Become an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteer
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, Morris County tax preparation and assistance service, is preparing for the coming tax season and invites you to join now.
Work your mind. Warm your heart. Become a AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteer.
To become a volunter, please sign up:
- In Morris County contact Nancy Niemann – morristaxaide@gmail.com or (973) 539-3195
- Elsewhere, email taxaide@aarp.org or call Toll-free Nationwide 888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277)
- On the web, by clicking here and fill out the online application.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide started in 1968 with just four volunteers at one site preparing 100 tax returns. There are now more than 35,000 volunteers serving 2.6 million taxpayers annually at nearly 6,000 sites nationwide. In fact, we’re one of the most effective volunteer programs in America. But even though we’ve grown a lot, we’re still all about the grassroots. Get the joy and satisfaction of helping people in your own community with a much-needed service that’s free, individualized and has no strings attached. Your expertise will be appreciated more than you can imagine.
Whom will you help as a volunteer? Adults of all ages with low to medium income turn to AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. For many of them, a tax refund could mean they won’t have to choose between paying for groceries and keeping the lights on. Make a difference in your community.
Who volunteers? People like you.
- There’s a role for everyone. (All ages and backgrounds; AARP membership not required.)
- Use existing skills or learn new ones while providing an invaluable service to those who need your help.
- Make a difference in your community.
- Apply to join the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer team today!
For more information about the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program click here.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, a charitable affiliate of AARP, is offered in conjunction with the IRS.
NAI James E. Hanson Closes Sale of Twin Office Building Complex on Parsippany Boulevard
PARSIPPANY — NAI Hanson, a leading New Jersey-based commercial real estate firm, announced that it has arranged the sale of the 44,596-square-foot, class-A Boulevard Common office complex at 1140-1160 Parsippany Boulevard. The buyer, enterprise technology solutions provider Micro Strategies, Inc. will occupy the complex’s two buildings after relocating from Mt. Olive. They will be bringing close to 150 employees to Parsippany.
NAI Hanson Senior Vice President Josh Levering, SIOR and Executive Managing Director Michael Walters, SIOR marketed the twin-building campus on behalf of the property’s previous owner HGF Parsippany Blvd, LLC. The buyer was represented by Cushman and Wakefield.
According to Levering, Micro Strategies was impressed with the recently renovated complex’s overall package of offerings, including its condition and state-of-the-art infrastructure, its window lines, the opportunity to brand through visible building signage and its convenient location — less than one mile from Routes 287, 80 and 46, which enables direct driving access from every direction in Northern New Jersey
Levering also noted that this transaction reflects an emerging trend of companies pursuing opportunities to own the office facilities they occupy.
“We’re seeing increased interest among companies to purchase buildings they intend to occupy,” Levering said. “Buildings as well-maintained as Boulevard Commons have become attractive investment assets especially for growing companies that want to make long-term commitments the region. Property ownership is an expression that companies are committed long term and here to stay. Ownership indicates growth and prosperity with a desire to contribute to civic life in the community they locate.”
About NAI James E. Hanson
Since 1955, NAI James E. Hanson has been a leading independent full-service brokerage commercial real estate and property management firm serving a diverse client list. NAI Hanson offers its clients strategic solutions and provides comprehensive value-added services such as office, industrial and retail brokerage, investment sales, land sales, management, government services and financing expertise.
Rock wall gets in way of drunk driver
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, May 8, at 10:31 p.m. Mr. Stanton T. Vanwinkle IV, 32, Denville, was traveling south on Tabor Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a rock wall. Then his vehicle crossed into the opposite lane of travel, left the roadway and struck the rock wall on the opposite side of the street.
Mr. Vanwinkle fled the scene with significant damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle.
During the investigation by Parsippany Police Officer Ralph McGinnis it was determined the driver to be found intoxicated.
Mr. Vanwinkle was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to observe traffic lanes.
Mr. Vanwinkle was taken to Parsippany Police Headquarters for processing and his 2008 vehicle was towed from the scene by Lake Hiawatha Towing.
Editors Note: A complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Deer caused human to hit parked car; Human charged with DWI
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Brian Lucchese, 38, Succasunna, was traveling South on Lake Shore Drive, Lake Hiawatha when he stated a deer came out in front of the 1990 Ford he was driving, which caused him to hit a parked vehicle, continuing and striking a curb, driving onto the grass of a Lake Shore Drive residence and then striking bushes.
The parked vehicle was owned by Mr. William Saller, Lake Hiawatha. His 2001 Toyota was towed from the scene by C & L Towing.
Mr. Lucchese’s vehicle was also towed from the scene by C & L Towing.
Mr. Lucchese was charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to maintain in a lane.
This incident occurred on Monday, May 11 at 3:24 a.m., and was investigated by Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Michelle Kardos.
Editors Note: A complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dr. Edward J. Yaw to Retire as CCM President in 2016 Marking 30 Years of His Presidency and Leadership at the College
RANDOLPH — Dr. Edward J. Yaw, president of County College of Morris (CCM), announced that he has informed the CCM Board of Trustees that he will not seek renewal of his contract when it expires in August 2016.
Yaw told the college community of his decision this morning at CCM’s spring Professional Day for faculty and staff.
“I want to express my deep sense of gratitude for what we have been able to accomplish here,” said Yaw. “I am especially proud of our faculty. It is because of their dedication that our academic programs are so widely recognized in the state and even around the nation.”
Yaw was appointed the second president of the college in 1986, following the retirement of CCM’s first president, Dr. Sherman H. Masten. Yaw first joined CCM in 1980 as Dean of Academic Affairs. Prior to that, he served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Adelphi University in New York.
Under his leadership, CCM has become one of the state’s leading community colleges. As a result of his vision and guidance, the college has one of the highest combined transfer and graduation rates among community colleges in New Jersey. Students and faculty also are regularly presented with awards and honors for their accomplishments.
In addition, Yaw has played an instrumental role in shaping higher education in New Jersey through his work on professional and educational councils. During his service as chair of the New Jersey Presidents Council – representing all of the state’s colleges and universities – he led the effort to enact a statewide transfer agreement to ease the process for students seeking to pursue their educations beyond an associate degree. An active community leader, he has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and the Urban League of Morris County, offering his time and expertise to improving the lives of others.
Yaw earned his Ed.D. from Columbia University, his M.S. from Southern Illinois University and his B.A. from Harpur College, SUNY Binghamton.
Photo Credit: Life in MoPhoto
Redstock returns to Parsippany High School
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School will hold its annual Redstock on Saturday, June 13, inviting the public to participate in many sports activities and games behind the high school. The highlight of the festival will be the Powder Puff flag football game between the senior and junior girls.
This event focuses on bringing local families, students, school-based organizations and area businesses together for a FREE day of entertainment, music, games, food and fun! This year’s festival will feature a vendor area for local businesses to meet and interact with current and potential customers giving them the opportunity to directly distribute samples, promotional items and other marketing material, as well as sell.
The event starts at 12:00 Noon and ends at 4:00 p.m. offers food, live music, face painting, arts and crafts, bounce house, local businesses, dunk tank ($1.00), games and prizes and live entertainment. The PTSA will hold a Tricky Tray and Raffle.
Each business that participates will have their name printed on the back of all Restock tshirts and on sponsorship signage for the event. Parsippany High School will provide tables, chairs and electricity if needed. If any local business would like to participate, complete a 2015 PHS Redstock form, by clicking here and sending it to Chrissy Russell at Parsippany High School, 309 Baldwin Road, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 with a $25.00 registration fee. Questions can be directed to crussell@pthsd.k12.nj.us.
Due to the fields being worked on, the Central Middle School Flag Football game will start at 5:00 p.m. at Smith Field.
The Hawkeye Community awards will begin at 6:00 p.m., also at Smith Field, and the Juniors vs. Sensiors Powderpuff Football game will start at 6:30 p.m., also at Smith Field.
In addition, they will be collecting canned foods at the gate, so please donate.
Turf Fields at PHS ground breaking
PARSIPPANY —On Tuesday, May 12, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools kicked off a ground breaking event at Parsippny High School and now the Turf Fields are becoming a reality.
On Thursday, May 14, Parsippany Hills High School will have a ground breaking event starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education held a meeting on Thursday, February 19 and a presentation was made by the architect and engineer explaining the proposed turfing of the high school fields, the rebuilding of the Parsippany High School track and the construction of lights towers at Parsippany High School and the refurbishment of the light towers already at Parsippany High School.
Relay For Life receives proclamation from Mayor
PARSIPPANY — Mayor James Barberio presented the members of Relay for Life of Central Morris County with a proclamation on Tuesday, May 12.
The proclamation read:
Whereas, an estimated 51,410 residents in NJ will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and 16,250 will not survive; and
Whereas, no single non-governmental, not-for-profit organization in the United States has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer than the American Cancer Society. In fact, The American Cancer Society has helped make possible almost every major cancer research breakthrough since 1946, in 2013 having funded more than $150 million in cancer research through money raised in communities across the United States; and
Whereas, Relay For Life is the signature activity of the American Cancer Society and celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers, remembers loved ones lost to this disease and empowers individuals and communities to fight back against cancer; and
Whereas, more than three million people, about one in 99 Americans, will take part in Relay For Life this year, of which a half a million of the participants are cancer survivors; and
Whereas, the money raised at Relay For Life saves lives and creates a world with less cancer and more birthdays through funding fighting cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts, and life-affirming patient services; thus people staying well, helping people to get well, and finding cures for cancer by fighting back; and
Whereas, in 2014, within Relay For Life events held in Northwest New Jersey, $1.2 million was raised, there were over 1,100 teams, 10,000 participants, over 780 survivors, and over 1,400 caregivers who were impacted; and
Whereas, Parsippany, one of seven united communities included within Relay For Life of Central Morris County is joining over 5,200 other communities worldwide to host the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, an event to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who are no longer with us, and
Whereas, Paint the Town Purple is a celebratory activity of the American Cancer Society, a community-wide campaign that promotes cancer awareness, gives individuals and communities an opportunity to show their support and fight back against all forms of cancer, and
Whereas, Parsippany will be part of the Paint the Town Purple initiative within the month of May and schools, businesses and residents are invited to help spread the message of hope by tying a purple ribbon around a tree or light post and posting signs of support as well as about the event!
Now Therefore, I, James Barberio, Mayor of The Township of Parsippany do hereby proclaim the month of May to be Paint the Town Purple within Parsippany and further proclaim June 6 to June 7 to be American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Central Morris County. In doing so, I urge citizens to celebrate survivorship, remember loved ones lost to the disease, honor caregivers and join Parsippany community’s fight against cancer and encourage citizens to help the fight against cancer by participating in these activities. Only together will we find a cure!
American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Central Morris County will take place on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at County College of Morris, Randolph. Registration will start on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. with Opening ceremony beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the festivities continue all night long until 6:00 a.m. on the Sunday, June 7. There is no obligation to stay all day or overnight, so please join as they walk around the track to Fight Back, Celebrate, and Remember those touched by cancer!
There are three points to every Relay for Life Event – Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back. The celebration portion includes a dinner for cancer Survivors and their Care Givers. The remembrance portion includes a moving Luminaria Ceremony in which friends and loved-ones lost to cancer are remembered. The entire event is a way of fighting back against cancer by raising funds for Research. The American Cancer Society funds research for all types of cancer. 93% of all money raised goes to continuing research efforts.
The Theme for this year’s Relay will be “The 80’s” to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the inaugural Relay for Life in 1985. There will be themed laps, Dance Contests, Face-Painting for Children, and other fun events throughout the course of the event, and a survivor’s and caregivers dinner, as well as the evening Luminaria Ceremony starting at 9:00 p.m. Luminaria bags that line the track to honor or remember loved ones in our lives that are touched by cancer can be purchased online, by clicking here.
By supporting Relay For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save more than 400 lives a day, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
For more details, to be a sponsor, sign up a team or to register for the event, click here.
Giving on the Green: Employment Horizons’ Tenth Anniversary Golf Classic
Employment Horizons, Inc. will host its Tenth Anniversary Golf Classic on Monday, June 15 at Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown. This year’s event is sponsored by My Limo of East Hanover, serving as Premier Sponsor with Vision Real Estate Partners and the Steven and Beverly Rubenstein Charitable Foundation serving as Associate Sponsors. The Provident Bank Foundation will serve as our Tote Bag Sponsor.
In our community, hundreds of hardworking people with disabilities dream of earning a paycheck and living as valued, productive members of society. The Golf Classic offers an opportunity for members of the community to help make this dream a reality. All proceeds from the event help fund the agency’s services, which give individuals with disabilities an opportunity to earn a paycheck while receiving valuable training
Golfer registrations and sponsorships will be accepted through May 28 and can be submitted online by clicking here or by contacting Maria Verducci-Florio at (973) 538-8822 ext. 240. Registration includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, golfer gift, cocktail reception and buffet dinner.
Founded in 1957, Employment Horizons, Inc. is the premier not-for-profit agency providing high-quality competitively priced services to the business community through its commercial operations while at the same time, furthering its mission to assist people with special needs to achieve their vocational objectives and establish self-sufficiency in the community. To learn more, please visit www.emhorizons.org.
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse has launched a statewide awareness campaign
NEW JERSEY — The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA) has launched a statewide awareness campaign, “Addiction Does Not Discriminate” to help fight drug abuse by showing that no one is immune to the deadly drug problem.
This program provides New Jersey residents with information on preventing abuse, Since April 2015, there have been approximately 400 overdoses involving synthetics along East Coast between Alabama to New York. The current brand associated with this outbreak of overdoses is “K2” (pictured below). This is a popular brand that is available both online and at local convenient stores. Lab analysis is pending to determine the cause of the overdoses. In New Jersey, it is illegal to possess, sell, offer to sell, or manufacture synthetic drugs.
Click here to download more information.
Superintendent Rixford plans another open house
PARSIPPANY — Superintendent of Schools Scott Rixford is planning another open house on Wednesday, May 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Do you have a question, any question, about matters which affect the global operations, district programs, advice, or concerns about the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District?
Mr. Scott Rixford, Superintendent of Schools, has set aside several dates for parents and community members to come in ask those questions one-on-one.
No need for an appointment, we extend the invitation for you to come in and discuss any issue.
All Open Houses will be held at the Board of Education Buildings, 292 Parsippany Road.
The meetings have been scheduled in the late afternoon/early evening, to accommodate parent/community work schedules on the following dates: Wednesday, May 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This is not the forum to discuss individual student needs; it is important that those concerns be addressed by the person closest to the source and then proceed up the Chain of Command. (Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Central Office Administrator in charge of area [Director of PPS for special education matters, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer for instructional matters, Superintendent)
If you have any questions call (973) 263-7200 Ext. 7250.
Thomas Goetschkes earns “Communication Badge”
PARSIPPANY — Thomas Goetschkes, a First Class scout with Troop 72, attended the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council meeting on Tuesday, May 12 to earn his “Communication Badge.”
To earn a communication badge, the scout can select from a list of requirements. The scout can choose to attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) where several points of view are given on a single issue.
Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Then the scout had to prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with their counselor.
Communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field of communication promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication.
This badge is one of the many badges the scout must earn before earning Eagle Rank.
After the meeting was over, Thomas had an opportunity to speak to Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., and ask him questions regarding the issues that were discussed during the meeting.
For over 60 Years Troop 72 has served the youth of the general Parsippany area, including Boonton, Denville, Parsippany, and Morris Plains. Boys from ages 11 to 18 are invited to join. For more information, click here.
Hager Joins the Morris County Historical Society’s Board of Trustees
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall is please to announce that Mary Hastings Hager has joined the Morris County Historical Society’s Board of Trustees for a two-year term. Ms. Hager brings an extensive background in higher education, social services, and in research in the food and drug industries to the Board. Ms. Hager most recently worked in government relations as Director of Regulatory Affairs at the American Dietetic Association (now Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and served as an interim vice president for their government affairs office in Washington, D.C. Ms. Hager was also a professor of Foods and Nutrition at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown,NJ, and founding Associate Dean of the College’s Graduate Programs.
While recently residing in Tokyo, Japan, Ms. Hager was elected to the Board of Directors of the College Women’s Association of Japan, a 500-member organization representing 30 countries.She served two terms on the organization’s Board, as Parliamentarian, and also, as Director of Public Relations overseeing Publicity and Donations/Sponsorship activities.
The Morris County Historical Society was founded in 1945. The Society’s mission is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, promotion, and interpretation of Morris County history through events, programs, exhibits, and preservation advocacy. The Morris County Historical Society is a member-supported, 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
Super PAC spokesman linked to Waterview Developer, campaign photo raises questions
PARSIPPANY — If five words could sum up the 2015 Republican Primary race, those words would be “Democratic Super PAC invades Parsippany.” Last month it was revealed that NJ’s Future First (NJFF), a Super PAC with ties to Essex County Democrats and President Obama was hiring campaign workers to support Councilman dePierro’s Council slate and was mailing flyers in support of him and his running mates, Vincent Ferrara and Loretta Gragnani. dePierro has steadfastly denied all claims.
According to state and federal laws, PACs may support issues, but may not have any contact with individual candidates. When first made aware of the NJFF’s presence in Parsippany, dePierro told Politickrnj that “this must have been arranged by someone who sees what they’re [Councilman Paul Carifi] doing on council and doesn’t like their conduct at council meetings. Parsippany is the largest town [in Morris County] and all these years I never felt completely in control [of what happens in campaigns].”
“I don’t know who the PAC is,” he added. “I haven’t even seen the mailer. I understand they misspelled my name. I haven’t seen this.”
In an article published today and written by the Star Ledger and re-posted by Parsippany Focus, Timothy White, the Super PAC’s spokesman told the Star Ledger that NJFF represents “the collaboration of several New Jersey business professionals who were concerned that the partisan gridlock stymieing Washington, D.C. was being replicated on all levels of government. A network was created with intent on providing a new voice….NJFF has identified Parsippany Councilman Carifi as being a particularly divisive individual who is more concerned with political ambitions and personal vendettas than providing good government to the township.”
Parsippany Focus has learned that Timothy White is no stranger to Parsippany. White, a vice president at the Beckerman public relations firm, has previously been retained by Steve Kalafer, one of the investors of the controversial Whole Foods development plan at “Waterview”, a project, Carifi and his team oppose, and one that dePierro and his slate support.
In 2013, White, working for Waterview developer partner Kalfer, penned “letters to the editor” on behalf of various individuals in support of the project and issued press releases for the building trades unions, of which NJFF director Robert Dombroski is a member of.
In one email, White wrote Kalfer and his personal assistant:
Bob Grieb from the Pipefitters was nice enough to lend his name to the quote in the press release, I thought we can follow up with a letter to the editor from Bob that we can publish in the Daily Record, The PATCH and The Star-Ledger.
Attached is a draft of a letter from Bob. Do you think we can get him to approve this letter? If so I would just need his phone number and e-mail address for verification purposes and I will submit on his behalf.
Thanks again,
TW
In another email, Mr. Kalafer’s assistant asked another Waterview development partner, Joseph M Forgione, to forward a Timothy White authored press release to Parsippany Township attorney John Inglesino.
A Photo Tells a Thousand Words
Parsippany Focus recently compared three photos being used by the dePierro, Ferrara, and Gragnani team and the Super Pac. All three photos are the same except for some cropping. The first photo was taken from dePierro’s official Facebook page. There is a watermark showing the photographer who took the official portrait.
The second photograph shows an official dePierro campaign flyer. The same official photograph is used, but it was cropped to fit within the flyer.
The third photograph is a flyer produced by the Super PAC NJ’s Future First. Again, the official diPierro photograph is used, however without any cropping (the misspelling of dePierro’s name has since been corrected on more recent flyers) this time.
Jeffrey Brindle, the executive director of Nj’s Election Law Enforcement Commission recently blasted the Super PAC in an Op-ed for PolitickrNJ.
Parsippany Focus has asked Councilman dePierro and Timothy White, spokesman for NJ’s Future First for comment and will update if and when any are provided.
Update: Councilman diPierro told Parsippany Focus that “No one in my campaign had any contact with that PAC nor did we share any information or photos with that PAC! If you check our facebook site, our web site or the Township website, all of our photos and information are readily available to anyone.”
editor’s note: The photo NJFF used is indeed the same photograph used on Mr. diPierro’s Facebook page. However, Parsippany Focus stands by it’s assertion that it would be impossible to use the Facebook photo on the NJFF’s flyer. NJFF could only have used an original source photo, paid for by dePierro’s team and unpublished anywhere without the photographer’s watermark.