PARSIPPANY — Parsippany celebrated the 43rd years a Tree-City USA on Monday, April 29. James Walsh, Superintendent Parks and Forestry Department welcomed the crowd of residents, teachers, students and township employees.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township was named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits. More information on the program is available by clicking here.
Parsippany has thirty one parks throughout the Township. The park system has preserved over 800 acres ranging from the .032 acre Lake Hiawatha Park to the 352-acre Knoll Park. The total surpasses the nationally recognized standard of having one acre of park land for every 100 residents. The goal has been to provide recreation within walking distance of every resident.
Senator Richard Codey presented James Walsh with the official “Tree City USA” banner during the event.
Mayor Soriano reading the Proclamation
James Walsh, Superintendent, Parks & ForestryMayor Michael SorianoEastlake Elementary School Second Grade Class recited the “Lullaby” poem“Let it Grow” from the Lorax Song and Dance was sung by Intervale Elementary School Second Grade ClassSenator Richard J. Codey and Mayor Michael Soriano
PARSIPPANY — The iconic $1 Neighborhood Drink of the Month that started it all is back and nope, that’s not the tequila talking, it’s still only ONE dollar. Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill + Bar is celebrating all month long at participating locations with the “OG” and America’s go-to Cinco de Mayo cocktail, the DOLLARITA. Applebee’s is located at 1057 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center.
“The DOLLARITA taught America that $1 is an unbeatable price for a cocktail. Where else can you find a good Margarita for only $1, all day, every day?” said Patrick Kirk, vice president of beverage and innovation at Applebee’s. “Some might say this is too good to be true, but to them I say, margaritas never lie.”
Served in a 10-ounce mug with tequila and a classic Margarita mix, you’ll be ready to make a toast to the drink that started it all.
Price, participation and availability of the Neighborhood Drink of the Month may vary by location, and guests must be 21-years old or over to enjoy responsibly. Void where prohibited.
As always, Applebee’s reminds you to please drink responsibly.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises, Inc. is recognized as the 59th largest privately-held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business and the 15th largest franchisee in the United States as ranked in the Restaurant Finance Monitor, operating six restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Quaker Steak & Lube and two of its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. In 2018, Nation’s Restaurant News ranked Doherty Enterprises as the 77th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates over 150 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, on Long Island, as well as locations throughout Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and sections of Florida and Georgia. The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow Our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” For more information click here.
In response to Council Vice-President Janice McCarthy letter to editor Dated April 26, 2019 “The Financial Harm the 2019 Budget Causes.”
Where were you, mayoral candidate Michael Soriano and Councilwoman Emily Petersen for the eight years in which the former administration skimmed off the $9.4 million from the utilities surpluses? The skimming was not a subterfuge or hidden surreptitiously in the budget, it was in plain sight.
The only residents that can hold their heads high in confronting this mismanagement of public user funds are Pat Petaccia. and the undersigned. Together we spoke publicly at council meetings, wrote letters to the editor, and held a petition signing at town hall. Janice go back and read the articles printed in Parsippany Life by journalist Cindy Forrest for background if you still have them.
The undersigned contacted the appropriate government agencies in Trenton regarding the circumventing of the 2% budget cap instituted by Governor Chris Christie. Their response: “We do not like it but there’s nothing we can do.”
Most of your facts you presented are fairly accurate however again where were you when the skimming and ZERO budget increases in election years by the prior administration were being presented? You were a resident of Parsippany and had been involved in politics- having previously run for office. Why weren’t you, Janice, and Mayor Soriano at those council meetings speaking out against those budgets?
Now this Democratic administration is heaping blame on the previous administration – and rightfully so – but also failing to take responsibility for its contribution to the deficit by continuing to skim the utilities surpluses in the amount of $5.8 million in the last two years AND INCREASING UTILITY RATES.
Doesn’t that qualify as a “LEGALIZED PONZI SCHEME?”
Janice if you honestly want to place blame where it is due then you also would have spoken out about Mayor Soriano’s clown car administration bringing in high-salaried political appointments and adding job positions that the town has operated without for years.
Yes, I agree with you the town has been financially mismanaged. In the fall of 2017 I asked mayoral candidate Soriano if he knew what he was walking into. Instead of beginning a cycle of repair the mayor has added to Parsippany’s financial crisis.
Amongst the residents I have spoken with since the public inception of the 1515 project PILOT application your name always comes up as the lone NO VOTE and they appreciate that vote and will not forget.
However, do not sugar coat this administration’s wanton mismanagement of taxpayers money to benefit the Democrat party.
PARSIPPANY — Meet Paco, an 11-year-old Schnauzer mix coming in at just 39 pounds. Don’t let his age fool you though, he’s ready to go for walks, play, and snuggle up with you!
This senior cutie is well-behaved, potty-trained, and looking for a retirement home to spoil and love him for the rest of his days. He loves to play with toys, run around in the yard, and is very intelligent.
Paco has previously lived with other dogs and children and is living with dogs right now. He’s very friendly and happy! We think he would be happy in a home with other pups and children 10+.
If you’re interested in adding Paco to your pack, apply today!
If you are interested in adopting, 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.
Frank Cahill and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher presented Frank Cahill with a “Gift of Kiwanis Award” issued by Kiwanis International.
“I am pleased to present you The Gift of Kiwanis Award for inviting new members into our organization. You qualify for Gold level distinction,” said DeChristopher.
“Congratulations and thank you for sharing the gift of Kiwanis. Through your efforts, we are providing opportunities for new members to engage in what Kiwanis is all about-serving the children of the world. I am pleased to present you The Gift of Kiwanis Award for inviting new members into our organization. You qualify for Gold level distinction. With your invitation to join Kiwanis, you reinforce my firm belief that 1 + 1 = 3. When we come together and work together under the umbrella of Kiwanis, what we can achieve greatly exceeds what we can do individually. You have helped others discover the fun, fellowship, service and fulfillment that comes from being a Kiwanian. Your community is benefiting from an average of 37 hours of additional service from each new Kiwanis member. Your club succeeds because of people like you who share the mission of Kiwanis service. Thank you for your commitment to make the world a better place!” stated Kiwanis International President James Rochford (2017-2018).
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany donates to 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 and Parsippany Little League East to name a few.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany click here.
PARSIPPANY — A new proposal by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce would eliminate the Schools Development Authority and transfer its responsibilities to the Department of Treasury’s Division of Property Management & Construction.
“We have an existing branch of state government that can effectively perform the duties of the SDA with more efficiency and accountability,” said DeCroce (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic). “It will provide executive branch oversight and governance controls over hiring and spending practices.”
The SDA, which manages the construction and improvement of schools in 31 of the state’s poorest communities, is being investigated by the attorney general’s office for its hiring practices and recent allegations of employee file tampering. The authority has been accused of creating a patronage pit by hiring unqualified but personally-connected staff.
This week, DeCroce sent letters requesting support from Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblyman John Burzichelli (who is prime sponsor of bill S3268 that folds the SDA into the Economic Development Authority).
She wrote, “Placing the SDA into a department will make it more accountable to the administration and legislature while also making their budget more transparent.”
DeCroce is against moving the SDA into another authority like the EDA that is “in shambles independently.” The EDA is also at the center of controversy. The comptroller issued an audit that revealed the authority may have improperly awarded billions in tax incentives.
“Moving the SDA to the Division of Property Management & Construction] is the right strategy because it is critical that we ensure the services provided by the SDA are offered in a professional and transparent manner,” wrote DeCroce.
The division oversees the procurement of construction contracts for public works buildings for state agencies, leases for office and warehouse space, and the operation and maintenance of state-owned facilities.
Under DeCroce’s legislation, which she plans to introduce at the next quorum, the EDA would retain its responsibility for financing school construction projects.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School Environmental Club organized and hosted the annual grounds cleanup: Slam Dunk the Junk-Keep Morris County Litter Free, on April 25.
This is a state-wide campaign and held by the New Jersey Clean Communities Program and sponsored by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority.
PHS Environmental Club advisors Nancy Lennon and Kelly Garbarino, club President Caitlyn Ford, Vice President Winterlyn Curley, Secretary Hannah Webber, and many PHS students collected trash from the school grounds for over two hours. In the end, many bags of garbage and recyclables were collected and properly disposed of. Refreshments for the effort were supplied by the PHS PTSA and were very much appreciated.
The PHS Environmental Club will be receiving a $500 grant for participating in this campaign and will use the money to buy necessary equipment to further the recycling program at PHS.
PARSIPPANY — Little Vikings Cheerleaders Won First Place in National Competition earlier this year. Parsippany IHOP invited the Cheerleaders for a complimentary breakfast to congratulate them on their win.
MORRIS PLAINS — Chick-fil-A has selected Drew Blind as the local franchise owner of the chain’s Morris Plains restaurant as hiring of up to 125 new Team Members is under way in preparation for the projected June grand opening.
When Blind’s stand-alone Chick-fil-A location opens at 1711 Route 10 East it will be a homecoming for the New Jersey native who is relocating from the chain’s location inside Garden State Plaza in Paramus.
Blind, who grew up in Morris County, is excited to return to his hometown where numerous family members reside and where his Chick-fil-A career began. A Team Member at the chain’s location in Howell, Blind worked at Chick-fil-A as a teen and during breaks while attending college at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
After graduating with a degree in business management, Blind and his wife, Colleen, moved to South Carolina where he worked on the leadership team at a Charleston Chick-fil-A restaurant until his wife’s career brought them back to Pennsylvania.
Blind knew early on that Chick-fil-A’s focus of freshly prepared food, genuine hospitality and having a positive impact on the communities it serves matched his entrepreneurial goals. Blind became director of operations at the chain’s location in Nazareth and began his pursuit of owning his own restaurant while also serving on corporate teams helping open new locations around the country. His dream of owning his own restaurant was realized when he was selected to operate Paramus location in 2015.
Drew Blind
The new 4,700-square-foot Chick-fil-A location in Morris Plains will offer indoor seating for 102 and patio seating for 20 as well as a two-story playground for children. The interior will feature the chain’s heritage restaurant interior design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including subway tiles, large windows to let in natural light and a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood. A single drive-thru ordering lane will divide into two lanes for ordering to enhance the chain’s award-winning drive-thru service before merging back into a single lane for pickup. The new restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.
Blind has begun hiring as many as 125 Team Members as he builds his Morris Plains staff. He is filling full-time and part-time positions in all areas of the restaurant, including leadership development, hospitality, catering, training, and marketing. Each position will include benefits such as scholarships for continuing education. In addition, Chick-fil-A restaurant team members appreciate having Sundays off, flexible schedules, and the family atmosphere fostered at the restaurant.
Named one of the “best places to work” by Glassdoor, Chick-fil-A is known for hiring and retaining talent and offering a supportive workplace with opportunities for leadership development, respect for work-life balance and competitive wages.
Chick-fil-A Team Members are eligible for the chain’s initiative, Remarkable Futures. In 2019, more than 6,000 Team Members will be awarded with $15.3 million in scholarships, one of the highest unrestricted per employee scholarship investments in the industry. Team Members, who are beginning or continuing their higher education, are awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,500 or $25,000 which can be applied to any area of study at any accredited institution. In addition, Team Members have access to tuition discounts and other educational benefits at more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,428 restaurants in 47 states and Washington, D.C. Chick-fil-A reported more than $10 billion in revenue in 2018, which marks 51 consecutive years of sales growth. A leader in customer service satisfaction, consumers voted Chick-fil-A, Inc. fourth in Harris Poll’s annual corporate reputation survey, ranking the company fourth out of 100 in 2018. Chick-fil-A was also recognized for customer experience again in the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings survey, was named “Best Franchise Brand” in 2018 by Airport Revenue News and was named one of the top 100 best places to work by Glassdoor in 2017. Continuing its founder’s legacy of generosity and service, in 2019 Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures initiative awarded $15.3 million in scholarships to restaurant Team Members nationwide. In 2018 the company’s philanthropic Chick-fil-A Foundation awarded $1.23 million to 22 not-for-profit organizations across 18 states through the True Inspiration Awards. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com.
Gabriel Lukijaniuk, of Hackettstown, won third place in the individual competition at the 16th Annual New Jersey Undergraduate Mathematics Competition. Sofiia Shvaiko, of Livingston, won the highest-ranking individual score overall and the highest-ranking female score. Together, the two won first place for the highest-ranking team from a two-year institution.
MORRIS COUNTY — Two County College of Morris (CCM) freshmen won top prizes at the 16th Annual New Jersey Undergraduate Mathematics Competition (NJUMC) recently held at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg.
A total of 84 participants from two- and four-year colleges across the state competed individually and as teams. Sofiia Shvaiko, of Livingston, won the highest-ranking individual score overall and the highest-ranking female score. Her teammate, Gabriel Lukijaniuk, of Hackettstown, won third place in the individual competition. Together, they won first place for the highest-ranking team from a two-year institution.
Shvaiko is an international student from Kharkiv, Ukraine and has competed in several math competitions in Eastern Europe. Still, the computer science major was not certain she could win the top spot in the NJUMC. “My family was proud of me that I proved my knowledge outside of my country and had the skill to compete,” she says. When she graduates from CCM, she hopes to complete her bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University and become a software developer.
“Winning at the competition was strange,” Lukijaniuk says. “I wasn’t sure how I compared to other people who majored in math and had the same passion and studying habits as me. So I was actually quite surprised when I had found that I placed that high.”
Like his teammate, he prepared for the competition by going to the NJUMC website and taking tests from past competitions. He says the tips and techniques he learned from his math classes at CCM gave him an edge. He hopes to complete his bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University. His ideal job would be a combination of math professor and math researcher.
“Our thanks go out to the entire mathematics faculty for supporting these students throughout their academic journey, as well as to Don Phelps, director of Campus Life, and the Math Club for funding the competition,” says Associate Professor Kelly Fitzpatrick, advisor to the team. “These wins are truly impressive results.”
Following the competition, students enjoyed the day viewing poster presentations, listening to student talks and hearing from major companies about job opportunities for math majors in actuarial science, analytics and data science.
MORRIS COUNTY — Boys and girls in grades K-4 who are not yet Cub Scouts are invited to the Robert Tunnell Memorial Fishing Tournament at Winnebago Scout Reservation in Rockaway on Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Registration fee is $5.00 per youth in grades K-4 and $30.00 for older youth and adults.
Prizes will be awarded. Bagels at 7:30 a.m. and hamburger/hot dog lunch is included. A limited number of camp boats are available or bring your own boat. Only row boats with oars or electric motors are allowed.
Attendees will receive information for joining the Cub Scout pack in their town.
Winnebago Scout Reservation is at 102 Timberbrook Road.
To register, contact Patriots” Path Council, BSA membership executive Al Thomas, [email protected] by noon on May 9.
PARSIPPANY — At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department’s Communication Center received a 911 call reporting an officer accidentally shot himself in the leg at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy Firing Range.
The injured officer from the Department of Human Services Police Department, received immediate medical assistance from fellow officers and academy staff.
Par-Troy EMS arrived on scene and transported the officer to Morristown Medical Center with minor non-life threatening injuries.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers who also responded to the incident were advised that the officer was in the process of completing weapons qualifications when his weapon fired causing a minor injury to his thigh. No other injuries were reported.
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, May 11, Laura Fortgang and Christine Clarke, both mothers (of three and four respectively) and Democratic General Assembly candidates for Legislative District 26, will be hosting a clothing drive for Dress for Success from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the IHOP, 792 Route 46.
Dress for Success is a group that helps low-income and economically disadvantaged women by providing professional clothing, skills development, and networking opportunities to empower women to become independent and achieve success.
Donations of new and gently used professional clothes, shoes, new toiletries, and new hosiery will be collected. Donated clothes must be folded neatly in boxes or placed on hangers, garbage bags are not permitted. The donation is also tax deductible, and receipts will be available at the event.
Dress for Success’s model empowers women by helping each other. Applying for jobs is stressful for anyone, but when a mother enters the workforce for the first time or after a long time, the stakes are even higher. Christine and I look forward to working with the community to help support this great organization and these moms.”, says Laura Fortgang.
“It’s critical to see and uplift all members of our community. I’m proud that Laura and I are running campaigns committed to representing all of our constituents. I hope you’ll join us to commemorate the good work so many parents do this Mother’s Day by giving back with us and making a difference.”, says Christine Clarke.
PARSIPPANY — Funnybooks Comics & Stuff — the iconic, red brick comic shop located at 98 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha — will host the annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Everyone who visits will get to choose several comics from this year’s amazing selection of free comics — including Marvel’s Avengers and Spider-Man — produced exclusively for Free Comic Book Day 2019.
Free Comic Book Day collides with Star Wars Event this year, so you may also want to snag the free, all-ages, Star War Adventures Comic — and May the 4 be with you!
DC Comics offers two freebies of their own this year… a Justice League comic aimed at middle grade readers, and a Catwoman comic aimed at a teen audience. Other Best Bets for FCBD2019 include Stranger Things, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Incredibles, Riverdale, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Once again, Funnybooks’ owner, Steve Conte has created and produced his own comic book for Free Comic Book Day. The Funnybooks’ exclusive, Free Comic Book Day 2019 Action Figure Kingdom Activity Comic is filled with fun and games — including “How to Draw” activities — all based on the family-friendly, humorous, superhero Comic Book series, Action Figure Kingdom — which Conte both writes and illustrates — The newest issue — Action Figure Kingdom #11 — just hit the Funnybooks’ shelves this March.
“Free Comic Book Day is always the most exciting day of the year for Funnybooks, and one of the best days of the year for comic book fans.” notes Funnybooks owner, Steve Conte. “We pair Free Comic Book Day with a storewide sale, and it’s always a fun-filled comic book celebration.”
Speaking of celebrations… Funnybooks will celebrate its milestone 27th Birthday this June!
MORRIS COUNTY — The Joey Bella Memorial Fund, Inc. will host their annual fundraisers in early July. The Fund has been in existence for 30 years and has collected over one million dollars in donations which have been used to assist nearly 60 families with children who are affected with catastrophic illness in Denville and surrounding areas including Mt. Tabor, Rainbow Lakes, Boonton Township, Randolph, Morris Plains, Rockaway Boro and Rockaway Township.
The Tricky Tray is on Tuesday, July 2 “under the tent” at Gardner Field, Savage Road and Route 46W in Denville. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and calling begins at 8:00 p.m. $15.00 per person includes one sheet of tickets and light refreshments. No one admitted under 18 years–no infants permitted.
Please contact (973) 768-6487 for more information or to make a donation. Tickets sold at the door only.
Band Beer Beefsteak will be held on Wednesday, July 3 “under the tent” at Gardner Field, Savage Road and Route 46 West, Denville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $60.00 per person and include an all-you-can-eat Beefsteak Dinner served by Giresi Caterers and 16+ microbrew beers.
Entertainment provided by The Benjamins. Buy your tickets online by clicking here. For more information, email [email protected].
MORRIS COUNTY — The N.J. Police Community Affairs Officers Association held the Spring 2019 Graduation Ceremony for its Law Enforcement Career Development Course.
This session hosted by the Bergen County Sheriffs & Prosecutors Offices graduated diverse students from more than 30 colleges and universities. These students completed 10 weeks of intense preparation to become law enforcement officers.
This is the 10th year running the program throughout the region. To date they have graduated more than 800 college students who have attended this free training.
Their goal is to prepare an educated, professional, diverse workforce for the future of law enforcement.
Law Enforcement partners of the program include the N.J. State Police, NJ Attorney General, NJ Department of Corrections, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), NJ Asian American Law Enforcement Officers Association, Hispanic American Law Enforcement Association, Blacks in Law Enforcement Serving the Community (BLESC), Port Authority Police Hispanic Officers Society, Port Authority Police BiState Coalition, Italian American Police Society of N.J., international Council of Women in Law Enforcement along with a number of local, state and county law enforcement agencies.
For more information on N.J. Police Community Affairs Officers Association call (973) 298-0746.
PARSIPPANY — Congresswoman Sherrill jointly introduced a bipartisan bill to provide states funding to fight the opioid epidemic. Alongside Representatives David Trone (D-MD), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and Denver Riggleman (R-VA), Sherrill unveiled a proposal to authorize $5 billion to extend the State Opioid Response Grant program. The money distributed through these grants has helped to provide additional treatment beds, expand treatment and recovery options, bridge gaps identified in systems of care, support robust prevention campaigns, among other actions taken by the states to address the opioid epidemic.
“I told New Jerseyans that I would find ways to work for commonsense, bipartisan solutions to some of our greatest challenges,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. “New Jersey lost more than 3,000 individuals to overdoses in 2018, and this crisis extends to every corner of our country. I’ve spoken to advocates, patients, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement officers in our community, and the lack of resources constantly comes up as a roadblock to progress in combating the opioid epidemic. Extending the State Opioid Response Grant program will give New Jersey and states across the country resources to address the opioid epidemic over the long term.”
“This crisis affects each and every community across America, and we have to ensure that each state has the resources necessary to combat this tragedy,” said Congressman David Trone (D-MD). “In my first 100 days in office I spoke with health departments, hospitals, first responders, elected officials, police officers, incarcerated individuals, mental health professionals, early childhood organizations, and those suffering from addiction. I heard loud and clear that we need additional and consistent funding to end this crisis. This legislation does just that. I thank Representatives Armstrong, Sherrill, and Riggleman for joining me in this bipartisan effort.”
“As a national leader in opioid reduction and overdose prevention, we applaud the introduction of these grants. The impact of this funding could be far-reaching, saving thousands of lives each year and going a long way to addressing the opioid epidemic,” says Dr. Mark Rosenberg, Chief of Emergency Medicine at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, NJ and St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center. Dr. Rosenberg developed the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) program, a highly successful and unique approach to acute pain management without the use of opioids. St. Joseph’s was the first hospital in the country to launch the innovative ALTO program, reducing opioid prescriptions by over 82% in just 2 years.
“While we are seeing success in treatment and prevention in Sussex County, there is so much more to do to help our residents who struggle with addiction,” said Becky Carlson, Director of the Center for Prevention and Counseling in Sussex County. “There isn’t a single easy answer. This crisis requires sustained and creative solutions, from personalized care to education to support for families. As an SOR grant recipient, the Center for Prevention and Counseling knows the critical importance of this program, and the positive impact it’s had in Sussex. I’m glad Representative Sherrill is working with her colleagues to make this a priority.”
Representatives Sherrill, Trone, Armstrong, and Riggleman are members of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction. Led by Representative Trone, the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction includes more than 50 Members of the newly-elected freshman class from districts across the entire nation. The purpose of the group is to come together to understand the extent of the impacts of addiction and to jointly promote policies to reduce overdoses and deaths.
To read more about the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act, click here.
To watch Congresswoman Sherrill’s full remarks at the press conference this morning, click here.
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2019 Taste will be held Monday, 9-9-19 at the Hilton Hotel, One Hilton Court, Parsippany from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Join us for a one-of-a-kind evening, community wide celebration of food showcasing culinary specialties in the Parsippany Area, a spectacular auction, display tables, entertainment, tarot card and palm readers and so much more.
“This is about supporting the community, giving exposure to businesses, people learning about restaurants,” Peluso said. “Taste of Parsippany Area is about giving a kickstart to the local economy.”
Advance tickets are only $45.00 and are available by clicking here. Tickets at the door will be $55.00.
We are also seeking restaurants and food vendors to display their products.
For more information regarding “Taste of Parsippany Area 2019” contact Ildiko Peluso at [email protected] or call the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce at (973) 402-6400. You can also view our website by clicking here.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President Frank Cahill, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Arthur Ohlsen, Mayor Michael Soriano and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President Frank Cahill presented, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Arthur Ohlsen IV with a donation of $500.00 supporting the Police Unity Tour.
The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty.
The secondary purpose is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman Arthur Ohlsen IV is riding to Washington in memory of his father, the late Arthur Ohlsen III of the Dover Police Department.
Officer Arthur Ohlsen III was struck and killed by a New Jersey Transit train on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 while responding to reports of a brush fire near the railroad tracks under the South Salem Street overpass.
Officer Ohlsen was directing fire department personnel to the scene when he was struck. He was flown to Morristown Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries 45 minutes later.
Officer Ohlsen had served with the Town of Dover Police Department for 18 years, and is survived by his wife and two sons. At the time of his death he was 44 years old.
Members of various police departments, including Patrolman Arthur Ohlsen IV, come together to pedal in praise of their fallen comrades in the Police Unity Tour. Hundreds of police officers rode their bicycles from New York to Washington, D.C., to remember those whose lives were lost in the line of duty.
In May 1997, the Police Unity Tour was organized, by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. What started with 18 riders on a four day fundraising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Has grown into nine chapters consisting of nearly 2500 members nationwide who make the trip annually.
This past May we were proud to announce that the Police Unity Tour was able to donate 2.6 million dollars to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund bringing our total donations to almost 23 million dollars.
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey’s program to make community college tuition-free for certain students, which began with a pilot at 13 county colleges, is being expanded to cover eligible students at all 19 county colleges in the current spring semester.
“With this expansion, students in need at all 19 of our community colleges will have access to an education that is within financial reach and allows them to worry about their grades instead of how they will pay for school,” said Governor Murphy. “We know that if our students can obtain a higher education, our communities become more prosperous, their employers become more competitive, and the state economy becomes more innovative and attractive to businesses. I look forward to providing this critical opportunity to students at all 19 community colleges for the upcoming Fall and Spring semester.”
Thirteen county colleges across New Jersey began piloting the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program in January 2019, while all 19 county colleges indicated interest through their application for the Community College Innovation Challenge last summer. The expansion will provide qualifying students with the ability to attend county college tuition-free this spring at these six additional schools: Brookdale Community College; County College of Morris; Essex County College; Raritan Valley Community College; Rowan College at Burlington County; and Sussex County Community College.
Students across the state now will be eligible for CCOG if they meet the requirements of enrolling in at least 6 credits this spring, making satisfactory academic progress, coming from families with adjusted gross incomes between $0 and $45,000, and having a completed application for federal and state financial aid. Such students are eligible for CCOG, which is a “last-dollar” grant that covers any gap remaining between their tuition and covered educational fees and all other financial aid grants they receive. Current students who are already enrolled at these six additional institutions will be processed for potential CCOG eligibility over the next few weeks; students do not need to complete any additional application to be considered for eligibility.
“We initially pursued a pilot approach at 13 community colleges to ensure that the program costs did not exceed the funds appropriated. Throughout the pilot, all 19 county colleges have been working to build capacity for the program expansion and to share learnings and best practices during implementation with the goal of expanding in the fall,” said Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis. “We are delighted to announce that we now have room to expand this opportunity even earlier than anticipated to benefit all eligible students statewide.”
“The 19 county colleges recently provided detailed information about all of the students enrolled this Spring. Our analysis of these data shows that the current Fiscal Year 2019 funding for CCOG will be able to cover eligible students at all 19 county colleges, as a greater share of students are receiving other aid this semester, including Federal Pell grants and State TAG, than was the case in prior years” said David Socolow, Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. “We are delighted that students at New Jersey’s county colleges are hearing about this initiative to make college more affordable.”
The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) are jointly administering this funding opportunity. To learn more about the Community College Opportunity Grant click here.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany donates to 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
Their goal is to prepare an educated, professional, diverse workforce for the future of law enforcement.
Officer Arthur Ohlsen III was struck and killed by a New Jersey Transit train on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 while responding to reports of a brush fire near the railroad tracks under the South Salem Street overpass.