents can go smooth with a free ear, nose or brow wax.
For more information call (973) 352-0505.
Co-owner Judy Cook gives a tour. Karen DeChristopher, Loretta Gragnani, Diane Lupo, Michael dePierro and Judy CookFrank Cahill, Vice Chairman Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee congratulates European Wax Center on their re-grand opening and thanks them for choosing Parsippany. Councilman Michael dePierro, Councilwoman Loretta Grangani and Mayor Michael Soriano looks on.
PARSIPPANY — Traveling often leads to discoveries about other cultures and places that make us wonder how we can improve things at home. Though it is easy to pack a souvenir and bring it back with you, not everything can fit in a 23 kg check-in bag.
That’s what Daniel Wang, a Parsippany High School alum and rising junior at Brown University, realized while returning home from his summer abroad in Berlin as a participant of the prestigious Cultural Vistas Fellowship, a fully funded internship program designed for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in international exchange.
As a mechanical engineering student interested in environmental sustainability, Daniel’s eight weeks in Germany were an eye opener for him. The country’s devotion to sustainability was both surprising and inspiring at the same time.
Finding a Souvenir to Bring Back Home
The experience left Daniel questioning why the U.S. can’t be equally devoted to sustainability, and he began comparing the two countries’ approaches to the problem for insights about what the U.S. could do differently.
One thing he noticed is how much the role of youth involvement could be improved in the U.S. “I look at sustainability as a tool that helps share a possible future and believe that the youth can use education and awareness to play a crucial role in making America more sustainable.”
This belief has a lot to do with his experience interning at the Fields Institute, where Daniel worked on a sustainability education project. His role involved communicating and teaching children about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and developing communications and advocacy material to connect with businesses. These efforts aimed to educate organizations and municipalities about how their locations can be used as sites and field trip locations to create awareness about SDGs.
Daniel also developed learning materials for children to prepare them for these trips and reinforce the lessons later. These experiences strengthened his belief in the benefits of making young people and children more aware, as well as how their efforts can make a difference.
Packing the Message of Sustainability
Being accepted into the Cultural Vistas Fellowship came at a time when Daniel needed it the most. “Before going to Berlin for the internship, I had a blossoming interest in environmental sustainability and was becoming skeptical about pursuing a career purely in engineering. Through the internship at Fields, I learned how to see sustainability from a more human perspective—not just environmental sustainability, but all other things that have something to do with the conditions of life for people.”
This experience also made Daniel realize how important it is to perfect the way we present various ideas to people. While he recalls being taught that turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can help save up to 200 gallons of water per month, he believes that other similar messages should be equally widespread.
“There are narratives that aren’t being told but are equally important. Like, avoiding eating a quarter pounder can help save a month’s worth shower water supply or that every almond sourced from California consumes a gallon of water.”
Daniel believes these are important messages, often distorted or hidden, and must be communicated to make the world a more sustainable place.
While developing an understanding of various aspects of sustainability, Daniel also got an insight into how humans communicate about these issues and what causes them to act. “The internship helped me see sustainability from a human aspect. I saw how everyone can contribute to it, including professionals and conservationists who work on it every day—and children and young people who may be unaware that their efforts matter.”
Having seen the technical and the human approach, he sees great value in combining them. This idea has refueled his passion for engineering and given him a new purpose.
Daniel is now back at Brown continuing to pursue his engineering program while trying to tailor it to focus on sustainability. Though he believes being more educated can help people make the world more sustainable, he also hopes to continue acquiring tangible experiences that remind us to take action.
MORRIS COUNTY — Nearly a dozen registered dietitians from ShopRite supermarkets were in attendance as “avocado ambassadors” during the New York Jets home opener on Sunday, September 8 at MetLife Stadium. Prior to the game, which resulted in a New York Jets loss to the Buffalo Bills 16-17, the dietitians were on hand for the unveiling of what was touted as the “world’s largest guacamole bowl,” held in partnership with Avocados from Peru. ShopRite supplied the avocados in a specially designed refrigerated trailer that transported approximately 9,000 lbs. of avocados to MetLife Stadium for the event.
“A great tailgate party isn’t complete without a bowl of delicious, fresh guacamole,” said Natalie Menza-Crowe, Director of Health and Wellness at ShopRite. “We’re excited to share the healthy benefits of avocados with our customers, and why they are a great choice as a snack or dip for your game day celebrations, or any time.” For more information click here.
