MORRISTOWN — Preschool Advantage was honored once again to be the recipient of The Peck School fundraiser, “Pasta for Preschool.” Generous members of the Peck community purchased raffle and dinner tickets to attend a delicious family style pasta buffet organized by community- minded Peck seventh graders and their advisers. The fundraiser raised $11,130.71 in all — enough to send two children to preschool. Molly Dunn, executive director at Preschool Advantage, said “the commitment of all the students, faculty and parents was truly inspirational and our continued partnership with The Peck School invaluable.”

At the event, Yana, a Preschool Advantage parent, shared her daughter’s preschool experience. When Yana’s daughter entered preschool, she was not verbal, had no playmates, and knew only the Russian language. After a month in preschool, the three year old began to speak in English and is now a confident and chatty six year-old! Yana credits the preschool experience with instilling confidence in her young daughter, and she is grateful for the tuition assistance the family received from Preschool Advantage.

Preschool Advantage is a non-profit organization with the vision that all children should have access to high quality early education. Since its inception over 20 years ago, almost 1,500 tuitions have been paid, and it is the organization’s goal to fund 100 tuitions in 2019.  Applications are now available for the 2019 – 2020 academic year with priority funding given to those who apply by February 28.  To learn more about Preschool Advantage or to obtain an application call (973) 532-2501 or click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Freeholders Deborah Smith of Denville and John Krickus, of Washington Township were sworn into office for second terms, while former Mountain Lakes Mayor Stephen Shaw took the oath of office this evening for his first term on the Morris County Board of Freeholders.

At county government’s 2019 Annual Meeting held in Morristown, Freeholder Doug Cabana also was selected by his peers for a third consecutive term as director of the board, while Freeholder Heather Darling was chosen as deputy director.

Showing their support for those who took the oaths tonight were a host of political dignitaries, including state Sens. Kristen Corrado, Tom Kean and Joe Pennacchio; Assemblymen Anthony Bucco, Michael Patrick Carroll, BettyLou DeCroce, and Christopher DePhillips.

Also on hand was former Freeholder Christine Myers, who declined to seek re-election last year, former Freeholder John Inglesino, and former Freeholder and longtime Morris Plains Mayor Frank Druetzler, who ended more than four decades as mayor on January 1.

“It is an honor for me, and a privilege I take very seriously, to have been chosen again by my colleagues as freeholder director,” said Freeholder Cabana, who hails from Boonton Township and is the longest serving member of the county governing board, starting in 1997.

“My goals in 2019 are to make decisions that benefit all residents of Morris County, to keep close watch on spending while delivering critical public safety and quality of life services.”

Critical issues for 2019, he told an overflow audience in the County Administration and Records Building, include:

• Continuing to preserve the county’s top-ranked Triple A bond rating, and maintain the county’s prudent and responsible financing and budgeting.

• Continuing to make the safety of our residents a priority by providing the best-educated, trained, and equipped police, fire, EMS and first response services across our county.

• Working to ensure a positive environment for our business community, by helping to ensure they have a well-trained workforce that will keep our companies and jobs here in Morris County.
• Working closely with our 39 municipalities on shared services, and incorporating the goals developed in the county’s new Strategic Plan into our county-municipalities’ relationship.

Cabana was mayor of Boonton Township for six years and a member of the township’s governing body for 11 years. He is a member of the 200 Club of Morris County and a former president of the Morris County League of Municipalities.

A past president of the New Jersey Association of Counties, it was under his leadership in 2006 that the association became an initial driving force behind the now popular concept of “shared services.” Cabana will continue in 2019 as Morris County’s representative to that statewide association, a role he has held since 1999.

Some specific projects to be addressed by the county in 2019 include starting up the county’s new Navigating Hope mobile social services operation, building a new $10 million County College of Morris engineering and manufacturing facility, starting work on the new 4.4-mile Pequannock-to-Wayne Recreational Trail, continuing and expanding special training program on school violence for law enforcement and educators.

He also spoke of the need to deal with the infestation of the county’s ash trees by a tree-killing insect, and pursuing the county’s petition to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow historic houses of worship to participate in the county’s historic preservation program.

Also, he said the board in 2019 will take key steps to consider long-term judicial space needs at the county court and government complex in Morristown. He noted that a special information session for the public will be held next Wednesday evening, January 9, in Morristown.

The Morris County Board of Freeholders will hold its first 2019 work session in Morristown on the afternoon of January 9, at 4:30 p.m., and its first regular public meeting at 7:00 p.m.

BOONTON — At the Morris County Freeholder’s  2019 Annual Meeting held in Morristown, Freeholder Doug Cabana  was selected by his peers for a third consecutive term as director of the board, while Freeholder Heather Darling was chosen as deputy director.

Cabana was mayor of Boonton Township for six years and a member of the township’s governing body for eleven years. He is a member of the 200 Club of Morris County and a former president of the Morris County League of Municipalities.

A past president of the New Jersey Association of Counties, it was under his leadership in 2006 that the association became an initial driving force behind the now popular concept of “shared services.”

Cabana will continue in 2019 as Morris County’s representative to that statewide association, a role he has held since 1999.

CEDAR KNOLLS – Do you have questions about the meaning of Life? About the Christian Faith? Have you ever wondered whether Christianity is relevant to your life? Have you ever thought, “There must be more to life than this?”

We invite you to experience ALPHA, where you will be able to explore these questions and share your point of view. There are no judgments, and any question is welcomed!

What to expect at ALPHA:
1) First up there’s a MEAL, a great way to encourage community and get to know each other.
2) Then a Video TALK on the big issues around faith and the basics of Christianity.
3) Followed by small group DISCUSSION, an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly an open environment.

Try ALPHA! The journey begins Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. and will run weekly through April 24, at Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Church, 75 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls.

Register online by clicking here. Contact Barbara and Ed Katona at (973) 214-1657 or email [email protected].

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders will hold a special public session on the evening of Wednesday, January 9, to outline the specific needs and requirements for state judicial facilities in Morris County, and the reasons for the consideration of Morris County Courthouse expansion and renovations.

The special forum will take place during the Freeholder Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the County Administration and Records Building in Morristown.

Officials from the Morris County courts, law enforcement, engineering and public safety are scheduled to make brief presentations on the courthouse issue during this special session.

Providing adequate court facilities and securing those facilities are the sole responsibility of each respective county in New Jersey. Previously, the Morris County Freeholder Board commissioned a Space Needs and Facilities Assessment pertaining to the judiciary and county government.

That Space Needs Assessment identified a significant shortfall in criminal, family and civil court facilities.

A redacted version of that Needs Assessment (with sensitive security information blacked out) is posted on the main page of the Morris County website for public review. You can read or download the summary and the full report by <a href=”https://morriscountynj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/SpaceStudy-Final.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>clicking here</a>.

At a December 12 meeting, the Freeholder Board, by a unanimous vote following a public hearing process, adopted two capital ordinances totaling $5 million that could finance a design of the proposed new and expanded court facilities.

The need for courthouse expansion will be discussed at the January 9 public session, at which the public will be able to comment. Also, a one-month formal public comment period will commence following the meeting.

<strong>Some Background:</strong><strong> </strong>

In Morris County, the county government, the state courts, and related nonprofit organizations currently operate from the Morris County Courthouse, the Morris County Administration and Records Building, and the Schuyler Annex Building in downtown Morristown, with additional state‐level court services housed in leased space.

Over time, as the needs of the county and the state have grown, so has the need for more secure and accessible facilities from which to operate. Morris County has attempted to meet these needs on a project-by-project basis, utilizing available facilities and space in the most efficient manner possible.

In late 2016, it became apparent that an analysis of existing available space was needed, coupled with a comprehensive and long‐term examination and evaluation of current and future space needs. In early 2017, Morris County retained a team of consultants led by consulting firm Dewberry to undertake this needs assessment and master planning effort.

The study was scoped with addressing the capital facility needs of Morris County for both county government and state court functions, looking at least 20 years into the future, and developing a capital facility master plan level strategy to meet those needs.

Following months of data gathering, interviews with key officials and stakeholders, in‐depth analyses, and development and evaluation of optional solutions, several key findings emerged that defined the recommended solution.