MORRIS COUNTY — There is still time to register for the Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery! If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July, join the 5K Race or 2-mile Freedom Walk! Click here to sign up.

The race will be held in person on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the Central Park of Morris County. Participants will enjoy a great event with tech tees, chip timing, refreshments, awards, prizes, and family fun (with a free race and other activities for kids, too)! The race will be over before noon, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy other holiday festivities.

If you are more comfortable celebrating from home, or if the race is a bit too far away, we are also offering a virtual option over the course of the Fourth of July weekend where participants can run from anywhere in the world!

A big part of the work at the Mission is our addiction recovery Life Change Program for men. Each year around the Fourth of July, while we celebrate our country’s freedom, we also host this race to celebrate freedom from addiction. It is a powerful time for people to gather together to support the Mission and honor loved ones who have fought the battle against substance abuse.

If you are looking for a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend while also supporting the work of the Mission, come run with the Mission!

Click here to watch a recap of last year’s race to see the fun they have in store!

Established in 1889, the Market Street Mission is an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, substance abuse, hunger, and homelessness in northern and central New Jersey. As a private non-profit we rely on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide more than 110,000 meals and 30,000 nights of shelter per year across our three locations. For more information on our emergency services, free addiction recovery program, community counseling services, and thrift store please visit us at www.marketstreet.org.

MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, legislation that would help lower costs at the grocery store, reduce gas prices, strengthen food supply chains, and increase competition in the American meat industry.

“My number one priority in Congress is to bring down costs and make life more affordable for New Jersey families,” said Rep. Sherrill. “Right now, COVID-related inflation and disruptions in our supply chain, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are raising prices on the goods Americans buy and need every day. This bill targets key problems the oil and food industries are facing and addresses them head-on. We know Americans need relief from the effects of global inflation, and it’s our job to deliver. I urge the Senate to pass this critical legislation as quickly as possible.”

The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act would help lower prices at the pump by:
Expanding U.S. biofuels investments and giving consumers the choice to purchase fuels that are cheaper than standard gasoline;

Deploying additional storage and dispensing equipment to increase the availability of higher ethanol blends and other biofuels, which are more affordable and can reduce the price of a gallon of gas by 10 cents or more; and

Moving forward with the voluntary year-round sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol — known as E-15 or Unleaded 88.

• This legislation would also help lower the cost of groceries and strengthen support for America’s agriculture industry by:
• Increasing competition and combatting consolidation in the American meat industry;
• Reducing input costs for fertilizer and improving access to precision agriculture practices;
• Rebalancing the U.S. cattle market and leveling the playing field for small and medium-sized meat processors;
• Providing new assistance to specialty and row crop producers who undertake USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service practice standards; and
• Creating an Agricultural and Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response Task Force at USDA.

Beyond this bill, Rep. Sherrill has also worked on many efforts to address the current supply chain and inflation crises affecting NJ-11. She has co-sponsored legislation to strengthen the manufacturing supply chain and establish a Critical Supply Chains Commission and has called for legislative action to ease supply chain bottlenecks and urged the Department of Labor to prioritize training for truck drivers. Rep. Sherrill is a member of the Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force.

PARSIPPANY — The Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold an Agenda Meeting on Tuesday, June 14.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings.  All meetings will be held in the Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, Parsippany. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2022 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

• Mayor James R Barberio
• Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
• Councilman Frank Neglia
• Council President Michael J. dePierro
• Council Vice-President Loretta Gragnani
• Councilman Justin Musella

MORRIS COUNTY — A bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, clarifying disability retirement eligibility for members of the State Police cleared the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Thursday.

The bill (A1797) would allow State Police Retirement System members to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits if a work-related traumatic event triggered a preexisting, asymptomatic condition. Currently, members cannot claim to be totally and permanently disabled, either physically or mentally, under such circumstances.

“No one expects that an asymptomatic condition could result in a permanent disability, but trauma can make that happen,” Dancer (R-Ocean) said. “Our State Police members should not be blocked from receiving the appropriate benefits needed due to physical or mental trauma suffered in the line of duty.”

Members who were denied this form of retirement in the previous 10 years can reapply if they initially applied within five years of the event. Approved beneficiaries will receive two-thirds of their annual compensation at the time of that traumatic event. The bill stipulates that the triggering event must have occurred while the member was performing regular duties, and could not have been caused by the member.

“This legislation will ensure the troopers who need this accidental disability benefit have access to it,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “The families of those public servants should have peace of mind that they will be provided for in the face of unexpected health challenges that force them out of work.”

The bill unanimously passed both houses of the Legislature last session but was pocket vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy.