ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP – Services for the three people killed in a chain reaction crash last weekend on Route 80 will be held Saturday in Kentucky, where the family lived, according to the funeral home handling the arrangements. The accident claimed the lives of Briana Mae Anderson, 21, her fiance, Edward Russell Hitt, 24, and their one-and-a-half-year-old…
Parsippany Police remind pedestrians to use crosswalks; drivers yield to pedestrians
PARSIPPANY — As the weather has warmed up over the last few weeks more people have been out walking around town. For your safety always use the marked crosswalks at intersections and mid street, where applicable.
If you are in a marked crosswalk with walk, don’t walk signals, you must obey the walk/don’t walk signals. Failure to do so may result in a summons.
If the marked crosswalk is not controlled by any signs or signals, traffic must stop for you, or they can be ticketed. This does not mean you should dart into the roadway in marked crosswalk. Always be safe.
If no crosswalks are present you must yield the right of way to vehicles. You should always look both ways and confirm no vehicles are coming.
If a vehicle fails to yield the right of way, you can write down their license plate information. You can then go to the Parsippany Municipal Court and issue a summons. Police Officers cannot issue a summons unless we witness the violation.
So far 82 pedestrians have been struck and killed by motor vehicles during various incidents this year in the State of New Jersey.
For reference here are some of the pertinent traffic laws:
39:4-32 Crossing a Roadway
39:4-33 Use of Designated crosswalk: PEDESTRIANS MUST obey pedestrian signals and use crosswalks at signalized intersections. Both carry a $54.00 fine for failure to observe the law.
39:4-36 Driver to yield to pedestrian at crosswalk: MOTORISTS in New Jersey MUST stop for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Failure to observe the law may subject you to one or more of the following: 2 points, $200 Fine, 15 days community service and/or insurance surcharges.
The driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, but shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except at crosswalks when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police officers or traffic control signals, or where otherwise prohibited by municipal, county, or State regulation, and except where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided, but no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
For more information, click here.
Police Department makes presentation at Community Center
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Police Officers Remo D’Alessandro and Brian Conover gave a presentation at the Parsippany Community Center on Knoll Road about identity theft and phone scams, on Wednesday, July 15.
A few points the Parsippany Police Departmetn would like to repeat to the public are:
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Never give any personal information over the phone unless you can verify who is calling. When in doubt hang up and call them at a number that you know, such as the one off the back of your credit card or billing statements.
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Communicate with family members, who are not going, prior to vacations or trips so they know where you will be. Scams have evolved to the point were people will call and state that their family member has either been in a bad car accident, kidnapped, or arrested at some location.They demand you wire them money or purchase money cards and give them the information for their medical treatment/ransom/or bail. These scams are extremely frequent.
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If you receive an email or phone call that you won the lottery in some overseas country or someone overseas has millions of dollars they need your help securing, I’m sorry to say its a scam.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not call and demand money to be sent them or else you will be arrested.
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Always research the charity that is calling for a donation. Scammers will attempt to use tragic situations to tug at your emotions and get you to donate.
Kiwanis International delegates make history, elect first female president of organization
Susan A. “Sue” Petrisin will be the first female president-designate of a major international service organization following elections at the 100th Annual Kiwanis International Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Lance Incitti, of Denville, a member of Denville Kiwanis Club was elected to the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees.
Kiwanis celebrated 100 years of service to children of the world with a pancake lunch and birthday celebration, a playground dedication and a business meeting.
“In being elected it is an opportunity to continue serving the children of the world” said Incitti, a 28-year member of Kiwanis. Incitti has served as a Distinguished Club President, Distinguished Lieutenant Governor, Distinguished Governor of the New Jersey District of Kiwanis and in 2008 was appointed to the Kiwanis International Foundation Board and served as President of the International Foundation in 2013-2014. The Kiwanis Club of Denville provides annual scholarships to County College of Morris, sponsors a little league team, Eagle Scout projects, St. Francis Octoberfest, the Deville food pantry and rings bells for the Salvation Army.
Petrisin, of East Lansing, Michigan, USA, will assume her duties on October 1, 2015. She is associate director of alumni programs for the Michigan State University Alumni Association and has been involved in Kiwanis for nearly 25 years as a member of the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing. She also has held multiple leadership roles with Kiwanis youth programs.
Also elected were Jane Erickson, Bellevue, Nebraska, USA, president-elect, and James “Jim” M. Rochford, Peoria, Illinois, USA, vice president. Erickson, a Kiwanis member for 25 years and past governor of the Nebraska-Iowa District, has served in nearly every club leadership role and as president of Kiwanis International Foundation. Rochford, an international trustee and past governor of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District, has been an active member of Kiwanis since 1979.
“Kiwanis will concentrate on serving the children of the world in our 101st year,” Petrisin said. “Our mission is serving the children of the world, wherever we have a Kiwanis club, and we’ll focus on how to best serve our communities as we launch our next century of service.”
Also elected at the 2015 Kiwanis International convention in Indianapolis, home of Kiwanis International, were new members of the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees. They include: John E. DeVilbiss, West Alexandria, Ohio, USA and Terry A. White, Evansville, Indiana, USA. Their three-year terms also begin October 1, 2015.
The new members join Immediate Past President John Button, M.D., of Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada; Kenneth A. Alovera, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines; Patricia “Patti” Barsotti, San Ramon Valley, California, USA; Bruce Berven, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Kevin Dean, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Patrick R. Ewing, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Koshiro “Kit” Kitzato, Tokyo, Japan; Marcel Kreienbühl, Gossau-Flawil, Switzerland; Florencio C. “Poly” Lat, Inter-City Homes, Muntinlupa, the Philippines; Arthur N. “Art” Riley, Westminster, Maryland, USA; Dewey Smith, Albany, Georgia, USA, Barbara K. “Barb” Thompson, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; and Daniel Vigneron, Howald, Luxembourg, elected last month in Luxembourg at the Kiwanis International-European Federation convention.
About Kiwanis
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs, including Circle K International for university students, Key Club for students age 14–18, Builders Club for students age 11–14, Kiwanis Kids for students age 6–12 and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities, annually dedicate more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. The Kiwanis International family comprises nearly 600,000 adult and youth members in 80 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International, visit www.kiwanis.org.
Court finds that Summit Housing Authority violated OPRA
SUMMIT — Union County Superior Court Judge James Hely issued an opinion on Monday, July 13 that the Summit Housing Authority failed to properly reply to an Open Public Records Act request for minutes of the non-public (executive or closed session) meetings of its Board of Commissioners.
The ruling followed oral argument on July 10. The court date was announced along with details of the case last week (click here to read article).
The Judge opined that the request for the last three sets of closed session minutes was unambiguous and found fault with the Authority’s attempt to narrow the search window to only the tenure of its current Executive Director / Custodian of Records. The request included no such limitation, nor does the law authorize that interpretation, the court ruled.
Per its own admission, the agency hasn’t kept minutes for closed session meetings held since its current Director, Joseph M. Billy, Jr., began on April 1, 2013. The agency didn’t contest that minutes exist for closed sessions held in earlier years but failed to provide copies of those minutes in its response to the OPRA request.
Decision is still pending with regard to Open Public Meetings Act violations, which include the agency’s failure to keep minutes for its non-public meetings.
Parsippany Communications Firm Welcomes Boonton Resident as Intern
PARSIPPANY — Sumera Munhaf recently began a summer internship with SCG (Success Communications Group), a full-service communications firm located at 26 Eastmans Road.
Munhaf, a rising junior at Seton Hall University in South Orange is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in graphic design. Munhaf is a member of the Leadership Development Honors Program and is the President of the Women’s Leadership Program.
“Interning at Success Communications Group will allow me to acquire valuable skills which will better prepare me for my career,” says Munhaf. “I am thankful for this opportunity because it will allow me to gain hands-on experience in the communications field.”
Since January 2003, more than 200 college students from approximately 50 different colleges and universities have participated in SCG’s continuing public relations internship program. These student have earned significant professional experience and, in many cases, college credit as well.
Founded more than half a century ago, SCG (Success Communications Group) provides 21st century communication services highlighted by creativity, passion, and innovation. With specific expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, social media, digital marketing, and recruitment, SCG is headquartered in Parsippany with regional offices in the metro areas of Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa.
Family Law Expert Challenges Lawmakers to Revamp Domestic Violence Laws
PARSIPPANY — Following the tragic Asbury Park killing of Tamara Seidle, allegedly murdered by her ex-husband, Neptune police Sgt. Philip Seidle, New Jersey family law expert Bari Z. Weinberger, Esq. is demanding the NJ Legislature revamp the state’s dated domestic violence laws. Weinberger has offices at 119 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 120.
– The officer must surrender their weapons on the spot;Ms. Weinberger, a featured expert in the recent Asbury Park Press investigative report, Inside the Dark World of Domestic Violence, addressed current police protocol for domestic violence calls when the alleged domestic violence offender is a fellow police officer. Among special rules that apply:
– The county prosecutor must investigate allegations immediately. While the case is pending, the prosecutor can find that guns should remain out of the hands of the accused officer; and
– If a charge or complaint is withdrawn, the officer’s department chief must still investigate to determine if the officer can carry a firearm.
According to Weinberger, even with these rules in place, more can be done to protect domestic violence victims.
“Although New Jersey has some of the most stringent DV laws in the nation, we still have a long way to go in how well they function to protect victims and punish offenders,” she said in a statement.
To this end, Weinberger, who has represented domestic violence cases in the state for over 15 years, is issuing a challenge to New Jersey lawmakers to prioritize a string of domestic violence bills introduced last fall, around the time of the Ray Rice scandal. Since then, the bills have languished in committee. These include:
- A2154, a bill allowing domestic violence victims to testify by closed circuit television, and
- A3801, establishing a three-year Domestic Violence Court pilot program in Monmouth and Camden counties.
- A3802, which upgrades domestic violence crimes and includes a mandatory three years of imprisonment for offenders who injure their victims.
- A3803, which requires that all judges receive at least three hours of domestic violence training.
“I am eager to sit down with lawmakers to give them guidance on why these domestic violence laws deserve to be passed.” she stated.
Weinberger also encourages discussion of whether police officers should be required to leave their weapon at the station when not on duty. Tamara Seidle was reportedly murdered by multiple gunshots from Philip Seidle’s service firearm.
“If such a rule were in place, could this murder have been prevented? This is a discussion that needs to take place with lawmakers and I am prepared to lead it,” she stated.
Franklin Lakes Police arrest Parsippany man on DWI
PARSIPPANY — Franklin Lakes Police issued 40 summonses and made several arrests during a DWI enforcement checkpoint on Route 208 in Franklin Lakes over the weekend of Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.
A Parsippany resident, Thomas Green Jr., 42, was charged with DWI and no registration or proof of insurance as part of the DWI enforcement. Mr. Green was driving a 2005 Madza, according to Franklin Lakes Detective Lieutenant John Bakelaar. He also stated he was released to a friend, and would not disclose his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Mr. Green was charged on Saturday, July 11.
In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he/she operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. BAC refers to the amount of alcohol in your blood. Although the law refers to a 0.08 percent BAC, you can be convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor even when your BAC is below 0.08 percent.
Editors Note: A complaint or a charge is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CCM to close for College-Wide Electrical Repairs
RANDOLPH — The County College of Morris (CCM) will be closed from Saturday, August 1, through Sunday, August 9, due to the installation of new electrical switchgear that will replace the original equipment that was installed when the college first opened in 1968.
The upgrades will result in improved reliability of the college’s electrical service and reduce equipment maintenance costs.
Switchgear or electrical switchgear is a generic term which includes all the switching devices associated with power system protection.
Both CCM’s main Randolph campus and its Morristown location will be closed during that period. The CCM Department of Public Safety will maintain patrols of the campuses during the closure.
The CCM website will not be affected by the shutdown, but WebAdvisor, the online tool that allows students and others to access class schedules and related information, will not be available beginning on 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, due to a system upgrade.
It is anticipated that WebAdvisor will be available again on Thursday, August 6. A message will be posted on the CCM website when WebAdvisor becomes available.
Local Students Named To Dean’s List At Loyola University
PARSIPPANY — Loyola University Maryland has announced the members of its spring 2015 Dean’s List. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List at Loyola, a student must achieve a minimum QPA of at least 3.500 for the term, provided that, in the term they have successfully completed courses totaling a minimum of 15 credits. The following local students have achieved this honor:
Andrew Rodrigues, a 2013 Graduate of Parsippany High School. He is a member of the class of 2017.
Nelson Gonzalez, Graduated Brooklawn Middle School Class of 2010, and St. Peter’s Preparatory School, Class of 2014. He is a member of the class of 2018.
John Mucciolo, Graduated Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2014 and is a member of the class of 2018 at Loyola University Maryland.
Established in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is a Catholic, Jesuit comprehensive university comprising Loyola College, home to the University’s arts and sciences programs; the Sellinger School of Business and Management; and the School of Education. Loyola enrolls 3,700 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students from across the country.
Motor Vehicle stop in Parsippany nets seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the guilty plea entered by Pablo A. Home, 30, of Sparta, on Wednesday, July 15 before the Honorable William J. McGovern, J.S.C.
Home pled guilty to one count of first-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1). The State is recommending ten (10) years New Jersey State Prison with thirty-one (31) months parole ineligibility. Defendant also agreed to forfeit $13,676.00 which were the proceeds of his drug distribution activity.
This plea is the culmination of a three month long investigation into the drug distribution/money laundering activity of Home. Money Laundering is also known as the financial facilitation of criminal activity. Home transported U.S. currency derived from his drug distribution activities.
This case was initiated in February of this year based on intelligence gathered by a municipal patrol officer in the Borough of Wharton following a motor vehicle stop on Route 46. This intelligence ultimately led to law enforcement halting the importation of a large quantity of powder cocaine and crack cocaine into Morris County by Home.
This investigation concluded on Thursday, May 21 with the motor vehicle stop and arrest of Home in Parsippany and the seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine with a street value in excess of $12,000.00 as well as U.S. Currency.
Home has been lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on a $200,000.00 no 10% bail set by the Honorable William J. McGovern, J.S.C.
This investigation was led by Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Scibetta and Detective George Tsimpedes of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force.
Prosecutor Knapp stated “This investigation and prosecution was a coordinated effort of our Narcotics Task Force and municipal police. Municipal law enforcement remains a critical element of narcotics interdiction and our special thanks go out to the Wharton and Parsippany Police Department’s for their vigilance.”
Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp specifically wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, theTownship of Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Borough of Wharton Police Department.
Home is scheduled to be sentenced before The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor on September 11, 2015.
Update: Downed utility pole on Route 46 caused traffic jams
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, July 11, at approximately 12:29 p.m., Mr. Antonio Ybanez, 18, Parsippany, was traveling west on Route 46, in the right lane, when he veered off the roadway and struck and knocked down a utility pole.
Mr. Yabanez, who was driving a 2001 Blue Toyota Wagon stated he was driving and the steering wheel began shaking and he veered off the roadway.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Robert Appel investigated the accident and determined th driver was at fault due to inattention.
There were no summons issued at the time of the incident. Ajaco Towing towed the vehicle from the scene.
At the time of the incident, Route 46 was closed in both directions, causing traffic jams for a number of hours. In addition, some of the traffic was diverted into the Arlington Shopping Center, causing traffic jams for the shoppers.
Steven Lieberman Is Recognized as Investment Leader
PARSIPPANY — One of the largest independent financial planning and wealth management firms in the greater New York City area, Summit Financial Resources, Inc., announced that Steven W. Lieberman, MBA, CFP® was named the firm’s 2014 Investment Leader. For over a dozen consecutive years, he has consistently held this recognition as Summit’s top-ranking investment management practice. Summit Financial is located at 4 Campus Drive.
The award recognizes Mr. Lieberman as leader of Summit Financial Resources, Inc.’s most productive investment management practice.
As a financial advisor for nearly 25 years, Mr. Lieberman specializes in providing clients with a range of sophisticated wealth management services, including comprehensive financial planning, investment management, risk management, estate planning and retirement planning.
Mr. Lieberman graduated from the Wharton School of Business with his Bachelor’s Degree (BS) in Economics and his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance. Mr. Lieberman has been an active Board Member and/or Investment Committee member of numerous charitable organizations, clubs and societies.
Steve is a member of the UJA Ben Gurion and Lester Societies, and is a National Cabinet alum. He has been a member of the Essex County Estate Planning Council, NALU and Financial Planning Association (FPA), as well as the Wharton Club of New Jersey and the Penn Clubs of Metro New Jersey and New York. He is a founder of Simcha Chai and an active patron of Weizmann Institute of Science, Stand with Us, AIPAC, Chai Lifeline and Juvenile Diabetes.
Steve currently resides in Short Hills with his wife, identical twin daughters and son.
Summit Financial Resources was established in 1982 and headquartered in Parsippany, Summit Financial Resources, Inc., and Summit Equities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC are privately owned financial planning and wealth management firms with over 200 professionals and support personnel and advise clients on over $3 billion in assets. The firm’s multi-disciplined approach to financial planning (combining expertise in estate planning, business planning, investment planning, retirement planning, fringe benefits and insurance) is designed to give clients a coordinated and comprehensive set of solutions to the financial problems faced by successful individuals today. For more information, visit www.summitfinancial.com.
Man accused in triple-fatal crash on Route 80 had 19 past traffic violations
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The 22-year-old Mountain Lakes man accused of causing a chain-reaction crash that killed three people on Route 80 in Rockaway Township early Saturday morning had committed 19 traffic violations from 2012 through 2014, according to state Motor Vehicle Commission records. The MVC provided NJ Advance Media a list of the violations by Bhavuk…
Unknown driver swerved into lane causing driver to hit tree
PARSIPPANY — Ms. Sudha Shah, 24, Parsippany, was traveling north on Parsippany Road, (in the area of 300’s) when a vehicle traveling south on Parsippany Road, swerved into her lane causing her to swerve to the right and crash into a tree. The passenger side of the vehicle, occupied by Mr. Subhash Shah had airbag deployment.
Ms. Shah was unable to give a description of the other vehicle due to the extreme glare from the sun.
Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance responded to the scene as a safety precaution for a one-year old, but no injuries were reported.
Hiawatha Towing arrived at the scene and removed the vehicle.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman Ernest Ebanks investigated the accident and no summons were issued.
Another Par-Troy East Little League softball team is headed to the State Tournament
POMPTON LAKES – The Par-Troy East Little League softball team is headed to the state tournament. Down 5-3 headed to the bottom of the sixth inning, Par-Troy East rallied for three runs to defeat Pequannock 6-5 and win the Section 1 title. “Today we struggled, but we didn’t give up — these kids won’t give up,” Par-Troy East manager Robert Devens said.
“They work too hard in practice, they work too hard in the games, and they don’t give up. To be down, it’s the first time we’ve been down all year, so to battle back was really good.” Second baseman Jenna Devens led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to center field, and with one out, right fielder Lil Vidal reached on an error. First baseman Talie Braga then hit a two-run double to center to tie the game 5-5. “It felt good because I made an error and it was pretty big, so they tied the game, and it felt good to redeem myself,” Braga said. Left fielder Rachel Volarich then hit a grounder that the shortstop couldn’t handle, which scored Braga to give Par-Troy East the come-from-behind win. “I just knew I had to get a hit to drive in Talie. I felt relieved and happy,” Volarich said.
Par-Troy East took a 1-0 lead after the second inning, but Pequannock scored twice in the top of the third. Right fielder Emma Harlow led off with a single to left, and third baseman Brielle Zaccone followed with a single to right. With two outs, first baseman Alexa Shalongo hit a two-run single to right to put Pequannock ahead 2-1. In the bottom of the third, Par-Troy East retook the lead. With one out, pitcher Tori Freire reached on an error, and with two outs, Braga singled to right, which scored Freire to tie the game 2-2.
Catcher Gabby Gennarelli reached on an error, which sent Braga to third, and she scored on a passed ball to give Par-Troy East the 3-2 lead. ”I think it shows that we have a lot of depth on our team,” Braga said of Par-Troy East’s ability to rally. “Everyone hits, everyone gets on base, we’re all even.”
Pequannock scored three runs in the top of the sixth. With one out, Shalongo and shortstop Emily Dietch hit back-to-back singles, and Isabella Arrigo reached base on an infield single. Center fielder Gianna Celletti grounded into a fielder’s choice as Par-Troy East couldn’t get Shalongo at home. With two outs, Harlow laced a single to center, which scored Dietch and Celletti to put Pequannock ahead 5-3. For Par-Troy East, Freire started the game and allowed five runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out eight in 52/3 innings.
Devens came on and got the final out, a strikeout, in the top of the sixth. Brielle Toone pitched a complete game for Pequannock and allowed six runs on eight hits, walked three and struck out six. “These girls deserve it. They’re a great bunch of girls and they work hard at what they do,” Robert Devens said. “Sometimes they get down on themselves, and you have to pick them up a little bit, and they jump right back in there.”
Editors Note: This was published in the Daily Record on Monday July 15 2015
The state tournament begins Thursday, July 16 and will be hosted by the Clifton Little League.
Letter to the editor: Regional Planning is only hope for Future
Dear Editor:
In many if not post large development proposals the first thought is tax rateable; or what amounts to the Planning Board being over-zealous toward outside the community large property owners, favoring private economic considerations over public environmental values, not considering future costs and cumulative impacts over time inflicted on the community. Possibilities like having EXISTING COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSTRAINED SUBZONEs are diminished.
It is ironic that COAH or affordable housing cannot be built on environmentally sensitive lands; however private corporate development, “speculation development” can do so with NJDEP waivers and if a township allows this.
Parsippany has no Natural resource Inventory, which would allow these areas to be venerable especially if they are privately owners.
Parsippany officials would like us to believe there are limited choices like during the Waterview episode the town officials many voting against their own communities best interest under the assumption only two choices existed, public housing project or a whole Foods and additional retail space despite there being no need and it would forever change the character of the existing neighborhood. No argument was made for zoning the land as a “community environmentally constrained subzone”. A questionable and not worth having tax rateable was the goal and objective of the administration.
Councilman dePierro an advocate of the ‘home-rule” even sided against the community, which seems to contradict his sacred home rule; from a 2013 article concerning RMP and Parsippany’s conformance. “Mr. dePierro explained that the Township would give up control of development and hand it over to the Highlands Commission if they accept full Highlands Conformance and have not pursued it for that reason. He also was misinforming others by stating “In the original open space calculations COAH (not the Highlands) included wetlands, gold courses and cemeteries” said dePierro ‘does it still include those areas? He cannot seem to separate the benefits of the Highlands regional Planning from COAH.
dePierro back in June of 2010 was also quoted in a new article saying; “I have no desire to join the Highlands RMP.” The Councilman must be asked then to explain; what is the advantage from being sued by developers when they don’t have their way; or does he consider all development suitable for Parsippany according to the developers remedy or retaliation? Another claim made by officials was that they were saving the tax payers money from lawsuits inflicted by outside the community property barons that want their best interest, not Parsippanys in mind. dePierro has not advocated for a natural Resource inventory or even considered Parsippany is already heavily developed and may still have lands unsuitable or inappropriate for more developments.
It is obviously Parsippany opted in to conformance in 2009 because of the possible lessening of the housing obligation and no other reason. Ignoring all other benefits of regional planning including legal shields from developers lawsuits, they later opted out of the plan; not being able to separate housing obligations from regional planning, oranges and apples shall we say. In conclusion if Parsippany had completed a natural resource inventory of its landscapes, small remaining forest, over 2,000 acres of ground water recharge areas, steep slopes, well head protection areas and other discretionary landscapes likewaterview they may very well have protected themselves from such housing threats, by identifying and recognizing remaining landscapes of an environmentally sensitive character there-by off-limits to public housing. As our water deficits only get worse and our landscapes become more unnecessarily developed we can thank our lack of concern for the natural world for tax rateable not worth having. Regional Planning in truth would bring more transparency, public trust and public participation, learning and understanding. Home Rule is developers rule. Regional Planning is in the best interest of Parsippany keeping our property worth the taxes we do pay.
Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha
Briley needs a home; Can you help?
Briley is beautiful!! He is about 4 months old and he is tall and lanky. He has a shinny black coat with a strip of white on his chest and on tips of some of his paws. Just stunning!
Briely was in a high kill shelter in North Carolina. After FHDR found out about Briley and how sweet he was, they brought him to New Jersey to live in a nice foster home.
This is what Briley’s foster mom has to say about him….”Briley is a happy go luck pup! He is friendly with everyone…he gets along with my dogs, he is wonderful with my young son & he is even ok with our cats. Briley is a silly, happy, fun pup. He enjoys being outside and playing with toys, his favroite toys are chew toys. He is real snuggler and likes to sleep right next to his foster mom. He sleeps through the night without having accidents and he is almost completely house trainied. Briley is very easy going and what ever you do, he is willing to follow.”
We are sure when you meet Briley he will make you smile!
If you have a furever home for this pet, please e-mail FHDR@att.net and request an adoption application.
To see more photos and a video of this pup and to see our other adoptable pups, please go to www.fhdr.petfinder.com.
“As Seen On TV” Company will pay $550,000 to settle Consumer Affairs Lawsuit
FAIRFIELD — Telebrands Corp., the Fairfield based company known for its “As Seen on TV” products, has agreed to revise its Interactive Voice Response (IVR) merchandise ordering system and other business practices, and to pay $550,000 to the State, under terms of the Final Consent Judgment and Settlement Agreement that resolves the 2014 lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney General and State Division of Consumer Affairs.
The State alleged in its August 2014 Complaint, filed in State Superior Court in Essex County, that Telebrands violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and Advertising Regulations by, among other things, aggressively upselling products through its IVR phone system and websites; subjecting consumers to a lengthy ordering process; failing to provide a means for consumers to decline offers for additional products; failing to provide consumers with an opportunity to confirm the merchandise order prior to authorizing charges; shipping and billing for additional products that consumers declined to purchase; failing to provide consumers with the total cost of their orders; and failing to provide consumers with an opportunity to speak with a live customer service representative when ordering through the IVR system. The State’s allegations, in part, were established through the undercover purchases made by Division investigators of Telebrands’ products (e.g. “Instabulbs,” the “Olde Brooklyn Lantern” and the “Pocket Hose). The Complaint also alleged that Telebrands, by its conduct, violated the terms of a 2001 Final Consent Judgment and Order that resolved prior litigation with the State.
Under the terms of the settlement, Telebrands, at its expense, is required to retain a Consumer Affairs Liaison for up to a two-year period, with the person subject to the approval of the Division of Consumer Affairs. The Consumer Affairs Liaison, among other things, will monitor Telebrands’ compliance with the settlement terms and applicable laws, facilitate resolution of consumer complaints and provide quarterly reports to the Division.
“We’ve put consumers back in control of the ordering and payment process, through these revisions to Telebrands’ business practices. No longer will consumers find themselves subjected to an onslaught of solicitations for products that they have no interest in, with no way to end the merciless upselling,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.
Under the terms of the Final Consent Judgment and Settlement Agreement, Telebrands will revise its IVR system and product-devoted websites, to:
- inform consumers of the cost of their merchandise order, including any shipping and handling charges, prior to consumers authorizing payment;
- provide consumers with an option to speak with a live customer service representative when a merchandise order is placed (e.g., press “0” to speak with live Customer Service Representative);
- not repeat an offer to purchase additional merchandise, once a consumer has declined to purchase such additional merchandise;
- provide a means for consumers to decline solicitations for additional merchandise through the IVR system (e.g., press “1” to accept the offer and press “2” to decline the offer);
- only charge and/or ship to consumers the merchandise for which consumers authorized payment;
- clearly and conspicuously disclose to consumers the point at which they are completing a merchandise order and authorizing payment for that order;
- provide consumers with a means to edit their primary order on the Telebrands’ product-devoted websites before confirming their purchase and authorizing payment for that order;
- provide consumers with a means to edit any order, in addition to the primary order, on the Telebrands’ product-devoted websites prior to the consumer’s confirmation of his/her purchase and authorization of payment for that order;
- not process any merchandise order (e.g., primary order, additional order) prior to the consumer’s confirmation of his/her purchase and authorization of payment for that order;
- clearly and conspicuously display a link or other means through which consumers may opt-out from additional merchandise solicitations through the Telebrands’ product-devoted websites;
- clearly and conspicuously display a link or other means through which consumers may decline such additional merchandise solicitations, in the event a consumer chooses to view additional merchandise solicitations on the Telebrands’ product-devoted websites;
- ensure that on the Telebrands’ product-devoted websites, consumers must affirmatively select any items to be added to their merchandise order before Telebrands actually adds such items to their order;
- ensure all prices and costs associated with a consumer’s merchandise order shall be reflected on a page (e.g., confirmation page) of the Telebrands’ product-devoted websites prior to the consumer’s confirmation of the merchandise order;
- clearly and conspicuously disclose its purchasing, return, refund and cancellation policies; and
- clearly and conspicuously disclose the differences between versions of merchandise, including any “deluxe,” “basic” and/or “standard” versions.
“As a result of this settlement, we expect consumers will be protected through Telebrands’ strict adherence to our consumer protection laws and regulations,” said Steve Lee, Acting Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs. “The employment of a Consumer Affairs Liaison is a rare, but necessary safeguard to protect consumers, in light of our past history with Telebrands.”
Pursuant to the settlement, Telebrands is also required to develop and implement training materials for its customer service representatives which shall include, at a minimum, the required and prohibited business practices outlined within the Final Consent Judgment and Settlement Agreement. Telebrands shall provide such training within 30 days and shall have a continuing obligation to provide such training to new customer service representatives.
Investigator Elizabeth Perry in the Division of Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection conducted the investigation of this matter.
Deputy Attorney General Natalie Serock in the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section in the Division of Law represented the State in this action.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or (973) 504-6200.
To view Final Consent Judgment & Settlement Agreement click here.
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