PARSIPPANY — Select students have been named to the Spring 2017 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.
Nick Gaudio
Nicholas Gaudio, a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Class of 2014, currently majoring in Engineering.
Lauren Calabrese, is a graduate of Parsippany High School, Class of 2015, currently majoring in Creative Writing.
With campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island, Roger Williams University is a forward-thinking private university committed to strengthening society through engaged teaching and learning.
At RWU, small classes, direct access to faculty and guaranteed opportunity for real-world projects ensure that its nearly 4,000 undergraduates – along with hundreds of law students, graduate students and adult learners – graduate with the ability to think critically along with the practical skills that today’s employers demand.
Roger Williams is leading the way in American higher education, confronting the most pressing issues facing students and families – increasing costs, rising debt and job readiness.
MORRIS COUNTY — Seventeen year old Mountain Lakes High School student Sloane Liput, who will be a senior next year and hopes to attend West Point, was chosen to attend the prestigious Hawk Mountain Ranger Training School in Kempton, Pennsylvania. Ms. Liput is a member of the Picatinny Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary where she holds the rank of Cadet Master Sergeant.
Hawk Mountain Ranger School is the longest running Search & Rescue School in the nation. For over 60 years, the school has provided some of the best wilderness SAR training throughout the country. Courses include leadership training, compass and map reading, shelter construction, basic first aid, inland search and rescue, wilderness survival, and rigorous physical obstacle course exercises. To be qualified for the school an applicant must meet strict requirements that include physical conditioning and specialized classroom and practical skills. This year 140 teenagers from across the United States are participating in the nine day course.
The Picatinny Composite Squadron NJ-093 of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the nation’s official United States Air Force Auxiliary, celebrates 45 years of service this year.
During the past 45 years the New Jersey Squadron has helped locate lost hikers, tracked down and recovered missing planes, ferried sick children for specialized hospital treatment, and trained hundreds of young men and women in military customs and courtesies, powered and glider flight, aerospace history and the basics of flight, emergency services, and search and rescue.
Like its predecessors, today’s Picatinny Squadron is providing young people with the opportunity to experience flying, receive STEM training in aerospace, cyber-security, and scientific advancements, as well as supporting the community in Northern New Jersey with search and rescue and emergency service preparedness.
The national organization of Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP has 58,000 adult and youth members nationwide, and maintains more than 500 aircraft throughout the country. In 2014, Congress awarded CAP members who served during World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal recognizing their contributions towards the war effort stateside.
The Picatinny Composite Squadron is part of the CAP Northeast Region, New Jersey Wing. Its members are comprised of adults as well as teens from 13-17 from Morris, Warren and Sussex Counties. The group meets every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information click here or click here.
PARSIPPANY — In keeping with a longtime community tradition, a new king and queen will be crowned in Mount Tabor on Friday, August 4 at 7:00 p.m. to kick off Children’s Day weekend.
The community of Mount Tabor will celebrate its elected royal court and crown the King and Queen of Children’s Day the evening of Friday, August 4. The 148th annual coronation is held in the historic Tabernacle, where afterwards the children of Mount Tabor perform a show for their new royalty. Later that evening a tour through the cozy town affords an opportunity to view elaborate house decorations, many of which will reflect this year’s theme of “Tabor Toons” (or “Tunes.”) Other homes may display more traditional lights and lanterns.
The 2017 queen is Hannah Stroh, who will be a sophomore at Parsippany Hills High School. Hannah enjoys playing the clarinet and bassoon, and is a member of the PHHS Marching Band.
This year’s king is Joseph Wentworth, also a PHHS sophomore this fall. Joseph plays drums and the trombone, and enjoys swimming and travel.
First attendant Gianna Musto plays volleyball and enjoys time with friends and her cats. She will be a sophomore at the Hills this fall.
First attendant Jeremy Aguesseau is a First Class Scout in Boy Scout Troop 173 and runs track and cross-country for Parsippany Hills High School, where he will be a sophomore this fall. He also enjoys cooking and camping.
The Queen’s second attendants are Victoria Huss and Kimberly Love. The rising junior of the group, Victoria plays basketball and softball, and enjoys shopping, swimming, fishing and cooking. Kimberly plays the violin, viola and French horn and also enjoys writing. She, too, starts her sophomore year at the Hills in September.
2016’s King and Queen, Liam Andersen and Teagan Wittig, will bestow the crowns at the coronation.
Each year the community of Mount Tabor celebrates the tradition of Children’s Day that began nearly 150 years ago as a simple Sunday school parade. This special event now brings all generations together and fosters a strong sense of community, treasured by all who live in Mount Tabor.
Through the streets of the historic district on Saturday, August 5, the royal court will lead a parade which features marching bands, community groups, costumes, decorated bicycles and wagons, maypoles and an array of creatively designed, people-powered floats. An afternoon midway offers food, games and children’s activities, and an evening concert – traditionally sponsored by the Wentworth family – provides entertainment for the families of Mount Tabor and their guests. The weekend concludes with a non-denominational worship service Sunday morning.
MORRIS COUNTY — Numerous police officers throughout New Jersey received awards for exemplary duty and the sincere appreciation from representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving of New Jersey and The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. These awards were issued for performing above and beyond their call of duty to stop drunk drivers on New Jersey roads. The theme of the event was “Saving Lives by Preventing Crashes.” In addition to the individual awards given out, the audience also had the opportunity to hear speeches from victim advocates, who also praised the efforts by these officers. Numerous County Prosecutors, Police Executives and Chiefs, and Police Officers were in attendance from all 21 Counties.
The ceremony, held at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, honored 46 police officers from 30 different Morris County municipalities. Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp had the opportunity to address the audience concerning the achievements of the Morris County Law Enforcement community for their efforts to combat the continued problem of drunk and drugged driving.
Prosecutor Knapp said, “I applaud the efforts by these Morris County Police Officers who recognize the hazards that intoxicated drivers create on our roadways. They have individually turned this recognition into action with their diligence in enforcing the Driving While Intoxicated laws, thus making it safer for the motoring public, bicyclists and pedestrians alike.”
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA recently received a $5,000 gift from Investors Bank, a long-standing supporter of the Y, to help support the Y’s summer camp program.
Shown with some campers, from left to right, are Vik Joganow, CEO of the Y, and Brendan Gross, Branch Manager of Investors Bank, Roxbury Branch, and Omari S. Frazieer, Vice President, Senior Retail Market Manager, Livingston Branch. Vik Joganow adds, “The Y is extremely grateful for the Investors Bank contribution to the Y.
Their support allows local youngsters to take full advantage of summer camp at the Y regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is located at 300 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.
PARSIPPANY — Transwestern announced industry veteran Lisa Addeo has joined the firm’s New Jersey office as director of operations. As the Parsippany office continues its expansion, Addeo will oversee operations, finance and compliance activities, with a special focus on supporting the firm’s brokerage professionals. She will also pursue business development opportunities, and will manage client-service initiatives. Transwestern is located at 300 Kimball Drive, First Floor.
Lisa Addeo
“Lisa has a stellar background and an excellent reputation,” said James Postell, Transwestern partner and city leader. “Transwestern will benefit greatly from her extensive industry knowledge, and as we continue to expand, her energetic personality makes her an ideal fit for Transwestern’s entrepreneurial environment.”
With over 15 years of commercial and residential real estate experience, Addeo was formerly chief financial officer at a New Jersey-based development firm, where she oversaw all aspects of redevelopment projects, in addition to overseeing daily office and finance operations. Previously, she worked at Walsh Company, LLC, and later Avison Young, as vice president of finance and operations, managing budgeting, forecasting, payroll and human resources for the company’s New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey offices.
“The enthusiastic team and creative atmosphere that exists at Transwestern played huge roles in my decision to join the firm,” Addeo said. “There’s a unique culture at Transwestern, which is known for investing time in its employees and fostering growth. I’m extremely excited to join the team, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s future success.”
Transwestern was recently named the No. 2 “Best Place to Work” in New Jersey by NJBIZ and has landed a top spot on the list for four consecutive years.
Since opening its New Jersey office in 2011, Transwestern has quickly made its mark in the state’s commercial real estate market, leading the leasing, property and project/construction management for several significant projects, including the transformation of 300 Kimball Drive in Parsippany into a first-class, multi-tenant office facility. Transwestern’s team members are dedicated to serving their communities through charitable events such as those sponsored by Susan G. Komen, The American Heart Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the ALS Association.
Transwestern is a privately held real estate firm of collaborative entrepreneurs who deliver a higher level of personalized service – the Transwestern Experience. Specializing in Agency Leasing, Tenant Advisory, Capital Markets, Asset Services and Research, our fully integrated global enterprise adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types. We leverage market insights and operational expertise from members of the Transwestern family of companies specializing in development, real estate investment management and research. Based in Houston, Transwestern has 34 U.S. offices and assists clients through more than 180 offices in 37 countries as part of a strategic alliance with BNP Paribas Real Estate. Experience Extraordinary at transwestern.com and @Transwestern. For updates from the New Jersey office, follow @TranswesternNJ.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Come try out for one of the best teams in the state! The Lakeland Hills YMCA Swim Team (ages 6-18 years) competes in the Northern NJ YMCA Swim League as well as USA Swimming competitions.
The winter season begins in September and runs through February, March, or April, depending on the championship season-end meet for which a swimmer qualifies. With a long tradition of winning and sportsmanship, LHY has a coaching staff dedicated to the development of the all-around swimmer.
There are several dates available for swim team tryouts on Sundays, July 16, July 18, July 20, and July 23.
For complete information click here to view the swim team website at or contact the swim team office at (973) 334-2820 or keirac@lhymca.com.
Y membership is not required to try out. Parents must register children prior to tryouts.
The Lakeland Hills YMCA is located at 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Early Childhood Learning Center at the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA celebrated all of their amazing 50 graduates who will now move on to Kindergarten. Shown above are happy parents capturing memories of their child’s first school experience.
The center offers full and partial day pre-K programs for children 2½ to 5 years and membership is not required.
Financial assistance available. For additional information click here.
The Lakeland Hills YMCA is located at 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.
PARSIPPANY – “Click” your knitting needles together and help prevent infant abuse. The Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills (WCPTH) is helping to promote the goal of preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome by creating public awareness of the leading trigger for infant abuse which is the frustration with infant crying.
If parents and caregivers know what to expect from newborns, they can be better prepared to handle this Period of Purple Crying. Under the Click for Babies Campaign purple knitted or crocheted infant caps serve as a visual reminder, when caregivers see the purple cap; they remember what they learned about normal early, increased crying. The caps also help to remind caregivers to look at the educational materials they were given in the hospital.
Since the start of the 2016-2017 club year in September, club members have been busy making purple infant caps. To date, the club has made or collected over 100 purple infant caps. If you would like to donate knitted or crocheted caps, please email womansclubofpth@gmail.com. Or for patterns and additional information on the Period of Purple Crying,click here.
Organized in 1954, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is an active member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC), the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. NJSFWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, or click here to visit their website.
PARSIPPANY — For kids to believe in themselves, we need to believe in them first. Local kids at the Mount Tabor Arts summer camp are pouring their hearts into preparing ‘Seussical Jr.,’ a colorful and fun melting pot of the best of Dr. Seuss and the first youth performance of the newly launched Mount Tabor Arts Collaborative.
Give these kids the audience their hard work and zest for theater deserves by putting ‘Seussical Jr.’ on your calendar for Saturday night, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. in The Tabernacle, 26 Simpson Avenue, Mount Tabor.
It’s just $10.00 a ticket to show kids that their community is rooting for them – and to offer an inspiring, low-cost, pressure-free theater experience for your own children of all ages. Bring your neighbors, bring grandma, bring the baby — and bring the encouragement and applause that empowers and rewards youth who are giving their all to something them love.
Join in making Saturday Night’s performance one of the most fun nights of your summer — a celebration of music, dance, costume, painting, story and imagination.
Directed and Choreographed by:
Dawn Ward Lau Music Direction By: Sandi Zimmerman Cast includes: Horton: Vianne Bozza Cat in the Hat: Alison (Squeeze) Paterno JoJo: Rhaya Lau Gertrude: Maya Lau Mayzie: Juliana Johnston Mr. Mayor: Vincent Bozza Mrs. Mayor: Ava Cohen Sour Kanagaroo: Bella Bozza Wickershams: Levi and Soren Morici Bird Girl: Gracie Miller
RANDOLPH — Rita is a friendly puppy about eleven to thirteen weeks old. She was rescued along with her sister Roxy from Anguilla. Anguilla is a beautiful island, but life can be difficult for dogs. Fresh water is hard to find as well as food. Furever Home Dog Rescue heard about these siblings and we transported them to the US to live in foster homes.
Rita’s foster family says….”Rita is friendly, playful and sweet! Rita spends her days having fun playing with my dog, exploring outside and cuddling with my children. This easy going puppy loves to be with you! She is winning everyones heart!”
If interested in adopting Rita, please e-mail Furever Home Dog Rescue at FHDR@att.net and request an adoption application.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County will hold a public information session on July 27 in Morris Plains to unveil the design of a new main access road for the popular Central Park of Morris County.
The Morris Plains Community Center at 51 Jim Fear Drive is the venue for 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. session. Residents of Parsippany, Morris Plains, and Morris Township, who are most affected by traffic to and from the park, especially are invited to attend.
This new park access road would run from West Hanover Avenue at a signalized intersection on the Parsippany and Morris Township border to Central Avenue, which is the main road through the county park, near the Morris Plains border.
Freeholder Doug Cabana
“We know that the residents of Morris Plains have been seeking relief from traffic that cuts through their neighborhoods to get to what has quickly become a very popular and busy county park,’’ said Freeholder Doug Cabana. “We are working closely with the state and the towns of Parsippany, Morris Plains and Morris Township to ensure this project is properly designed and gets completed as quickly as possible.’’It should divert much of the park traffic for activities, such as soccer and lacrosse matches, cross-country races, inline skating, softball and a busy dog park, from residential roads in Morris Plains. In addition to installing new road signs directing park traffic to the new entrance, the county would work to update GPS data providers to have motorists directed to the new entrance.
The design, done by Boswell Engineering of South Hackensack, includes creation of a new signaled intersection on heavily traveled West Hanover Avenue. The new road has to skirt some existing wetlands and a still-operating sewage treatment plant for the nearby Greystone Park State Psychiatric Hospital as its cuts through to Central Avenue.
The county in 2015 allocated funds for the design and construction of the new road and the new intersection. At that time, it was expected the final design would be ready in the early summer of 2017, with construction to begin in the fall of this year.
Before they could move on the locally anticipated project, the Freeholder Board had to get a deed of easement from the state, to give the county access to the state-owned property needed for the new park entrance. That easement required approval of both the State House Commission and the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority.
Morris County built Central Park on the former Greystone Park State Psychiatric Hospital campus tract that was acquired from the state in 2001.
Under terms of the management and use agreement, the state would deliver the property to the county in suitable condition for passive public outdoor recreation, such as walking, hiking, picnicking, nature watching, or for conservation purposes. The county could add active recreation uses in the future.
Dog park at Central Park of Morris County
While the park has been a great recreational success for the county, that same success has caused residents in adjacent residential neighborhoods in Morris Plains to become concerned about the increased levels of traffic through their community headed to and from Central Avenue, despite signs that direct traffic around those neighborhoods.
For more information on Central Park of Morris County, click here.
NEW JERSEY — Rutherford based Marathon Enterprises is voluntarily recalling approximately 7,196,084 pounds of hot dog products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically bone fragments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.
The beef and pork hot dog and sausage items were produced on various dates between March 17, 2017 and July 4, 2017. A number of products are subject to recall. [View Labels (PDF only)]
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 8864” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail and institutional locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered through FSIS’ Consumer Compliant Monitoring System (CCMS) on July 10, 2017. Complaints stated that extraneous material, specifically pieces of bone, were found within the product.
There has been one reported minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify theircustomers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website by clicking here.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact John Terminello, Consumer Relations, at 1-800-SABRETT Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Media with questions about the recall can contact Boyd Adelman, President, at 1-800-SABRETT Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
PARSIPPANY – NAI James E. Hanson, a leading New Jersey-based full-service independent commercial real estate firm, has brokered a lease for 3,337 square feet of Class-A office space to Huron Valley Financial at Boulevard Commons Office Center located at 1160 Parsippany Boulevard. NAI Hanson’s Josh Levering, SIOR, and Nicholas B. DePaolera represented the landlord, Micro Strategies in the transaction. Boulevard Commons is also currently managed by NAI Hanson Management.
Huron Valley Financial is a Michigan-based mortgage banker specializing in a wide range of loan programs and products. They will utilize the space as a front office for the production and administration of loans and loan documentation.
“Boulevard Commons Office Center was recently acquired by Micro Strategies and is currently undergoing extensive renovations including upgrades to the lobby, bathrooms, common areas and all mechanicals, “said Levering. “We have overseen the building for a couple of years and are very happy to announce we are now at 100% occupancy”.
“Huron Valley Financial was seeking a space that offered them a quick move-in with limited build-out needed to operate their business,” said DePaolera. “1160 met Huron’s requirements perfectly and allowed them to quickly occupy an office with minimal build-out. With the landlord’s assistance, we were able to negotiate a lease to secure this tenant and maintain a high-quality tenant mix within the complex.”
“A focus of the NAI Hanson Management division is delivering a superior and seamless tenant experience at each building we manage,” said Ivette Correa, Chief Operating Officer of NAI Hanson Management. “Through offering each tenant the same high-quality experience regardless of how much space they are leasing, we can build and maintain relationships that enable us to retain tenants and keep vacancy rates low. This lease is emblematic of the success of our focus and a continued testament to the value in hiring the right property manager.”
NAI James E. Hanson’s Property Management Group manages over 6.4 million square feet of space throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Rockland and Orange Counties in New York. To learn more about our property management services, please visit our website or contact, Ivette Correa at 201-488-5800 x157.
Since 1955, NAI James E. Hanson has been a leading independent full-service brokerage commercial real estate and property management firm serving a diverse client list. NAI Hanson offers its clients strategic solutions and provides comprehensive value-added services such as office, industrial and retail brokerage, investment sales, land sales, management, government services and financing expertise.
NAI Hanson is also one of the original members of NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 400 offices spanning the globe. For more information on NAI James E. Hanson, contact William C. Hanson, SIOR, at the company’s Hackensack office at 201-488-5800 or click here.
Due to the numerous cars stolen or broken into over the last few months here are few simple tips to combat these thefts.
Do not keep spare keys inside your vehicle. Almost every motor vehicle theft committed this year, the suspect had the key.
Lock your vehicle. Thieves go through neighborhoods and parking lots pulling on handles of vehicles to find unlocked doors. Why you ask? The car alarm usually won’t sound and they do not have to smash a window to get into your vehicle. If the vehicle is locked, most of the time they will bypass your vehicle unless you do not follow #3.
Any valuables should be removed from the car during the night or hidden out of sight. To further that, do not leave purses,bags or valuables sitting on the seat of your vehicle when you go into work, a store, or the gym. Criminals will shatter your window and take these items.
To report a crime, call Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department at (973) 263-4300.
MORRIS COUNTY — Enjoy an activity-filled overnight event on Friday, August 4 at Sunrise Lake in Lewis Morris Park in Morris Township that’s perfect for families.
While Campout on the Beach begins at 7:00 p.m, you can arrive at 4:00 p.m. for free beach admission and swimming.
For an additional fee, you can run, jump, splash and have a blast on the Wibit, an inflatable obstacle course, and explore the scenic lake by renting a paddle or row boat.
Bring your own delicious picnic dinner to eat beachside. As the sun sets, relax and gather around a roaring campfire to listen to stories while making scrumptious s’mores, and playing games. S’more making kits and breakfast will be provided. $45.00 per tent site. Preregistration is required.
For more information, or to register call (973) 326-7616 or email recreation@morrisparks.net.
The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,927 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy.
PARSIPPANY — Phillip Donald Schmitt is one of 606 seniors to earn their degree from Grove City College on Saturday, May 20. Schmitt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He was a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Class of 2013.
Grove City College is a highly ranked, nationally recognized private liberal arts and sciences college that equips students to pursue their unique callings through an academically excellent and Christ-centered learning and living experience distinguished by a commitment to affordability and promotion of the Christian worldview, the foundations of a free society and the love of neighbor.
Established in 1876, the College is a pioneer in independent private education and accepts no federal funds. It offers students degrees in 60 majors on a picturesque 180-acre campus north of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Grove City College is routinely ranked as one of the country’s top colleges by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and others based on academic quality and superior outcomes.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County had its top-ranked Triple-A bond rating reaffirmed and it’s financial stability again ranked as better than the federal government, with a strong and stable financial outlook issued this month by Moody’s Investors Services and Standard Poor’s, the nation’s two largest bond rating agencies.
The Triple-A rating, awarded to the county for the 42nd consecutive year, allows the county to take advantage of optimum interest and financing rates, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
Morris County will be able to almost immediately reap the benefits and savings of the Triple A rating when it issues $34.9 million of bonds for construction and equipment purchases at the County College of Morris, Morris County School of Technology, Central Park of Morris County, and for various road and bridge projects.
The county’s Triple A rating for this $34.9 million bond sale will cost Morris County taxpayers about $930,000 less in interest than a county with a Single A rating and roughly $$325,000 less than a county with a Double A rating.
Freeholder Christine Myers
“This is great news again for Morris County taxpayers because it allows us to get the best rates on the refinancing of general obligation bonds, saving our county a lot of money each year,’’ said Freeholder Christine Myers, chair of the Freeholder Board’s Budget Subcommittee.
“Even though the county has a Triple A history that dates to the 1970s, no one should take this top rating for granted. This is still big news and a real plus for our county,’’ Myers added.
Moody’s touted the county’s history of conservative budgeting, mixed with initiatives designed to improve the financial position of the county, as reasons for the top ranking. It also anticipates that the county’s tax base and finances will remain stable for the foreseeable future.
“The highest quality Triple A rating reflects the county’s substantial tax base, strong and diverse economy, well managed financial operations, healthy reserve levels, and modest debt burden,’’ Moody’s said in its report.
Standard & Poor’s, in its summary, said the county has a very strong economy, with strong budgetary performance, very strong budget flexibility very strong liquidity, and strong management.
“Morris County general obligation bonds are eligible to be rated above the sovereign (federal government) because we believe the county can maintain better credit characteristics than the U.S. in a stress scenario,’’ said Standard & Poor’s.
Read the Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s by clicking here.
Morris County has had a Triple-A rating since 1975. It was the first county government in New Jersey to obtain the prestigious rating and is only the 11th in the nation to achieve it.
The 2017 renewed Triple A ratings were made after a county finance team, comprised of three Freeholders, the County Administrator, Assistant County Administrator, County Treasurer, County Auditor, County Bond Counsel and County Financial Advisor, made presentations to the ratings agencies last month at the Morris County Public Safety Academy.
Freeholder Director Katheryn A. DeFillippo
“It is extraordinarily difficult to achieve a Triple A rating,’’ said Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, a member of the Freeholders’ Budget Subcommittee. “The bond rating agencies are, in effect, signaling that our government and financial practices are exceptional and that our taxpayers are well protected.’’
“We are proud to continue a longstanding tradition of responsible government here in Morris County which provides effective services and programs to our county residents while being prudent about our spending and debt practices,’’ said Freeholder Deborah Smith, also a member of the Budget Subcommittee.
“I would like to acknowledge County Administrator John Bonanni and County Finance Director Joe Kovalcik for their excellent leadership, prudent approach to financial risk, and disciplined budgeting process, which facilitated the attainment of the Triple A bond rating,’’ she added.
A Triple A bond rating, in effect, means the county has exceptional credit worthiness because the county can easily meet its financial commitments. The county can get the lowest interest rates when borrowing because a Triple A rated government entity is viewed in the financial world of having the smallest risk of defaulting on its debt.
That equates to lower borrowing costs, which allows for lower costs to finance capital projects.
PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, May 14, 2017, the two Parsippany residents graduated from Emerson College in Boston.
Caroline Giercyk of Lake Hiawatha received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing for Film and TV and Ryan Barnhart of Parsippany received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing, Literature & Publishing. Both graduates are a 2013 graduate of Parsippany High School.
During the College’s 137th commencement ceremony, approximately 975 bachelor’s degrees were conferred during the undergraduate exercises and nearly 270 master’s degrees were conferred during the graduate exercises.
Bestselling novelist and TV writer Dennis Lehane received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and delievered the undergraduate commencement address. Associate Professor Emeritus John Dennis Anderson, who retired last summer after teaching in Emerson’s Communication Studies Department for 27 years, gave the graduate address. Also awarded with honorary degrees were civil rights advocate Anita Hill, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, and 2016 MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” winner and poet Claudia Rankine.
Emerson College is based in Boston, Massachusetts, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theatre District, Emerson College educates individuals who will solve problems and change the world through engaged leadership in the liberal arts, communication, and the arts.
The College has approximately 3,500 undergraduates and 670 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a renowned faculty, students participate in more than 90 student organizations and performance groups.
Emerson is known for its experiential learning programs at Emerson Los Angeles, located in Hollywood, and at its beautifully restored 14th-century castle in the Netherlands.
The College has an active network of 37,000 alumni. For more information, visit emerson.edu.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Rutgers Master Gardener program of Morris County is now accepting applications for its next class, which begins in September of 2017.
Any Morris County resident with an interest in gardening and a commitment to volunteer service – from Parsippany to Long Hill to Jefferson Township — can become a Rutgers Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station through the Morris County Cooperative Extension Service in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information to the public.
Volunteers learn to diagnose common plant and pest problems, suggest appropriate cultural practices and advise as to the best care for the home landscape and garden. Once trained, they can provide assistance with home gardening questions to residents of Morris County.
They handle only “non-commercial” community gardening questions.
For more information about the program click here. For an application or questions about the program, please contact Dave Los at (973) 285- 8307 or e-mail dlos@co.morris.nj.us.
Morris County residents seeking gardening assistance can call the Master Gardener service at (973) 285-8305.
To get the most accurate diagnosis there are a few simple questions you should to be prepared to answer before you call.
Plant Problems:
What is the reason you need a diagnosis?
If known, what is name of the plant; if not known what type (tree, shrub, perennial)?
Does the plant produce flowers or fruit?
Where is the plant located? Is location sunny or shady, wet or dry?
How long has plant been in its current location?
What chemicals or fertilizers have been used? Is mulch used?
Inspect entire plant for symptoms, problems can be more complex then they first appear
When did symptoms first appear?
Insect Pests:
Are pests just a nuisance or are they causing harm to people or property?
Where is highest concentration of pests?
When did pest first appear?
Describe pest (size, wings, number of legs, color, etc.)
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