Letter to the editor: Turf fields under investigation

Letters to the Editor
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Letter to the editor: Turf fields under investigation

MailboxsmallDear Editor:

Last Friday, February 12, NBC World News Tonight reported that three federal agencies have agreed to investigate the safety of rubber crumb artificial turfs. Those three agencies are the Environmental Protection Agency, the Center for Disease Control and the Consumer Products Safety Commission and their charge is to determine once and for all if rubber crumb turf fields pose any health threat to young athletes and to take a clear public position on the issue. To their credit the Synthetic Turf Council, which is the industry group advocating for the continued construction of rubber turf fields, announced their support for the federal effort.

While we wait to learn from the scientists, who will be undertaking this investigation, to determine what chemical compounds are contained in the turf fields and if those chemicals are released when an athlete comes into contact with them, we also continue to wait for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education to explain to parents what independent investigation they conducted as to the safety of turf fields prior to spending millions of tax payer dollars to install them at both high schools. The Board’s continued refusal to provide that information suggests that they did not conduct any such investigation and are now hoping that the investigation by the three federal agencies will get them off the hook. Hopefully the Board Of Eduction gets lucky but if it doesn’t then hopefully they will have the courage to admit their mistake, tear up the turf fields and restore the grass fields. After all, it’s all about the kids.

Bob Crawford

Haney is Named 13th President of Centenary College

Frank L. Cahill
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Haney is Named 13th President of Centenary College

centenary collegePARSIPPANY — Dr. Haney will relinquish his position as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory & Henry College, a liberal arts college in Southwest Virginia.  He arrived there four years ago after nine years atAppalachian State University where he was English Department Chair and then Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.  This followed 12 years as a faculty member at Auburn University.  He spent a year in Spearfish, South Dakota, as Provost at Black Hills State University and Regents Fellow with the South Dakota Board of Regents.  He began his administrative career as Dean of Students at the Cambridge School of Weston, an independent secondary boarding and day school in Weston, Massachusetts.

At Emory & Henry College he has led the development of a strategic initiative for project-based liberal education, supported by a $100,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.  Much of his effort as Chief Academic Officer has been dedicated to the expansion of the college through graduate programs in health education, including the development of a school of health sciences on the campus of a former hospital, whose first program, a doctorate in physical therapy, began in fall 2015.  He raised $600,000 to hire a founding Dean and helped secure a $5 million commitment for support of health sciences programs.  He has played a leadership role in the acquisition of an equestrian program, the development of an environmental field station, the establishment of a partnership with the Rensselaerville Institute, the expansion of community engagement initiatives, the growth of the honors program and the expansion of international education.  He has also led an academic program prioritization process and several strategic planning initiatives and he has worked on regional and professional accreditation issues.

He holds an MA and PhD in English from the University at Buffalo and a BA in English from Macalester College, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.  His scholarship has focused on British Romantic poetry and the philosophical connection between interpretation and ethics, with two monographs on Penn State Press’s Literature and Philosophy series, as well as articles on British Romanticism, literature and philosophy and higher education.  Dr. Haney played bluegrass music professionally in the 1980s withJoe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys, and he and his spouse, Lisa Baldwin, occasionally perform together.

“Dr. Haney has the stellar reputation of being an excellent administrator and an effective, collaborative leader,” says Wolfgang Gstattenbauer ’84/13HA, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee Chair.  “He has a strong reputation for openness, collegial decision-making and integrity. He also brings a wealth of knowledge of institutional fundraising and an understanding of the equine business. We are pleased to have Dr. Haney serving at the helm of this institution as we fulfill our future goals over the next decade.”

A Presidential Search Committee was established by Gstattenbauer ’84/13 HA after Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite announced inJune 2015 that she was stepping down after being named President in 2009.  The Board of Trustees retained the services ofThomas B. Courtice and Dr. Jim Davis of AGB Search, Washington, DC, to assist with the search. Dr. Courtice’s ten years and Dr. Davis’s seven years of successful search experience, with particular emphasis on the leadership needs of private liberal arts colleges, helped guide the Committee through the process. Dr. Haney was selected from 70 applicants because of his strong background in higher education.

“I am extremely honored to be chosen as the 13th president of Centenary College,” says Dr. Haney.  “I admire the work that the College has done to remain a thriving, forward-looking institution that prepares students for the challenges of working, living, and contributing to society in the challenging world of the 21st century, and I am excited about continuing that work in partnership with students, staff, faculty, and trustees.  Everyone from Centenary and Hackettstown has been very welcoming during the entire search process, and my wife Lisa and I are eager to become active members of our new community.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in two locations: Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey. 

Storm update: Icy, dangerous roads a threat, so slow down

Letters to the Editor
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Storm update: Icy, dangerous roads a threat, so slow down

Forecasters and transportation officials warned drivers Monday to take it slow and be on the alert for icy patches that could quickly form as snow picks up and then mixes with sleet. “This is a storm that people need to take seriously,” said Steve Schapiro, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. “People need to…

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Cat was found in Lake Hiawatha

Frank L. Cahill
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Cat was found in Lake Hiawatha

cat2PARSIPPANY — This cat was found this morning, Saturday, February 13 at Lincoln Gardens in Lake Hiawatha. No microchip but they can tell had been wearing a collar by the mark in the fur. Cat is safe at the animal shelter. If this is your cat or you recognize it, please contact the Parsippany Animal Shelter at (973) 263-7083.

Please note that if you wish to contact the Parsippany Animal Control and Shelter please contact them via email at shelter@parpolice.com or by phone at (973) 263-7083.
In an emergency, an Animal Control Officer can be reached by calling the Police Department at (973) 263-4300.

Letter to the editor: Teachers Contracts

Letters to the Editor
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Letter to the editor: Teachers Contracts

MailboxsmallDear Editor: 

Last week I received a flyer from the teacher’s union lobbying the public to support its position in the ongoing teacher contract negotiations.

I have no doubt that the statistics listed in the flyer are true. However, I found many of them to be either irrelevant to the negotiations, or selectively presented in such a way as to be misleading. In some cases they also took advantage of the public’s inexperience with the teacher salary scale and the school budget in general.

For example, at first glance I thought that teachers averaged only 0.8% salary increases over the last five years. It took a second reading before I decided that they were only talking about teachers who were at or close to the maximum negotiated salary for a teacher. Every job in the school district is subject to some maximum salary amount, starting right at the top with the superintendent. Why would it be any different for the teachers? The public understands the concept of limited raises or even no raises for employees who are making the maximum allowable salary for a particular job position. Why didn’t the flyer state the average for “all” teachers for the past five years instead of just “senior” teachers. Not doing so was misleading.

Another statistic says that senior administration received an average increase of 3.5% in 2014-2015. Most likely that number represents the highest raise that senior administrators have received in recent years. The fact that the flyer shows the highest rate for administrators rather than an average rate over a period of time, and the flyer never shows an average rate for all teachers which could be used for comparison purposes, again seems to be misleading.

The statistic that the superintendent received a one year 11% increase in salary falls into the irrelevant category. Even with that 11% increase, the superintendent position is being paid 20% less today than five years ago. How does a position whose absolute salary has gone down over recent years draw away budget dollars that could be used to pay teachers? It doesn’t.

The next statistic relies on the public’s lack of familiarity with how the school budget works. On the surface, taking $500,000 from the “Teacher Salary” account sounds like a terrible thing. But in reality, budget money is routinely shifted from areas where actual expenses are less than budget estimates to areas where actual expenses exceed estimates. Budget estimates are set before the beginning of the fiscal year. In most cases there is no way to know how much will actually be spent on any given line item. As a result, budget amounts are usually estimated a little on the high side to protect against unforeseen expenses. Last year the district paid the teachers every dollar that they were contractually entitled to. The fact that the Board put aside more money than they needed to accomplish this should be of no concern to the teachers. The Board met its obligation. What remains should either go into surplus or be returned to taxpayers.

As a taxpayer, I totally approve of the $40,000 for a negotiating attorney. The last time that the Board tried to save money by negotiating without assistance resulted in disaster. It was around 2009 at a time when the Great Recession had just begun to take hold. The governor had already frozen the wages of state employees and there were massive layoffs in both the public and the private sectors. But the Parsippany district contract gave teachers raises of 4 – 4 ½%, leaving the public in disbelief. A few months later when nearby towns were negotiating contracts in the 2-2 ½% range, it became clear just how bad the Parsippany contract was. Today, because of the 2% cap on the budget, the Board cannot simply pass on the costs of a 4% increase to the public. Any amount beyond 2% must come out of other budget items such as building maintenance or iPads. The Board’s main obligation is to the students, and under current budget rules the Board can no longer afford to enter into a contract that would disproportionately reduce student related line items. A negotiating attorney is necessary to insure that the Board does not enter into a contract that would be detrimental to the students.

The 2015-2016 budget will increase by about $2.5 million as a result of the 2% cap. The flyer asks “Where does the money go?”, yet it omits one of the biggest expenditures. The increase in Medical Benefit premiums alone will eat up almost half of the 2% cap. The remaining half is all that is left to support increases for all the other budget categories including teacher salaries.

In order for the public to determine whether the teachers have been treated fairly or not, meaningful statistics must be provided. For this purpose, I ask the Board to provide the following information at the next Board meeting, and in the Q&A section of the Board website.

  • What is the average salary increase received by Parsippany district administrators over the last five years?
  • What is the average salary increase received by Parsippany district teachers over the last five years?
  • How do the average teacher salaries for the Parsippany district compare to the average teacher salaries for other K thru 12 districts in Morris County, adjusting for differences in average length of service?

Bob Venezia

February Teen Night at the Y!

Frank L. Cahill
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February Teen Night at the Y!

MOUNTAIN LAKES — Come to the Lakeland Hills YMCA with your friends and enjoy an evening just for you – sixth through eighth graders!

Swimming, Kids Zone, Gym Games, Music, Dancing, and snacks are all available to you. Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 20, from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

It’s FREE for members, non-members welcome at $5.00.

Register now at the Y or online at www.lakelandhillsymca.com  Questions? Contact BreAnne at (973) 334-2820 or email: breannel@lhymca.com

Nicholas Lopez named to Deans List at Montclair

Frank L. Cahill
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Nicholas Lopez named to Deans List at Montclair

PARSIPPANY — Nicholas Lopez, a 2015 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School was named to the Deans List for Fall Semester at Montclair State University.

Nicholas is employed at the Parsippany International House of Pancakes (IHOP).

Montclair State University is committed to serving the educational needs of New Jersey with programs characterized by academic rigor and currency in the development of knowledge and its applications. The University will offer a comprehensive range of baccalaureate, master’s, and certificate programs and a focused portfolio of doctoral programs that are closely aligned with the University’s academic strengths and the needs of the state.

The University will recruit faculty with exceptional academic or professional credentials and a deep commitment to the pursuit of their development as teachers and scholars. The University will admit to study with this faculty students who have demonstrated the potential for high achievement, diligence in the pursuit of their education, and high aspirations for using their education. The University will be inexorably committed to the maintenance of a learning community that is deeply and broadly reflective of the diverse population of New Jersey.

All University programs will develop in students the ability to discover, create, evaluate, apply, and share knowledge in a climate characterized by tolerance and openness in the exploration of ideas. Curricular and co-curricular programs will cultivate the ability to think critically, to act ethically, and to become informed citizen-participants prepared to assume leadership roles in a democracy. Recognizing the increasing connectedness of the world, the University will ensure that all students develop an understanding of global issues and of their responsibilities as citizens of the world.

Bomb Threat at Holiday Inn

Frank L. Cahill
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Bomb Threat at Holiday Inn

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Dispatchers received a 911 call reporting that there was a bomb at the Holiday Inn located at 707 Route 46 at 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, February 11.

Multiple Patrol Officers responded to the location, along with Morris County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Units.

A check of the area was completed and no suspicious items or bombs were found. This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.

John Sierchio announces candidacy for Morris County Sheriff

Frank L. Cahill
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John Sierchio announces candidacy for Morris County Sheriff
John Sierchio
John Sierchio

MORRIS COUNTY – With the recent announcement that Sheriff Ed Rochford would not be seeking re-election this year, John Sierchio officially announced his candidacy to seek the Republican nomination for Morris County Sheriff.

Sierchio has devoted his life to serving and protecting his community, rising from Sheriff’s Officer to Detective Sergeant in his 27-year law enforcement career.  Sierchio also served as Chairman of the state’s Police and Fireman’s Retirement System, where the Star-Ledger called him a “crusader” for saving millions of taxpayer dollars by exposing fraudulent pension claims.

“First and foremost, the job of Sheriff is to keep us safe, and my 27 years on the job every day – whether as a Sheriff’s Officer, Police Officer, Detective or Detective Sergeant – provides me the real world, on-the-ground experience to confront the new realities of crime in Morris County in 2016,” stated Sierchio, who served on the Bloomfield Police Department, the Essex County Police Department, and as an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer.  “There’s no one better equipped to fight the explosion of drugs, infiltration of gangs, and the crimes associated with these threats in our communities than me, because I’ve been doing it my entire life.”

“Other people may talk about saving taxpayer dollars and reforming government, but I’ve already been hard at work doing both,” said Sierchio, who served five years as Chairman of the state’s Police and Fireman’s Retirement System and twelve years total on its Board of Trustees.  “By shining a light on fraudulent pension claims, I saved millions of dollars for taxpayers and protected the savings of law-abiding citizens.”

Sierchio was appointed by Governor Chris Christie to serve as a Member of the Governor’s Transition Team in 2009, where John served as a member of the Law and Public Safety Subcommittee.

On Day 1 of being sworn in as Sheriff, John Sierchio will:

  • Institute a forensic, line-by-line auditing report of the Sheriff’s budget to investigate areas for saving taxpayer dollars; the report will be due within 100 days, at which time its findings will be acted upon
  • Immediately convene a Sheriff’s Committee to combat the county’s growing opiate and heroin crisis, consisting of local officials, law enforcement, community leaders, and experts in the field of drug abuse prevention and recovery; the task force will issue its report with concrete recommendations within 100 days
  • Meet with all local police chiefs to share intelligence, increase efficiencies, and enhance coordination of law enforcement resources in our towns, neighborhoods, and schools
  • Continuing Sheriff Rochford’s practice of refusing to accept the full Sheriff’s salary, John will accept only the minimum salary allowed by law

John is married with four children and lives with his family in Boonton Township, where he has served as a Member of the Board of Education since 2008.  John is a member of many organizations, including the New Jersey State PBA, the Italian American Police Society, and is a Life Member of the National Rife Association.

Contract impasse spurs Parsippany teachers to nix field trips, advising clubs

Frank L. Cahill
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Contract impasse spurs Parsippany teachers to nix field trips, advising clubs

PARSIPPANY — An impasse in contract negotiations between the school board and the teachers’ union has led to job actions by union members including their refusal to volunteer for field trips that extend past the school day and to serve as club advisers. The union disputes that it has prompted any change by its members, but…

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Construction begins on Route 80 ramp from Route 46 in April

Frank L. Cahill
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Construction begins on Route 80 ramp from Route 46 in April

PARSIPPANY — A major bridge demolition and reconstruction project will close the Route 80 ramp from Route 46 starting in April, according to the state Department of Transportation. The DOT said the full closure of the Route 46 westbound ramp to the westbound local lanes of Route 80 will start on April 4 and continue until…

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Morris officials describe plans to deal with Zika virus

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris officials describe plans to deal with Zika virus

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County officials plan to fight a possible invasion of the Zika virus by expanding on familiar techniques — the same ones they’ve used for years in their mosquito control program. Two Morris County officials presented their plans for dealing with the possible problem, along with providing information on what the virus is…

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Board of Education released information regarding the negotiations

Frank L. Cahill
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Board of Education released information regarding the negotiations

PARSIPPANY — The Board of Education released the following information regarding the negotiations with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association:

The Board of Education (Board) values our teachers and wants to negotiate a fair and equitable contract with them; a contract that addresses the demands of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association (PTHEA), meets the needs of our students, and that our community can afford today and years down the road. The Board would like to provide our community with a more complete understanding of the key current issues which the Board believes are limiting its ability to reach a fair and equitable contract settlement:

  1. Reductions in the amount PTHEA members contribute to offset District health insurance costs. PTHEA is demanding a significant reduction in the State-mandated amount they contribute to help cover the cost of health insurance. Currently, teachers are provided with Health, Dental, and Prescription Insurance which costs the District $14,598,626.00 per year. The District projects another 9% increase in this premium number for next year. The cost for a teacher’s family coverage currently ranges from $30,280.32 to $31,813.92 per year. While the amount of a teacher’s contribution varies by salary, an average teacher contributes $5,300 to this premium.

  2. Salary Increases – PTHEA has rejected the Board’s proposed salary increases that are very close to the average salary increases for Morris County school districts.

  3. Job Actions – Despite the fact that for the past five months our teachers have continued by law to receive all the protections of their previous contract, including full health insurance benefits, the PTHEA has initiated job actions that directly impact our students.

  4. Property Tax Cap – The State mandated limit of 2% on any property tax increase makes it challenging for the District to maintain current class sizes and instructional and co-curricular programs, let alone attempting to even partially meet the demands of the PTHEA.

We are – and always have been – ready and willing to return to the negotiations table to negotiate a fair and equitable contract. To demonstrate our good faith and to restart the negotiations process, the Board recently hired a new attorney/negotiator to work with both parties to bring current negotiations to a successful conclusion.

Despite PTHEA’s decision to declare an impasse after only a few meetings and implement job actions, the Board met with the PTHEA negotiations team on January 20, 2016 and had a very cordial session where the Board listened intently to the PTHEA’s concerns. Again, in an effort to settle the contract, the Board met with the State mediator on January 26, 2016 and negotiated with the PTHEA until 2:00 AM. Although significant differences remain in the parties’ positions, the Board and the PTHEA both agreed that they would attempt to start brainstorming solutions to address both the PTHEA’s concerns and the Board’s issues that have been on the table since the beginning of negotiations.

Despite the proactive steps the Board has taken to advance negotiations, PTHEA recently decided to prevent its members from volunteering for field trips that extend beyond the school day, participating in student events like “The PHHS Gong Show” and to voluntarily serve as advisors for student clubs. The Board is very disappointed in this most recent job action and understands how unsettling the PTHEA job actions can be for our students, their parents, and our schools. We project that the job action to prohibit teachers from voluntarily advising clubs alone will affect over 500 students. The Board has always taken a strong stand against involving students in labor issues. When one considers that the prior contract only ended on June 30, 2015, and that a major impediment to a contract settlement is the result of legislative action by the State of New Jersey requiring teachers to contribute to the cost of their health insurance, it is unfortunate that PTHEA has imposed these job actions on our students and community. Despite these job actions, the Board looks forward to continuing negotiations with PTHEA and working with the State assigned mediator to resolve the few remaining BOE issues and the unresolved PTHEA demands for salary and benefits. The Board does value our teachers and wants to negotiate a fair and equitable contract to support our high quality teachers. However, the Board must also be cognizant of its responsibility to ensure that a final contract is fiscally responsible and sustainable for our community.

 

Sheriff Rochford to retire after 51 years in Law Enforcement

Frank L. Cahill
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Sheriff Rochford to retire after 51 years in Law Enforcement

MORRIS COUNTY — After fifty-one years of dedicated law enforcement service to the only county he has ever lived in, Morris County Sheriff, Edward V. Rochford, will retire at the end of his current term on December 31, 2016.

kmnowopenRochford said “Fifty one years in the same profession is a long, long time! My goal when I became sheriff back in 1993, was to take a good sheriff’s office to a higher level. With the officers and employees I have had throughout the years, coupled with the management philosophy I have always maintained, we were able to accomplish just that. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office earned the prestige of being the first nationally accredited sheriff’s agency in the state of New Jersey in 1998. Further, I credit current and former employees for their loyalty and dedication in achieving the Crown Jewel in law enforcement by receiving the coveted Triple Crown Award from the National Sheriffs’ Association for simultaneously being accredited by three national associations in law enforcement and corrections.” 

Out of the 3,082 sheriff’s offices nationwide, only 36 of them have ever received this distinction and under the leadership of Sheriff Rochford, the MCSO received this award twelve years in a row. Additionally, since 2004, the Morris County Correctional Facility has consistently been rated in the top 1% of all jails nationwide and that is out of a pool of over 3000 jails.

Rochford originally started his career in 1965 with the Morris Township Police Department and served there for twenty-seven years attaining the rank of Deputy Chief. In 1992, and was elected to the position of county sheriff, and was sworn into office on January 1, 1993. He went on to be re-elected for seven more terms. Rochford made history this past November as the only person in the history of Morris County to achieve fifty years of service in a law enforcement capacity exclusively to the County of Morris.

Sheriff Rochford has been honored with countless awards throughout his career, too many to enumerate, with over 50 departmental awards including Police Officer of the Year while at the Morris Township PD.  Some of the more memorable and recent awards/honors include the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award given to him by the New Jersey State Troopers Coalition, 2015 New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement Department Achievement Award, 2015 Special Achievement Award by the New Jersey Taxpayers Association, 2009 Distinguished Leadership Award by the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police, the honor of being named the Morris County Grand Marshal for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 2013 and later this year he is receiving the 2016 Boy Scouts of America Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Sheriff Rochford was well known for supporting his officers and employees, and he consistently recognized them for their outstanding work. The services performed by the Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement and Bureau of Corrections were second to none. Rochford was well known for his dedication to the job, being the first one in and the last one to leave the office and then attending numerous events during the evening and weekends; always staying in touch with the residents of the county. Rochford never forgot his roots and always was remained a steward to the county. Rochford will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 4pm in front of the courthouse to release more information.  

As for what is entailed for the sheriff upon his retirement…”I am an avid baseball fan and I have always wanted to visit every major league baseball stadium in the country. I will work on knocking this off my bucket list!”

Hindus seek Diwali holiday in Parsippany-Troy Hills School District

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Hindus seek Diwali holiday in Parsippany-Troy Hills School District

PARSIPPANY — Hindus are urging Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District (PTHSD) in New Jersey to include Diwali, the most popular Hindu holy day, as a schools holiday in their 2016-2017 calendar and beyond.

The 2015-2016 Calendar of PTHSD, whose “mission” includes “to develop a feeling of self-worth and confidence”, showed schools were closed for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, while district was closed for Good Friday.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a recent statement, said that it was not fair with Hindu pupils and their families as they had to attend school on their most popular festival.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that this unfairness did not send a good signal to the impressionable minds of schoolchildren who would be the leaders of tomorrow. Holidays of all major religions should be honored and no one should be penalized for practicing their religion. Moreover, it was important to meet the religious and spiritual needs of these students, Zed added. 

Rajan Zed stressed that since it was important for Hindu families to celebrate Diwali day together at home with their children, we did not want our children to be deprived of any privileges at the school because of thus resulting absences on this day. Closing schools on Diwali would ensure that and it would be a step in the positive direction.

 Zed noted that awareness about other religions thus created by such holidays like Diwali would make the PTHSD pupils well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.

PTHSD needed to develop some sensitivity to diversity in the changing demographics and grant holidays on Diwali and major festivals of other religions so the students did not have to miss school to celebrate their sacred days. PTHSD should awake and understand that we live in 2016 now, Rajan Zed stated.

 Zed further says that Hinduism is rich in festivals and religious festivals are very dear and sacred to Hindus. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Besides Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA. 

PTHSD, which reportedly has substantial number of Hindu students, serves about 7250 students in 14 schools, besides an adult education center, in a middle and upper-middle income “ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse” community.

Parsippany is 28 miles west of New York City. Dr. LeRoy Seitz is Interim Superintendent, while Frank Neglia is President of its Board of Education.

Parsippany Town Council Agenda Meeting 02/02/2016

Letters to the Editor
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Parsippany Town Council Agenda Meeting 02/02/2016

Letter to the editor: Where does the money go?

Letters to the Editor
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Letter to the editor: Where does the money go?

MailboxsmallDear Editor:

Monday, February 1, 2016, I received in the mail a flier “Where does the money go???? It appears the flier was prepared and paid for by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association. Who funds the association I do not know at this time.

The first glaring mistake was that this flier listed Michael Pietrowicz as a sitting Board of Education member. Mr. Pietrowicz’s term expired December 2015. What the flier does not tell the reader:

    1. Teachers received a very lucrative contract and pay increases at the last negotiation before the Governors cap restriction.
    2. Par-Troy teachers contract has the highest pay scale and benefits in the county.
    3. The teachers “ADD ONS” are very lucrative and in my opinion absurd!
    4. Where were the teachers when administrators got their ridiculous bonuses and pay raises?
    5. There are many more points I can make as to the flier.

Teachers do not pat yourselves on the back. I and many others know you have a great deal from start to finish. Full coverage medical and dental when you retire, a pension plan far exceeding the private sector. Why doesn’t the Association state the fact that many board members and administrators get their family members jobs in the school system.

Parsippany unfortunately lost one of its most precious, caring, educated board member last year, Dr. Frank Calabria. My many private conversations with Frank over twenty years gave me insight to many areas of the educational system and teachers contracts. I miss him.

In early 2014, I learned how the teachers contract pay increase was distributed throughout the staff. I was very surprised, flummoxed and my first response was that it was not fair. However, upon “a step back approach” I concluded it is fair and just. With all that said, I have been raised to be a soldiers general, the teachers are on the front line, their the foundation, their the ones that must deal with problems face to face every day.

Please keep in mind, the well is getting dry in America, we are in trouble, morally, ethically and financially. I know many teachers personally, many of you know I look at the whole picture altruistically.

Lets work this out.

Roy Messmer

Valori throws in his hat for Freeholder race

Frank L. Cahill
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Valori throws in his hat for Freeholder race

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Louis Valori announced at the Randolph Republican Club of his intention to run for a seat on Morris County Freeholder.

Valori, won elected to the Township Council during the November 2013 general election was sworn in on January 1, 2014. His term ends December 2017.  He was nominated to serve as President of the Council during the reorganization meeting this past January.

Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo, Freeholder Doug Cabana and Freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo are up for re-election.

They have not officially announced re-election plans.

Also at the Randolph Republican meeting it was announced that Randolph Mayor Roman Hirniak, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Adjustment attorney Peter King will run in the June 7 primary election for seats on the freeholder board.

The freeholder board currently consists of Freeholder Director Kathryn A. DeFillippo, Deputy Freeholder Director Lyon, newly re-elected John Cesaro, new elected Christine Myers and Debbie Smith, as well as DeFillippo, Cabana and Mastrangelo.

Peter King, Esq., did not attend the Randolph Republican meeting on Wednesday, since he was at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Adjustment meeting.

Randolph Mayor Roman Hirniak
Randolph Mayor Roman Hirniak

Randolph Mayor Roman Hirniak terms expires December 31, 2016. Hirniak was elected to the Randolph Township Council in November of 2012, after having served two terms on the planning board and one term each on both the recreation advisory committee and the traffic advisory committee. During calendar year 2015, he was the township’s deputy mayor. Roman is a member of the Randolph Rotary Club, attends St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany and serves as a pedagogical advisor to the Ukrainian Educational Council. A graduate of Marquette University and The John Marshall Law School, he is a vice president and senior counsel with Santander Bank, N.A. His son Alex is a freshman at Rutgers University, studying biomedical engineering and his daughters Juliana and Adriana are, respectively, a junior and a freshman at Randolph High School. Roman enjoys swimming laps at the Randolph YMCA and lives on Ridge Road in the Mount Fern neighborhood.

King was a partner in a law firm with ex-state Senator John Dorsey and currently is a partner in the law firm King & Petracca, located at 51 Gibraltar Drive.

King is a certified diplomate in municipal law in the State of New Jersey and has extensive municipal experience, including positions as: Municipal Attorney; Conflict Counsel; Municipal Planning Board/Zoning Board Attorney; Municipal Board of Health Attorney; Municipal Prosecutor; Historic Preservation Commission Attorney; Water Commission Attorney; and Defense Counsel for various insurance funds.

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Parsippany attorney Peter King

Mr. King is admitted to the bar of the State of New Jersey, and to the U.S. District Court District of New Jersey and is a graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Meet Meadow! Meadow is looking for her furever home

Frank L. Cahill
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Meet Meadow! Meadow is looking for her furever home

Meadow is between two to three years old, weighs about fifty pounds and she is beautiful! She has a beautiful shinny black coat with white on her chest and her four paws. And, just look at those eyes!

Meadow was dropped off at a high kill shelter in North Carolina after she was hit by a car. The nice people at the shelter took her to the vet where it was deternined she had a dislocated hip. The vet treated her hip and Meadow is now a happy pup!

When Furever Home Dog Rescue (FHDR) heard about how sweet and friendly Meadow was, we transported her to a nice foster home here in New Jersey. Her foster family says….”Meadow is an absolute Love!! She is very affectionate and loves being with people! If you are standing or sitting, Meadow will lean into you to get petted. She spends her days going to long walks and playing with our dogs. Meadow is very gentle and sweet and is an all around great dog. We love her!”

Get your application in now, we know with her personality she will be adopted quickly.

If you have a furever home for this pet, please e-mail FHDR@att.net and request an adoption application. 

Northvail Participates in the Flat Stanley Project 

Frank L. Cahill
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Northvail Participates in the Flat Stanley Project 

PARSIPPANY — A third-grade teacher in Ontario, Canada started the Flat Stanley project in 1995. The idea was to make a paper cutout of the main character from the book “Flat Stanley,” by Jeff Brown, and mail that cutout around the world, keeping a journal of where Stanley had been.

The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect your classroom with other classrooms participating in the Project by mailing  “flat” visitors, created by the children. Kids then talk about, track, and write about their flat character’s journey and adventure similar to a pen-pal activity.  In addition to letter-writing skills, keeping track of Flat Stanley supports lessons in geography.

A few weeks ago Ms. Cassetta, Mrs. Tangorra and Mrs. Hackett, first grade teachers at Northvail School, introduced the Flat Stanley Project idea to theirstudents, and they were very excited to participate. They sent letters to many places in the U.S. and countries around the world including India, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Dubai to name just a few.

Every day they are receiving responses. So far they have received correspondence from Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Oregon and Texas.

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