Get out and vote! Polls open until 8:00 p.m.

Frank L. Cahill
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Get out and vote! Polls open until 8:00 p.m.

PARSIPPANY — Polling locations open at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning and will remain open until 8:00 p.m. In Parsippany you can vote for Governor, State Senate, General Assembly (2), Freeholder, Mayor, Township Council (2), Board of Education (3). Also State Question 1: New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act and State Question 2: Constitutional Amendment Dedicating Moneys From State Environmental Contamination Cases. If you don’t know where to vote, click here.

Governor

  • Kim Guadagno (Republican)
  • Phil Murphy (Democrat)

26th District State Senate  (vote for one)

  • Joe Pennacchio (Republican)
  • Elliot Isibor (Democrat)

General Assembly 26th District (vote for two)

  • BettyLou DeCroce (Republican)
  • Jay Webber (Republican)
  • E. William Edge (Democrat)
  • Joseph R. Raich (Democrat)

Freeholders (vote for one)

  • Heather Darling (Republican)
  • Rozella G. Clyde (Democrat)

Mayor

  • James R. Barberio (Republican)
  • Michael Soriano (Democrat)

Township Council (vote for two)

  • Louis A. Valori (Republican)
  • Vincent Ferrara (Republican)
  • Janice McCarthy (Democrat)
  • Emily Peterson (Democrat)

School Board (vote for three)

  • Matthew Devitto
  • Timothy P. Berrios
  • George L. Blair
  • Andrew Choffo

Click here to download a sample ballot.

Parsippany Focus will have complete coverage of the unofficial election results starting on Tuesday evening.

Council to pass Emergency Appropriation of $401,943.27 for retired employees

Frank L. Cahill
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Council to pass Emergency Appropriation of $401,943.27 for retired employees

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted to approve on first reading Ordinance 2017:25 authorizing a special Emergency Appropriation of $401,943.27 for the purpose of paying contractually required severance liabilities resulting from the retirement of employees.

The Ordinance will have a second reading on Tuesday, November 14.

The employees covered under this emergency appropriations include:

Employee Name Department Amount* Retirement Date Title
Henry Radler Parks & Forestry $20,000.00 April 1, 2016 Supervisor Trees
Bernard Hattersley Police $80,000.00 March 1, 2016 Police Sergeant
Eugene Natoli Police $79.925.00 October 1, 2015 Police Sergeant
Joseph Chmura Police $95,587.79 May 1, 2017 Police Officer
Kevin Duffy Police $35,000.00 September 12, 2004 Police Sergeant
Sean Clark Police $57,003.33 November 1, 2014 Police Captain
Richard Herbst Police Civilians $34,427.25 June 1, 2016 Mechanic
Total $401,943.37

Upon retirement from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department in October 2015 Eugene Natoli accumulated $221,295.00 in unused sick and vacation time. Natoli was rehired by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills on December 19, 2016 at an annual salary of $50,000.00.

Former Police Captain Sean Clark accumulated $253,173 by his November 1, 2014 retirement.

Former Police Sergeant Kevin Duffy retired in September 2004 and had accumulated $192,155.

Former Police Sergeant Bernard Hattersley accumulated $272,052 by his March 1, 2016 retirement.

Richard Herbst, a mechanic in the police department, accumulated $68,854 in unused time by his March 1, 2016 retirement.

Data on Henry Radler and Joseph Chmura was not available at this time.

Parsippany has grappled with payouts to retired police officers for years, more so than with other ex-employees covered by less generous policies.

Prior to 1999, when Parsippany capped police sick day payouts at 200 and also limited vacation day rollovers, the township had no restrictions on how many days officers could accumulate and the change did not apply retroactively.

*Note: Amounts listed are the amounts to be paid in 2017 and do not include any previous amounts paid or any amounts that will be paid in future years (if any).

Synergy Chiropractic donates to Homeless Solutions

Frank L. Cahill
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Synergy Chiropractic donates to Homeless Solutions

MORRIS COUNTY — Dr. Patrick Selimo and Synergy Chiropractic was accepting donations for Homeless Solutions of Morristown until October 31. Shown above Dr. Selimo delivered the donations to Tamala Reynold at Homeless Solutions.

Homeless Solutions provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing to families and individuals. Each year the facility provides homes for 450 people, over 1/3 whom are children. In an effort to help support these families, Synergy Chiropractic is taking up a collection of the following goods which will then be distributed to the Homeless Solutions Facility.

Synergy Chiropractic is a chiropractic office located in the Town of Boonton that focuses on Structural Correction.  Their purpose is to provide a complete solution to resolving problems related to Structural Shifts in the spine, therefore allowing your body to work at its highest capacity.

For more information on Synergy Chiropractic visit their website by clicking here, or call for an appointment at (973) 917-8451. Their office is located at 115 Madison Street, Suite 1.

 

 

 

Parsippany RACES team volunteers at New York Marathon

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany RACES team volunteers at New York Marathon

PARSIPPANY — Several members of the Parsippany RACES team alongside other first responders at the 2017 TCS NYC Marathon stationed on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, mile marker 15. The Parsippany team assisted with emergency communications for security and medical and monitoring the post for suspicious activity. The New York Marathon is largest marathon in the world and was a huge success and very safe.

The volunteers included Nick Limanov, Mark Abudato, RACES officer Michael Hartmann and Alan Machbitz. RACES is part of Parsippany’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

Runners coming across the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge

The 2017 TCS New York City Marathon was broadcasted on ABC7, ESPN2 and was available globally in more than 616 million households across over 175 different countries and territories.

The broadcast, which has been produced by IMG since 1994, consisted of 33 cameras covering the 26.2-mile course, including a camera attached to the chair of professional wheelchair athletes and U.S. Paralympian Amanda McGrory and Brian Siemann. The production staff of 300 included 17 commentators, reporters, and analysts, with ESPN’s Sage Steele serving as the race-day host for the second consecutive year. Steele currently serves as ESPN’s lead host for SportsCenter on the Road and as the weekday anchor for SportsCenter:AM.

The first New York City Marathon, organized in 1970 by Fred Lebow and Vince Chiappetta, was held entirely in Central Park. Of 127 entrants, only 55 men finished; the sole female entrant dropped out due to illness. Winners were given inexpensive wristwatches and recycled baseball and bowling trophies. The entry fee was $1 and the total event budget was $1,000.

The 2016 TCS New York City Marathon on November 6, 2016, had a record number of finishers, 51,388, setting a new mark as the the largest marathon on the world. Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea became the youngest male winner in race history; Mary Keitany of Kenya won the women’s race for the third consecutive time. Wheelchair champions were Marcel Hug of Switzerland and Tatyana McFadden of the United States (winning the marathon grand slam for the fourth time). The 2017 TCS New York City Marathon took place Sunday, November 5.

Will Dieppa scored the most goals for any freshman

Frank L. Cahill
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Will Dieppa scored the most goals for any freshman
Will Dieppa

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Christian boys’ varsity soccer freshman forward Will Dieppa tallied 18 goals this season in 17 games, ranking first among all varsity freshmen in the State of New Jersey. 

Dieppa finished with 43 total points in garnering seven assist to go along with his 18 goals. 

Dieppa also had two hat tricks this season with the first one coming against Bergen County Christian Academy on September 26, where he had eight total game points, and then on October 23 against Madison Avenue Baptist Academy. 

Will Dieppa is a freshman on the Parsippany Christian boys varsity soccer team.

Parsippany Christian is located at 1179 Littleton Road.

Letter to the editor: Our mayor has used attack ads in every one of his campaigns

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

I dislike political attack ads with a passion.  I find them demeaning and often filled with lies. As citizens, we deserve much better from our candidates.

Our mayor has used attack ads in every one of his campaigns. They have ranged from silly to vicious. Recently, a group called “Stronger Foundations, Inc.,” a super PAC, circulated an ad that focused on Michael Soriano’s supposed inexperience.  Perhaps our mayor has forgotten his own inexperience of eight years ago.
An attack ad speaks badly of its originator. It tells you just how low that person is willing to stoop in their desperation to get elected. This is not the kind of person that belongs in an elected office. 

When I receive an attack ad, I most often automatically vote for a different candidate. 

If this wasn’t such serious business, it would be funny: the attack ad reads, in part, “Michael Soriano’s inexperience COULD have cost taxpayers for political gain.” So, the ad’s basis is literally what Michael Soriano MIGHT have done if he were mayor. This effort to invent an issue is absurd, childish and insulting to voters.

It’s important to note that the lawsuit in question was filed with respect to actions taken by the administration. Ironically, this lawsuit would not exist if Soriano were in charge. This appears to be a lame attempt to take what appears as wrongdoing and actually benefit from it. 

The ad also used what I think of as “obvious deviousness.” It had a disclaimer at the bottom saying that no entity influenced the foundation’s creation of the ad. If the Barberio team didn’t want or support this ad, they would have taken actions to distance themselves from it. But they did not.

Worse, the Stronger Foundation is a rather mysterious, shadowy organization, one that has spent a great deal of money in New Jersey in an attempt to influence political races.  Several authors have written about them [1], [2] and [3].  This foundation appears to fund Republicans who are for larger government, requiring higher taxes.  It’s clear that this organization has an agenda and that they are very well funded…but by whom?

 Jack Puglis

Letters to the Editor: Do you have an opinion to express? Send letters to news@parsippanyfocus.com. Disclaimer: To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must include the writer’s full name, address and daytime phone number. Letters may be condensed, although care is taken to preserve the writer’s comments (maximum 200 words). Copyright in material submitted to Parsippany Focus and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Parsippany Focus may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. We are unable to acknowledge receipt of letters.

 

Cory Booker and Phil Murphy rally in Parsippany for Team Soriano

Frank L. Cahill
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Cory Booker and Phil Murphy rally in Parsippany for Team Soriano

PARSIPPANY — The crowd was so large for the “Get-out-the-vote rally” for Democratic Candidate Michael Soriano, and his two running mates Emily Peterson and Janice McCarthy, at the Murphy Campaign Headquarters on Gibraltar Drive, that it had to be moved outside in the fifty degree weather.  As the time approached the arrival of Cory Booker and Phil Murphy the crowd kept getting larger and larger. It was estimated over 300 Morris County Democrats, Independents and Republicans came out to support Parsippany Mayoral Candidate Michael Soriano and New Jersey Governor Candidate Phil Murphy.

Unite States Senator Cory Booker and New Jersey Governor Candidate Phil Murphy arrived and was greeted by the hundred or so supporters waiting to hear what the duo had to say.

Morris County Democrat Chairman Chip Robinson opened the rally and introduced Senator Richard Codey. Before introducing Soriano, Codey talked about walking through Parsippany campaigning, and stopping to shoot some basketball hoops.

Soriano, introduced by Sen. Richard Codey, repeated his campaign vow to “clean up Parsippany” and said “There are some who think we are in very dark times right now, and I can understand that. But I don’t think we are going to get through these dark times thinking in dark ways and acting in dark ways.” He praised the great job the township employees are doing, and expressed by Cleaning Up Parsippany he means clean up the government. On my first day, John Inglesino will be the first to go.

He continued “Keep in mind that in this crowd, I have supporters that are Republican and unaffiliated voters. And I appreciate what you’ve done, and your support here in Parsippany.”

Daily Record endorsed Michael Soriano. The Daily Record said “But in many ways this election isn’t as much about Barberio as it is about Township Attorney John Inglesino, Barberio’s influential and controversial right-hand man. Critics, including Soriano, say Inglesino serves as the de facto mayor who owes his outsized influence to a chummy relationship with Gov. Chris Christie. Inglesino does indeed dominate public discussions at council meetings in ways rarely seen from a municipal lawyer, all while raking in hefty fees Soriano says go far beyond reasonable legal expenses. Soriano doesn’t pull his punches, promising that his Day One act as mayor would be to dump Inglesino. An electrician by trade, Soriano has been involved with the local Democratic party but never before ran for public office. He said he targeted the mayor’s seat primarily it would give him authority to replace Inglesino.”

Soriano introduced US Senator Corey Booker to the crowd.

Booker said “People keep coming up to me and saying, ‘You’re running for mayor of Parsippany?’ No, I’m not.”

“To have him literally say this is not a partisan rally, that this is a rally for this great town that I look to represent, that’s what we should be looking for in our elected officials,” Booker said.

Booker introduced Phil Murphy as “My friend, the honorable, the great, the next Governor of the State of New Jersey, Phil Murphy.”

Phil Murphy opened his speech with “Holy Mackerel we have three days to go. Three days to go. We are Brendan, Tammy and I have 538 days into this, with three to go, not that we are counting.” He continued by saying “Equal pay for equal work.”

Murphy introduced Soriano’s running council running mates, Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson, and shouted out several Morris County towns where he hopes to see Democratic win on election day.

Murphy urged the crowd to keep campaigning over the next three days.

Ending his speech he said “Morris County, we are going to rock this on Tuesday. God Bless all.”

The Bergen Record endorsed Phil Murphy. The Bergen Record said “We see Murphy as more authentic. We believe he is better capable of forging alliances not only with Democrats, but with Republicans in the Legislature. And given the climate in Washington, D.C., he is more likely to push back against federal policies and congressional actions that will negatively impact New Jersey.”

 

Football playoffs start this Friday for the Vikings

Frank L. Cahill
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Football playoffs start this Friday for the Vikings

PARSIPPANY —  Parsippany Hills Vikings Senior Nick Verducci’s dream of returning to MetLife Stadium for the third time in four years starts this Friday Night as the Vikings play against Cranford Cougars, the No. 7 seed in North 2 Group III.

The game will be played at Parsippany Hills and starts at 7:00 p.m. Parsippany Hills High School is located at 20 Rita Drive, Morris Plains.

The winning team will play against the winning team between Vorhees and Nutley.

Parsippany Hills Vikings

2017 Record
Overall 8-1
Conference Division 5-1

 

Parsippany Hills Vikings 2017 Season

Date Opponent Location Result Score
09-08 at West Morris Wolf Pack West Morris HS W 31 – 27
09-15 Chatham Cougars Parsippany Hills HS W 41 – 12
09-22 @ Roxbury Gaels Roxbury HS W 28 – 14
09-28 @ Barringer Blue Bears Newark Schools Stadium W 43 – 20
10-06 Jefferson Falcons Parsippany Hills HS W 35 – 7
10-13 West Essex Knights Parsippany Hills HS L 24 – 21
10-21 @ Orange Tornados Bell Stadium W 34 – 28
10-28 Nutley Maroon Raiders Parsippany Hills HS W 42 – 14
11-02 @ Ferris Bulldogs Caven Point W 42 – 7


Cranford Cougars

2017 Record
Overall 6-3
Conference Division 3-2

 

Cranford Cougars 2017 Season

Date Opponent Location/Directions Result Score
09-08 @ Somerville Somerville HS L 36 – 16
09-15 @ Voorhees Voorhees HS L 35 – 0
09-22 Rahway Memorial Field W 24 – 14
09-28 @ North Plainfield North Plainfield HS W 28 – 6
10-07 @ Scotch Plains Scotch Plains HS W 43 – 42 (OT)
10-13 Summit Memorial Field L 31 – 13
10-20 @ Gov. Livingston Governor Livingston HS W 38 – 0
10-27 Hillside Memorial Field W 34 – 21
11-03 Delaware Valley Memorial Field W 28 – 18

 

North 2 Group III includes No. 1 – West Essex; No. 2 – Parsippany Hills; No. 3 – Voorhees; No. 4 – Summit; No. 5 – Rahway; No. 6 – Nutley; No. 7 – Cranford and No. 8 – Ridgefield Park.

North 2 Group III 2017 Season Results

Team Win Loss Tie Power Points*
West Essex Knights 7 1 0 140.0
Parsippany Hills Vikings 7 1 0 136.0
Voorhees Vikings 7 1 0 119.0
Summit Hilltoppers 6 2 0 107.0
Rahway Indians 5 3 0 95.0
Nutley Raiders 4 4 0 93.0
Cranford Cougars 5 3 0 90.0
Ridgefield Park Scarlets 4 4 0 87.0
Newark West Side Roughriders 5 3 0 81.0
Snyder Tigers 4 4 0 59.0
Cliffside Park Red Raiders 3 5 0 56.0
Chatham Cougars 1 7 0 46.0
Governor Livingston Highlanders 1 7 0 40.0
North Plainfield Canucks 0 8 0 34.0
Palisades Park Tigers 0 8 0 31.0

Please note: as per the NJSIAA’s official power points formula, “The power ranking system will be the sum total of the best seven of their eight completed games played up to and including the cut-off date.”

Letters to the editor: Barberio’s back room deals

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor, 

Jamie Barberio’s election funding report shows that in 2017 Jamie Barberio accepted a whopping $104,000 from Parsippany Developers and Building Trades.  Not only that, throughout his eight years in office he received nearly $800,000 from these same donors.

In a Parsippany Focus story it was revealed that the taxpayers of Parsippany paid $3.5 million for a total of 10.63 acres of land, while the developer RD Realty, retained the remainder of the property or 16.01 acres for $4.0 million. So Parsippany paid approximately $320,910 per acre for the buffer zone, while RD Realty paid $250,000 per acre for the prime portion of the property, facing Route 46 and Waterview Boulevard. (Editors Note: Click here for complete story)

It doesn’t take eight years of government experience to know that this is bad math.  It looks like developers support Barberio so he can stay in office and he “helps” them acquire property far below its value – at the taxpayers expense. 

In addition to the Waterview development, projects like Forge Pond, Smith Glaxo Kline and 700 Mountain Way, have moved forward under the Barberio administration, making it obvious that the mayor never met a development deal he didn’t like all while claiming to be pro Open Space. 

Once again Barberio is talking out of both sides of his mouth telling anyone and everyone what they want to hear in public, all the while giving away Parsippany piece by piece in “off the record” back room deals!

If you want to keep to stop your tax dollars from disappearing down the development donation hole and if you want to keep Parsippany from becoming a concrete jungle, it’s time to end Barberio’s development dynasty.

Pat Simon
Parsippany

Letters to the Editor: Do you have an opinion to express? Send letters to news@parsippanyfocus.com. Disclaimer: To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must include the writer’s full name, address and daytime phone number. Letters may be condensed, although care is taken to preserve the writer’s comments (maximum 200 words). Copyright in material submitted to Parsippany Focus and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Parsippany Focus may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. We are unable to acknowledge receipt of letters.

Teens Exploring Careers in Theater and Performing Arts

Frank L. Cahill
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Teens Exploring Careers in Theater and Performing Arts

PARSIPPANY — Young men and women, ages 14-20, who want to explore careers in theater and performing arts are invited to an open house for our new Explorer Post, chartered to Soul Search Records. Open house is Sunday, November 5, at 5:00 p.m., at Patriots’ Path Council, 1 Saddle Road in Cedar Knolls.

Exploring is the career education program of Learning for Life.

For more information, please call (973) 876-1225 or email carol.dadaian@scouting.org.

Railroad-crossing repairs begin next week on Eden Lane in Hanover

Frank L. Cahill
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Railroad-crossing repairs begin next week on Eden Lane in Hanover

HANOVER— New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced a railroad crossing rehabilitation project that will require the closure and detour of Eden Lane in Hanover, Morris County.

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. Monday, November 6, until 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 10, the two-way traffic on Eden Lane is scheduled to be closed at the railroad crossing intersection between Boulevard Road and South Jefferson Road. The existing railroad crossing will be removed and replaced with a new concrete crossing and asphalt approach. The following detours will remain in place:

Eden Lane eastbound Detour:

  • Motorists traveling eastbound to Eden Lane will be directed south on Ridgedale Avenue
    Turn left onto Cedar Knolls Road
    Turn left onto South Jefferson Road
    Continue to Eden Lane

Eden Lane westbound Detour:

  • Motorists traveling westbound to Eden Lane will be directed south on South Jefferson Road
    Turn right onto Cedar Knolls Road
    Turn right onto Ridgedale Avenue
    Continue to Eden Lane

The detour will be coordinated with the local police.

In order to provide safer and smoother railroad crossings in Hanover, the existing crossings will be replaced with new concrete crossings and new asphalt approaches. This federally-funded project is included within NJDOT’s railroad grade-crossing safety program, which repairs, upgrades, or removes approximately 30 crossings each year, statewide.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.

Guest Readers at the Parsippany Library

Frank L. Cahill
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Guest Readers at the Parsippany Library

PARSIPPANY — Celebrate Picture Book Month at the library with local educators! Children ages 4 to 8 are invited to listen to stories read by guest readers. Principal Hershkowitz from Eastlake School and Nicole Bakirtzis will have wonderful books to share with students.

This event will be held on Monday, November 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., located at Parsippany Public Library, 449 Halsey Road. For more information call (973) 887-5150 ext. 233.

Lake Parsippany Vol. Fire Co., Dist #3 Ladies Aux. Pancake Breakfast

Frank L. Cahill
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Lake Parsippany Vol. Fire Co., Dist #3 Ladies Aux. Pancake Breakfast

PARSIPPANY — Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Company, District #3 Ladies Auxiliary will host the 15th Annual Pancake Breakfast.

The breakfast will be held at the Lake Parsippany Firehouse, 255 Halsey Road, on Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adults: $6.00, Seniors and Children under 5: $4.00, Children under two years old are free.

Redhawks loses to Montville, 35-0

Frank L. Cahill
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Redhawks loses to Montville, 35-0

PARSIPPANY — On Friday, November 3, Parsippany High School featured Senior night for Marching Band, Cheerleaders and Football at the football game last night.

The Redhawks lost Friday’s home non-conference game against Montville by a score of 35-0.

Mike Burke of Montville scored three touchdowns, two on the ground and another through the air.

Team 1 2 3 4 Final
Montville
 6 22 7 0 35
Parsippany
 0 0 0 0 0
  • 1st: Montville: Grant Shine 7 run (pass failed)
  • 2nd: Montville: Deen Ninche 13 pass from Mike Burke (Dom Trifari pass from Mike Burke)
  • 2nd: Montville: Mike Burke 6 run (pass failed)
  • 2nd: Montville: Mike Burke 12 run (Anthony Manna pass from Mike Burke)
  • 3rd: Montville: Mike Riola 70 run (Matt Caprio kick)

2017 Record
Overall  0-9
Conference – Division  0-5

Rockaway Township Police Officer Indicted on Charges of Sexual Assault

Frank L. Cahill
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Rockaway Township Police Officer Indicted on Charges of Sexual Assault

ROCKAWAY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Wilfredo Guzman, 40, of Rockaway Township, has been charged with in two separate indictments.  The first indictment charges Mr. Guzman with two counts of Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)4, crimes of the second degree; four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)1 and 2C: 24-4(a)2, crimes of the third degree; and eight counts of Official Misconduct, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2a and N.J.S.A 2C:30-2b, crimes of the second degree.  The second indictment charges Mr. Guzman with two counts of Official Misconduct, in violation of N.J.S.A 2C:30-3a and 2C:30-3b, crimes of the second degree; and Possession of Child Pornography, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b), a crime of the third degree.

The Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child charges relate to alleged conduct between Mr. Guzman and two minor females, one of whom was between the ages of 16-17 years-old, and another who was 15 years-old during the time in question. It is alleged that Mr. Guzman engaged in acts of sexual penetration with the two females on various dates in 2014 and 2015, and that Mr. Guzman provided both females alcohol and prescription medication during the same time frame.

The acts of Official Misconduct relate to actions taken by Mr. Guzman while employed as a police officer with the Rockaway Township Police Department.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, Professional Standards Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, High Tech Crimes Unit, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Section whose continued efforts have contributed to this investigation and prosecution.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint 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.

 

Third Friday Speakers Series features Sara Zyto

Frank L. Cahill
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Third Friday Speakers Series features Sara Zyto
Sarah Zyto

PARSIPPANY — The popular Third Friday Speaker Series continues at Temple Shalom in Succasunna on Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. with Sarah Zyto, who will speak about the global migrant crisis, the refugee resettlement program and the effect of the travel ban in the United States.

Sarah is a refugee Americorps member at Church World Service, an organization that, among many things, helps refugees resettle and rebuild their lives. Focused on this effort, Sarah provides refugee orientation and assistance on health care and housing related matters.                                                              

Sarah is a descendent of members of the Bielski Partisans, a group of Jewish partisans who fought against the Nazi occupiers in German-occupied Poland in World War II. Sarah has always had a passion for human rights. In 2016, she graduated from Ramapo College of NJ with a BA in international studies, with concentrations in anthropology and human rights and genocide studies. In Spring 2016, Sarah studied abroad in Karnataka, India, where she researched the effects of displacement on the Jenu Kuruba tribe.   

Sarah Zyto’s informative and engaging discussion on the refugee crisis and challenges to resettlement is free and open to the public.

Temple Shalom is located at 215 Hillside Avenue, Succasunna.

Celebrating the 52nd year, Temple Beth Am is a Reform congregation with a diverse membership living throughout Morris County, including the towns of Boonton, Denville, Lake Hiawatha, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Parsippany, Randolph and Rockaway. We open our doors to adults and youth, singles and couples, Jews-by-birth and Jews-by-choice, and interfaith couples. Led by Rabbi Estelle Mills and Rabbi/Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak, Temple Beth Am is an inclusive, warm and welcoming place for personal and communal prayer, solace and comfort, joyous celebration, community service, education and sharing as a vibrant Jewish congregation.

CCM Students Gain Real-World Experience Creating Music Videos

Frank L. Cahill
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CCM Students Gain Real-World Experience Creating Music Videos

RANDOLPH — Jon Morales, of Succasunna, knew he wanted to attend County College of Morris (CCM) because of its reputation for providing a high-quality education. What he did not expect was the extent of hands-on training and portfolio-building experience he would receive as a Broadcasting Arts and Technology student.

With the renovation of the college’s Alex DeCroce Media Center in 2015, the facility now features high-definition technology, professional studio cameras and the latest sound and mixing equipment. To provide students with an optimal learning, resume-enhancing experience, Professor Ray Kalas over the last two years has had his TV II students work with Music Recording students and Professors Todd Collins and Dan Palladino to put together videos for current and former CCM music students. The TV and Music Recording students each end up with a video for their portfolios, while the musicians are provided with a promotional piece to market themselves and their music.

“Through this interdepartmental collaboration, students are gaining real-world experience working as teams similar to what they will experience once they leave college,” notes Kalas. “At CCM, they are getting a head start that really can make a difference in their careers.”

Along with serving as president of the college’s Film Club, the video project, says Morales, has made a major difference in advancing his knowledge, skills and ambitions. His hope now is to build a career creating documentaries about mental health issues to help raise awareness.

“Being a student here has given me a lot of faith and confidence,” he says. “As a result, I feel like I am going to be able to do a lot in the future.”

Chris Cuervo, who took the TV II class in 2016, explains that he was able to include the video he created in his portfolio to gain entrance into the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers.

“At CCM, I gained a lot of experience that has made me feel really confident in my classes at Rutgers,” he says.

Paul Machado, the CCM musician Cuervo and his team created a video for, notes that the piece has become one of his best marketing tools.

“I put it up on my YouTube channel,” he says. “I do a lot of weddings and I’m able to tell people to view my video so they can hear my music and learn about me.” That video can be found by clicking here.

To learn more about the Broadcasting Arts and Technology Program at CCM, click here.  To learn about the Music Recording program, click here.

 

14-year old Parsippany boy turns books into “Forever Art”

Frank L. Cahill
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14-year old Parsippany boy turns books into “Forever Art”
Landon Weiss opened an online store on Etsy.com to sell his books

PARSIPPANY — In an age where many are leaning toward digital reading and books that were once loved by many are now being discarded, one 14-year-old from Parsippany is repurposing those books as “forever art” for true book lovers and those who simply like the uniqueness of the craft.

Landon Weiss, an eighth grader at Central Middle School, began to practice the art of book folding in July of 2017.

After creating a few samples, he opened an online store on Etsy.com. Since then, his business has grown allowing him to have a steady flow of online and local orders to fill each week. The experience has taught him to time manage between academics, sports, family, friends and the business. He has learned a great deal about budgeting, costs, and profits, and has had customers from across the country as well as international.

Landon has about 20 samples on his site, but the possibilities of what he can design and make are almost limitless. Some of the most popular purchases are personalized names, Love, Read, and an apple with a heart in the center.

He has sold NY Yankees, NJ Devils, and Boston Red Sox logo books and has costume designed books for very specific orders.

The method involves math, measuring, and above all…patience. You can view samples of his work on Facebook or Etsy.com by searching for BookFoldingFanatic.

He will have a display at the Saint Ann Church craft fair November 17 and November 18 with a selection of premade books and will be taking orders for specialized holiday gift purchases.

The experience has taught Landon to time manage between academics, sports, family, friends and the business
You can see his creations at Saint Ann Church Craft Fair Friday, November 17 and Friday, November 18
Landon Weiss, an 8th grader at Central Middle School, began to practice the art of book folding

Parsippany overpaid RD Realty for the Waterview buffer

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany overpaid RD Realty for the Waterview buffer

PARSIPPANY — Official documents obtained by Parsippany Focus show that RD Realty, LLC., purchased the property on Waterview Boulevard, for a sum of $7.5 million from Bellemead Development Corporation. The property consists of approximately 26.64 acres. (Click here for copy of deed)

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills paid $3.5 million for a total of 10.63 acres of land. RD Realty, LLC, retained the remainder of the property or 16.01 acres for the remainder of $4.0 million. Parsippany paid approximately $320,910 per acre, while RD Realty paid $250,000 per acre for the prime portion of the property, facing Route 46 and Waterview Boulevard. (Click here for Parsippany’s Deed)

Parsippany paid $70,910 per acre more than RD Realty.

If Parsippany and RD Realty equally split the purchase price by the amount of land split, Parsippany should have paid only approximately $3.0 million and RD Realty should have paid $4.5 million.

“The Intervale neighborhood will never be the same. $3.5 million for a buffer zone at taxpayers expense not a good outcome. This is also a misuse of the open space funds. It smells of a kickback to RD developer for all the trouble they went through. Never forget the Council voted No Rezone, and the promise was 26+ acres of open space, not the 10 acre buffer zone, that will benefit the waterview mall more than the immediate neighborhood,” stated Nicolas Homyak.

In 2014 the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills applied to the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund for a grant of $3.5 million to purchase the 10+buffer zone.

In November 2014, Freeholder Director Thomas Mastrangelo wrote, “It is with regret that I must inform you that Parsippany Troy-Hills Township’s Waterview project application has not been selected by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders to receive a grant from the 2014 Open Space Trust Fund.  Our decision was based upon a recommendation submitted by the Open Space Trust Fund Committee, a body formed by the Freeholders to evaluate applications submitted by municipalities and/or charitable conservancies.”

Parsippany Focus reported that the Morris County Open Space Committee voted 12-1 against Parsippany’s Waterview application.

The purchase from Bellemead Development Corporation was finalized on May 11, 2017 according to the deed filed in the Morris County Records.

The purchase included the property on the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Tax Map, Block 421, Lot 29, also known at 10 Waterview Boulevard.

On June 22, a deed was filed and a transfer of ownership was transferred to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills for the Lot 29.04, Block 421, for the amount of $3,500,000.

More trees demolished on the Waterview tract
Stumps remaining where trees once stood high on the Waterview tract

Letter to the editor: Council still refuses to answer questions

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

I would like to share with my Parsippany-Troy Hills neighbors questions that were asked at the Township Council meetings of October 2 and October 17 that went unanswered:

1) Has Mayor Barberio ever been employed by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills? (other than Mayor or councilmen). Sanitation maybe?

2)  Was Mayor Barberio ever terminated or asked to resign from said job by former Mayor Frank Priore?

3)  Was a disability involved? If so, to what extent? I would think that Mayor Barberio or John Inglesino (township attorney) would have responded.

Why haven’t they addressed these questions? Where is the transparency?

I would like to remind Parsippany Troy-Hills taxpayers to get out and vote on November 7. This mayoral election will either make us or break us. Mayor Barberio, Council President Lou Valori and Vincent Ferrara are not, in my opinion, being factual or transparent.  Please consider:

1) Is Mayor Barberio being deceitful in stating that Money Magazine has ranked Parsippany-Troy Hills as #5 for “best place to live”? Parsippany was #5 in 2016 however, it has been ranked #33 for 2017. What a difference one year makes under Mayor Barberio. Anyone remember Waterview?

2) 0% tax increase for 2017 – This is true but the Mayor doesn’t acknowledge that without the water/sewer surplus (3 million this year) he would not have been able to do that. Once again, Mayor Barberio has hit the surplus piggy bank. Think about it, how can we not have any tax increase with all the new hires, raises, promotions etc? Can’t wait for the 2018 budget. Next year Mayor Barberio can and probably will raise taxes above 4%.

3) Mayor Barberio states “keeps municipal taxes low through sound conservative fiscal policy”. Mayor Barberio’s policy is to use surplus dollars from water/sewer every year for the past 8 years. I ask you what happens when we don’t have such a surplus? This is what Mayor Barberio considers sound?

4) Shared Service with Rockaway Township- this recently was brought to the council for approval regarding the use of our court. However, I heard that the Mayor of Rockaway is a retired Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer and is still employed by Parsippany as a violations clerk? Is this true? Do we have a conflict here?

5)  Mayor Barberio says he promotes open space- I have one word for the Mayor- “WATERVIEW”

6)  Council President Lou Valori has done a complete about face. It appears all his campaign promises in the 2013 election no longer exist. After Council President Valori accused Mayor Barberio and Brian Stanton of bribery in 2013 (costing the taxpayers of Parsippany over $10,000.00 in legal fees) I cannot understand how they can run together. Let’s give this some thought? Any skeletons in someone’s closet?

7) Mayor Barberio allows township attorney John Inglesino to state on record “that ordinances aren’t real laws just guidelines”. However, the executive function of Mayor is “enforce the charter and ordinances of the municipality”. If Mayor Barberio is not enforcing ordinances brought to his attention than Mayor Barberio is not acting in the best interest of Parsippany. Does Parsippany need a Mayor who makes up his own rules as he goes along? I think not.

I will end here once again urging all Parsippany residents to get out and vote on November 7. I support the Soriano team. Let’s make a difference.

Thank you
Pat Petaccia

The opinions expressed herein are the writer’s alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Parsippany Focus or anyone who works for Parsippany Focus. Parsippany Focus is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the writer.

 

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