Aarin Feliz Named to Springfield College Dean’s List

PARSIPPANY —  Springfield College has named Aarin Feliz of Lake Hiawatha to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the fall 2015 term. Feliz is studying Movement and Sport Studies. Aarin is a graduate of Parsippany High School Class of 2015.

Criteria for selection to the dean’s list are as follows: The student must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded coursework for the semester, exclusive of “P” grades; the student must not have any incompletes, missing grades or “CPs” in the designated semester; the student must have a minimum semester grade point average of 3.500 for the semester; and the student must not have been barred from the dean’s list due to a disciplinary action.

Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide for the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophyeducating students in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others. With its foundation of academic excellence and rich athletic heritage, Springfield College prepares students with real-world leadership skills for careers that transform lives and communities.

The college offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. It also offers doctoral programs in physical education, physical therapy, and counseling psychology.

The college is ranked in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges in the top tier of Best Regional Universities North Region by U.S.News & World Report, and is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA. More than 5,000 traditional, nontraditional and international students study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at regional campuses throughout the country.

“Beetle” flips over on Route 10

PARSIPPANY — Mr. John Radassich, 54, Long Valley was stopped at the intersection of Powder Mill Road and Route 10 East at the traffic signal.   When the light turned green he proceeded to drive east on Route 10, when he was struck by a 2008 Red Volkswagen Beetle.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 17-year old Parsippany Hills High School student, was driving north on South Powder Mill Road when she turned right on Route 10 on a red traffic signal.  When she entered onto Route 10 east she was unable to see due to the sun glare and struck Mr. Radassich’s 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.   Then rolled the vehicle over when she lost control.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene by C & L Towing.

The driver and the passenger in the 2008 Volkswagen both escaped injuries.

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The 2008 Volkswagen Beetle landed on the roof of the vehicle
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A Parsippany police officer getting the girls books from the vehicle.
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An officer investigates the damage to the Jeep

Mexican Restaurant celebrates grand opening

PARSIPPANY — Las Leyendas De Mexico recently celebrated a ribbon cutting grand opening.

The new restaurant is located at 71 New Road, New Road Plaza.

They are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

For more information call (973) 287-6070

 

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Xceed Financial to award $10,000 through Scholarship Program

PARSIPPANY —  Becoming a credit union member can be a great way for a young person to get off on the right foot financially. With Xceed Financial Credit Union’s Romeo Doty Scholarship Program — which will award ten $1,000 scholarships to talented high school seniors this spring — it can also yield help paying for a college education. They are located at 22 Sylvan Way.

“The late Romeo Doty served on the Xceed Financial board for many years, and he was passionate about the importance of education,” said Xceed Financial President and Chief Executive Teresa Freeborn. “In recognition of his service to the Credit Union, Xceed created the Romeo Doty Scholarship program to help fulfill his dream of making higher education accessible for all students.”

To be considered for the scholarship, students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5, and supply copies of their transcripts. They must also complete an application, sharing details of their extracurricular activities, including community service, school service, and work. The last part of the application is a personal essay that demonstrates both their knowledge and creativity.

“With ApplePay, AndroidPay, and so many other payment methods now available, the essay question this year asks students to share their thoughts on what credit unions can do to ensure they stay competitive and their products remain a viable option for consumers,” said Freeborn. “Since today’s students are digital natives, we’re excited to get their opinions.”

A panel of judges within the Credit Union will evaluate the applications, and announce the ten recipients in June 2016.

Applicants need to be members of the Credit Union to be considered for the scholarships. Interested students, parents or guardians should video chat with an Xceed associate using the Xperience Center at xfcu.org or call Xceed Financial’s toll-free line at 800.XFCU.222 to learn more.

About Xceed Financial Credit Union
Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., Xceed Financial is a full-service, federally chartered not-for-profit workplace credit union that focuses on meeting the needs of businesses and their employees throughout the United States. With roots going back 85 years, it now has over $1.2 billion in assets under management, nearly 65,000 members, and operates 11 Financial Centers in five states. Xceed Financial partners with more than 300 employers – also called “select employer groups” or SEGs – to deliver personal banking, wealth management services, and financial education to working adults and their families. The Credit Union has a four-star, excellent rating from BauerFinancial, and has been named one of CU Times’ “Best Credit Unions to Work For” for the past two years. Learn more at www.xfcu.org.

Clean those fire hydrants; sidewalks and handicapped parking areas

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department reminds residents of Ordinance 346-1: The owner, tenant or occupant of any lands abutting upon the public streets of the Township shall remove all snow and ice from abutting sidewalks and fire hydrants, and the owner or tenant or occupant of property containing handicapped parking spaces shall remove all snow and ice from the handicapped parking spaces within 12 hours of daylight after the snow falls or ice is formed thereon.firehydrant2

Parsippany closings – Saturday, January 23

PARSIPPANY FOCUS — As of Friday afternoon, The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning which will remain in effect from midnight tonight to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. We still see a few varying opinions from the weather team with some of the current storm models having a lower than normal confidence forecast. Periods of snow will likely begin after midnight this evening with some models suggesting a snow start time of 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning and ending 12:00 Midnight to 2:00 a.m. on Sunday. Snowfall amounts of 4-11” are being forecasted along with potential wind gusts of 20-35mph.

A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice are expected. Strong winds are also possible and travel may be hazardous.

Parsippany Focus, in the past, has kept the public aware of closings.  Our list is updated frequently, so we suggest you check back.  As of now the following events / buildings will be closed on Saturday, January 23.

New Jersey Transit has a temporary full shutdown of the system beginning at 2 a.m. Saturday morning

  • Bus, Rail and Light Rail: Bus and rail service will implement a full, temporary shutdown of all service at 2 a.m. Saturday with service resuming as weather conditions permit.
  • Access Link: Service suspended all day Saturday, resuming Sunday at 12 p.m.

Uber system will not be available until conditions improve.

Woman’s Club – Spelling Bee – scheduled for Saturday, January 23 has been reschedule to Saturday, January 30.

Parsippany PAL Building will be closed on Saturday, January 23.

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Library and its branches will be closed on Saturday, January 23.

Denville Dairy will be closed on Saturday, January 23 and reopen on Sunday, January 24

The Morris County Library will be closed on Saturday, January 23.

County Park Commission has cancelled its maple sugaring event at Great Swamp due to the incoming winter storm.

Parsippany Free Transit System has cancelled all service for Saturday, January 23.

Parsippany Recycling Center will be closed on Saturday, January 23.

Parsippany Board of Education  – All school buildings are closed.

New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed.

The Music Shop will be closed on Saturday, January 23.

If you group or organization would like to list a cancelled event here, please email Parsippany Focus at news@parsippanyfocus.com.

 

Woman’s Club supports the library with book donation

PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills has donated a book on mental illness to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library System.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the special state project for the member clubs in the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Club Chairman Claudia McCarthy presented the book, “Behind the Wall: The True Story of Mental Illness as Told by Parents” which offers an intimate look at parenting a child with serious mental illness, presenting stories that have the power to educate, advocate and heal.

This collection of seven true stories told by nine parents offers a perspective unique to parents, who witness the illness unfold, fight the lonely battles on their child’s behalf, and serve as fierce allies for the road to recovery.

The Parsippany Library has other great resources and books on mental illness.

For additional information on NAMI, click here.

For information on the Woman’s Club involvement with JBWS, call Claudia at (908) 489-2314.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.

For more information about the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills, call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, email the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com or visit them online by clicking here.

Morris County braces for blizzard, as watches get upgraded to warnings

What can N.J. expect from the weekend winter storm? Here are the key factors including accumulations that Morris County residents should know about the upcoming winter storm. Friday morning is shaping up to be the calm before the storm — a big blizzard that’s on track to deliver a powerful punch to a wide stretch of New…

Council approves Liquor License transfer for redevelopment property

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council approved a “Person-to-Person” transfer of a Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License on Tuesday, January 19.

The license was previously owned by Ruby Tuesday (inactive Pocket License) and is being transferred to 1515, LLC. The owners of the property of 1515 Route 10 plan to build a total of 45,000 square feet of restaurant space and will most likely need a liquor license on the site.  The Ruby Tuesday license was the only available license in Parsippany.

In April 2015, the Township Council voted on a resolution to designate 1515 Route 10 (Lot 1.2, Block 200) as an Redevelopment Area pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.

In the proposed development it contemplates a 50-room hotel, 90,700 square feet of retail space, 45,000 square feet of restaurant space, 61,500 square feet of office space and 180 one bedroom units and 62 two bedroom units.

The project is projected to generate revenues of approximately $1.6 million annually that are anticipated to accrue to Parsippany Township, which is close to 2.5 times greater than the existing revenues.

According to their proposal the residential development is projected to generate 410 new residents including 12 school-age children. This reflects the number of total units and the number of proposed bedrooms within the project.

An affiliate of Stanbery Development, LLC and the developer/owner of The Shoppes at Union Hill in Denville acquired the complex.

Ex-teacher rejects plea offers in sex case with student

MORRISTOWN — A former teacher at Parsippany Hills High School on Wednesday rejected the prosecutor’s two final plea offers in a case accusing her of having sexual contact with a male student in 2013. Jenna Leahey, 33, a former English teacher and field hockey coach at the school, said she wants to go to trial on…

SPS Names Thomas M. Praschak as CEO

PARSIPPANY — Strategic Products and Services (SPS), a unified communications system integrator and managed service provider, today announced that in addition to serving as president, Thomas M. Praschak will assume the role of SPS chief executive officer (CEO). John N. Poole, who formerly served as CEO, will remain active on the executive board, assuming the role of executive chairman of the board. SPS is located at 300 Littleton Road.

Praschak joined SPS as chief operating officer (COO) in 2013, and assumed the role of president in 2015. Throughout his time with the company, he has helped SPS execute its plan and strategy. He has been involved in the company’s recent mergers and has actively met with SPS employees, partners and clients to devise a plan that builds upon the company’s strengths and facilitates its evolution into a systems integrator (SI).

“What sets SPS apart is the caliber of the team we have assembled, and I am proud of what we are building as an organization. We have a tremendous opportunity,” said Praschak. “I am excited to accept my extended role as CEO and lead the SPS team in this next crucial stage of the company’s development.”

SPS specializes in design, integration and managed services for unified communications (UC), including voice, video conferencing, collaboration and contact center. SPS teams with clients, providing professional services, managed services and cloud-based solutions to deliver exceptional results.

Throughout his career, Praschak has helped companies make foundational enhancements and successfully transition into solution providers. Prior to joining SPS, he served as the vice president, service operations for Dimension Data and vice president, general manager for DecisionOne. He has also held roles with Marconi, Lucent Technologies and AT&T Bell Laboratories.

About SPS
Strategic Products and Services (SPS) is a global, multi-vendor IT solution provider for unified communications (UC). With documented and repeatable processes, deep knowledge, broad competencies and certifications, we enable clients to optimize their business with custom end-to-end communication solutions – from strategy and design through implementation, support and managed services.

Having achieved more than 25 years of profitable growth, SPS has offices across North America and the United Kingdom. The company is also a founding member of the Intelligent Communications Alliance (ICA), a global partner network providing multi-national customers with a consistent approach to pricing, design, installation and support of integrated business solutions. Click here to learn more.

Emergency officials eying storm’s impact on N.J. coast

Christie on potential blizzard that could hit N.J. Gov. Christie gives an update on what he’s been doing to preparing for the potential blizzard that could hit New Jersey. TRENTON — State authorities are keeping a close eye on the track of a winter storm that could wallop wide swaths of New Jersey this weekend. “Right…

Christie: No plans to cut campaign short, state ‘preparing for worst’ with storm

Christie on potential blizzard that could hit New Jersey Governor Christie gives an update on what he’s been doing to preparing for the potential blizzard that could hit New Jersey. CHESTER, N.H. — Gov. Chris Christie said he has no plans for now to cut short his campaign trip in New Hampshire and return to New Jersey…

Emergency officials eying storm’s impact on N.J. coast

Christie on potential blizzard that could hit N.J. Gov. Christie gives an update on what he’s been doing to preparing for the potential blizzard that could hit New Jersey. TRENTON — State authorities are keeping a close eye on the track of a winter storm that could wallop wide swaths of New Jersey this weekend. “Right…

Parsippany appoints “Acting Township Clerk”

PARSIPPANY — The appointment of Parsippany resident Khaled Madin as Acting Township Clerk passed by a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Michael dePierro casting the lone vote against Madin.

Councilman Michael dePierro voted no, saying he was not part of the process of selecting a clerk to replace Yancy Wazirmas, who left the position in the fall. Business administrator Ellen Sandman has covered the clerk’s duties in the interim. Paul Carifi, Jr., the previous Council President formed a search committee and Vice President Robert Peluso and Louis Valori were appointed to the search committee.

“We did have a number of certified township clerks that applied, we had one local applicant that applied, one applicant that was a former deputy clerk in town, so we had fully certified people that were willing to take this job,” dePierro said. “And yet we hired someone who had no certifications and no experience as municipal clerk. I’m opposed to that.”

Councilman Paul Carfi stated “I would like to congratulate Mr. Madin. I am sure he will do a great job as our town clerk and I look forward to working with him.”

New Township Acting Clerk Khaled Madin
New Township Acting Clerk Khaled Madin standing in front of his new office at town hall

Khaled, who is currently employed at the Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs, will take the reins effective Monday, January 25.  He has been with the Attorney Generals Office since September 2012. Prior to that he was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Peter C. Ioannou.

He is a 2005 graduate of William Paterson College, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a 2012 Graduate of Western Michigan Cooley Law School with a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude.

He is admitted to the bar in three states: New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Council Vice President Robert Peluso pointed out, “Khaled has a  strong customer service background, has managed four boards with over 39,500 licenses and has managed a staff of ten people.”

“After an exhaustive search we identified an ideal candidate for the Municipal Clerk position.  Mr. Madin has diverse experience from his previous employment as Executive Director with the Division of Consumer Affairs, as a licensed attorney in three states, and a front office manager working directly with the public. His skills and education are important, but equally important is his exceptional customer service skills that are sometimes ignored in the public sector. Mr. Madin, a graduate from Parsippany School District and resident understanding our diverse community.  I am confident that Mr. Madin will provide responsive leadership for our entire community,”  said Mr. Peluso.

Khaled said “I believe my legal background, management skills and administrative experience, particularly my familiarity with working with the public, fit well with the job requirements. I have extensive experience in many of Municipal Clerk duties, including but not limited to all aspects of licensure and permits for four State of New Jersey Boards, handling Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) requests, issuing public notification of all official activities and meetings, preparing minutes and agendas, maintaining and updating records and responding to requests for information from the public and other legislative offices.”

Madin will replace Business Administrator Ellen Sandman who has been acting clerk since September 2015 when Township Clerk Yancy Wazirmas resigned.

The Township Clerk serves as Secretary to the Township Council, Custodian of Government Records, Election Official and Registrar of Vital Statistics.

Mayor James Barberio failed to respond for comments for this story.

Parsippany High School announces 2016 Hall of Fame class

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Hall of Fame recognizes and honors PHS graduates and staff members who have distinguished themselves either during their time at PHS or during their careers in their fields of work or service. The committee evaluates each nominee on three criteria: recognized excellence in one’s field/profession; service and dedication to PHS; contributions to professional/civic organizations and/or publications, presentations, and recognition. The following inductees will be inducted at a ceremony on Thursday, February 4 at 5:00 p.m. in the PHS Media Center and will be announced before the boy’s basketball game at 7:00 p.m.

The 1999 PHS Redskins Basketball Team went 20-7 and is considered the best basketball team to ever represent PHS. Under the leadership of Head Coach Joe Flanagan, they were North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 Champions, Group 3 Champions, Overall Group 3 Champions and advanced to the Tournament of Champions as one of the final six teams left in the state (that’s a lot of hardware). Along the way, the electrified the town of Parsippany and motivated raucous PHS fans to drive all over the state in support of their Redskins who finished the year ranked #19 in the state. During the 1997-98 season they became the only PHS hoops team to win the Morris County Tournament, defeating #1 seed Delbarton and future NBA star Troy Murphy in the process. Roster: Clarence Curry, Joe Dellafave, Mike Fleig, Justin Gerardo, Brian Greenspan, Damion Kolb, Adam Kreczewzki, Michael Parlato, Jeremy Phillips, Jason Roberts, Anthony Smith, Andrew Soto, Mohammed Wallizeheh, Rashawn Ward, Andrew Moses (Team Manager), Melody Lieberman & Stephanie Antonucci Stohrer (Statisticians).  Coaches: Joe Flanagan-Head Coach; Mark Gnapp –Assistant Coach; Rob Reiber- Assistant Coach.

Clarence Curry III graduated from PHS in 2000. As a Redskin, he participated in football, basketball and track in addition to Student Council and Choir. After a banner high school athletic career in which he accumulated several school records, All-Area Awards, and led his teams to County and State championships, Clarence moved on to Villanova University where he was a starter at cornerback for four seasons leading the team to the #1 ranked scoring defense in the nation and an appearance in the I-AA National Championship game. Following college, he was signed to the NFL by the Arizona Cardinals and spent a few seasons with the organization. Clarence then continued his career in the Arena Football League. Currently, Clarence owns and operates Teamwork Sports Academy, LLC and provides training and mentoring for young athletes.

As an English Teacher, Coach and Advisor, Ann Greiner devoted over 30 wonderful years to PHS. She impressed her colleagues and peers with her impeccable teaching skills and her dedication to students. She was a skilled educator with great insight into both literature and how students learn. Similarly, she worked incredibly well with her colleagues, sharing ideas and working together to improve instruction. Outside of the classroom, Ann possessed a tremendous love of PHS and was involved in myriad activities, all designed to make the school a better place for students. At various times during her career she was an advisor or coach of: Pep Club, Cheerleading, Totem, Varsity Club, Student Council, Steering Committees, etc… Ann rarely missed dances, trips or sporting events; she had such pride in the school and genuine affinity for her students. Everyone loved that Ms. Greiner always wore red and gray on every Friday.

Dr. John Molinaire graduated from PHS in 1980. During his time as a Redskin he was a standout student-athlete, earning multiple varsity letters in wrestling and football, including a role in the undefeated 1977 football season. John then moved on to Southampton College and majored in Marine Science/Biology before earning his medical degree from Temple University. He then opened a private dental practice, which he has operated for the past twenty-seven years. In addition to professional success, John has served on multiple charitable boards including the Whippany Rotary, Parsippany Police Athletic League, and the American Academy of Dentistry for Children.  Most impressively, John took part in the Healing the Children Dental Mission to Madagascar in 2007 and 2009, treating over 1,500 children in the process.

Nancy Russo Petryna (1980) was a standout student-athlete during her time at PHS. She earned nine varsity letters in both Gymnastics and Track & Field, but truly excelled as a sprinter. Competing in the long jump, 100, 200, 400 and 4×400, Nancy placed in every race she entered and graduated high school holding records in each event. Her 4×400 team consisting of her and classmates Sue Cammon, Cathy Plath and Lisa Pesci went undefeated in dual meets for four years, advanced to the Meet of Champions in 1980, and 36 years later, still hold the school record with a time of 49.2. Following high school, Nancy moved on to Bucknell where she continued to run and was named Outstanding Athlete upon her graduation in 1984. Following college, Nancy earned her Masters in Educational Psychology from Montclair State and her Doctor of School Psychology from Fordham. She is currently a school psychologist and the head coach of the track and field team at Livingston High School.

 

Local Parsippany resident publishes first novel

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“Twisted”

PARSIPPANY — A longtime resident, Richard Zawisha, has published his first novel, titled “Twisted.”  The novel is based on a middle aged couple, “The Stiltons” who encountered a tragic event in a small hamlet in West Point, New York.

A manuscript has been published by FriesenPress detailing what had occurred to that couple.  It could not be determined as to whether the manuscript was a fictional novel or a their account of what happened to the Stiltons.  The author used a pseudonym of Linda Rich and made one condition for publishing.

This is a summation from the back cover of Rich Zawisha’s first novel TWISTED by Linda Rich: Rich is a Parsippany resident of 20 years.  After retiring in 2012, he took up a life long ambition of writing his first novel much to the glee of his wife Linda who threatened to kill him if he planned to laze around for the next 25 years.  

TWISTED was probably written by a person who worked in law enforcement who documented the grizzly facts that occurred to this couple. The author requested that the story be told with only one condition.

Fans of Ann Rule, Gillian Flynn, Janet Evanovich and Sandra Brown will enjoy reading this book while trying to discover the ultimate twist to the story. The book combines an accounting of real murders and the mistakes made, humor, erotica and political statements. It fosters a unique style of writing never encountered before.

The book can be purchased online through FriesenPress via their bookstore, by clicking here.

Rich will be donating part of the proceeds from this novel to local non-profit groups.

Police seeking armed robbers who robbed Gulf Station

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Police Department was contacted by the victim of a robbery at 859 Route 46, the Gulf Gas Station at 12:54 a.m. on Thursday, January 21.

Multiple Parsippany Police Officers responded to the scene and secured the area. Preliminary reports indicate that the victim, a 37-year-old male, who is employed by the Gulf Gas Station was approached by two males, one Asian and one possibly black or Hispanic, who were asking for directions.

As the victim began to give them directions the Asian suspect produced a handgun, at which time the victim began to struggle with the Asian suspect over the handgun. The Asian suspect was able to free himself from the victim’s grasp and struck him in the head with the butt of the gun causing a laceration.

The second male suspect removed a small lock box with cash in it from the outside attendant booth.  Both suspects fled the area towards Red Roof Inn. The black or Hispanic male was described as being 5’8 tall, wearing black clothing and a ski mask.

The Asian male was described as being slightly shorter than the black male, wearing all black clothing and a ski mask. A perimeter was established and Morris County Sheriff’s Department K-9 responded to the scene to assist in tracking the suspects.  After a brief search the two subjects were not located. Morris County Sheriff’s Department CID responded to the scene and processed the area. Morris County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit was also advised of the incident.

The victim was transported by Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad to Saint Clares Hospital in Denville for treatment. This incident is under investigation by the Investigative Division of the Parsippany Police Department.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact Detective Sergeant T. Lesiak at (973) 263-4396.

Zufall Health Van Brings Low-Cost Primary Medical Care to Parsippany Area Residents at NewBridge Services

PARSIPPANY — Residents of Parsippany and surrounding communities can receive low-cost, high-quality medical care from Zufall Health the first and third Tuesdays of each month at NewBridge Services in the Troy Office Centre on Route 46.

NewBridge, a nonprofit provider of counseling services, housing and educational programs, has partnered with Zufall Health, a fully licensed, Federally Qualified Health Center to bring Zufall’s Highlands Health Van to Parsippany.

“We are proud to partner with Zufall to make primary medical care and counseling services convenient and affordable in the community,” NewBridge CEO Robert L. Parker said.

“There’s great mutual respect between Zufall and NewBridge,’’ Zufall President and CEO Eva Turbiner said. “We believe that integrating primary medical and behavioral health brings benefits for all,” she said. “This patient-centered, collaborative approach is designed to improve health outcomes.”

The 37-foot van, staffed by an advanced practice nurse and other medical professionals, has two exam rooms and an intake/waiting area. Zufall performs checkups, treats illnesses and injury, does preventive care, offers health education and counseling, and makes referrals to specialists.

Medicaid, Medicare, Family Care, and private insurances are accepted, and patients without insurance pay on a sliding scale based on income. Appointments are available between 12:00 Noon and 5:00 p.m. and walk-ins are welcome.

“I don’t have a regular physician, but I wanted to get a physical,” said Daniel Buckley, a NewBridge client who had an appointment at the van last month. “Everyone here is so nice, and I got what I needed,’’ Buckley said.

NewBridge opened its large, centralized Parsippany center in August to better serve Morris County residents. Located near the crossroads of routes 80 and 287, the 15,320-square-foot space  has 20 counseling rooms and spacious group therapy rooms, as well as a drop-in center for clients. It’s also the new home of NewBridge Jobs Plus, a free program that has helped more than 3,000 young adults earn their high school diplomas and prepare for careers.

The NewBridge center has the capacity to serve residents quickly, so they don’t have to endure long waiting lists to get the care they need, Parker said.

Zufall has been providing high-quality, affordable, compassionate medical and dental care to patients at locations in Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon, Warren, Somerset, and Essex counties for more than 25 years.
Residents can schedule an appointment for the Zufall van by visiting NewBridge’s Parsippany center at 1259 Route 46, Building 2, or by calling (973) 316-9333. The program is supported by a grant from Johnson & Johnson corporation.

Letter to the editor: Action Alert we can save Waterview Landscape as promised

MailboxsmallDear Editor:

As a community we are not meeting our fundamental human needs; thereby incurring unnecessary impacts and costs upon ourselves and diminishing our quality of life. RD an outside force to the community has somehow succeeded in changing our Master Plan to suit their interest. This should never have occurred and it smells of illegality. No force outside the community should be allowed such power within it. No need exist to create a specific retail and commercial zone on the on a landscape zoned as a planned office district easement. The present POD; planned office district is in the best interest of the community, and stands as a well-balanced distribution of remaining environmental sensitivity and biodiversity in the Troy Brook Watershed.

This physical feature brings aesthetic beauty and enhancement to the immediate neighborhood and the surrounding region.

The developer is guilty of using the public housing obligation as a threat to wear down this community through lawsuits and constantly changing his proposals. The public housing was a kick down the door final bully tactic used to cause an unjust compromise of fear, encouraged by the developers allies within the township circles.

Citizens and residents are aware that we have a right to appeal this decision based on a false premise of a housing threat and the fact that no real evidence has been shown to justify need of this rezoning/spot zoning other than an economic downtrend being experienced by all, everywhere. How can this justify changing our Master Plan in closed session without public participation or input, a total lack of transparency and evidence, to show need or change in the immediate neighborhood to justify this likely illegality.  

The truth is the developer RD has Pearl Harbored Parsippany during the holiday season 2015. On December 15, 2015 passing ordinance 2015-26, which is clearly in the best interest of the developer, including $3.5 million dollars of our open space tax money to be used as what amounts to a buffer zone, called open space; all of this in the name of fighting public housing obligations. Be aware that if and when the developer succeeds in this endeavor the waterview landscape will be more likely to be lost to public housing; when the unneeded retail commercial zone; including some housing; fails. The next rezone would likely be public housing. In truth we are making it easier for the slippery slope to continue in the degrading of our community’s quality of life.

Politicians whom do not represent their communities interest first are not community leaders, but politicians; politicians which have no place other than their self-promoting against their entrusted residents. In others words not ours, Parsippany’s, but their’s RD’s representatives.

In October 2013 Open space was promised, it has not been forthcoming. We had a planned office district that protected the community from over development or development not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood.  In short summary the present POD zone is in the best interest of the community the immediate neighborhood and the surrounding area. Neither the Planning Board nor the developer produced any sustainable evidence to show any need to rezone the property, other than an economic situation shared by all in the society. This cannot be allowed as an excuse to change our master plan, and change forever the character of the effected immediate neighborhood. No need exists for new land development for the purpose of retail and commercial

2015-26 Rezoning Ordinance, POD to RC must not be allowed to stand. Please become part of the new Hydra Head of Community resistance. Many reasons exist to defend this valuable natural resource we know as waterview. Join the Fundraiser answer the call of community; against private interest and do it ASAP before January 25th. Our Master Plan is ours respect the concept of the time value of money not the short-term leading us nowhere and with loss of a sense of home and place. 

Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034