PARSIPPANY — Get your bear here! Harvey Rosenblatt, CEO at P3 Properties, owners of Morris Corporate Center III, 300 Interpace Parkway, is proud to show off the bear roaming the sidewalks of the premises.
Jack Schwartz, Insurance Counsel and Risk Management Consultant said “Brings a whole new perspective to an animal exclusion in a liability insurance policy!”
Mike Hiler said “I remember that bear. He would visit Building A dumpster Alot when I was a tenant at that location. Guess he is still around and made it through the pandemic.”
“We’ll take any activity in Parsippany!! I’ll do that tour, looks like a tough customer!” said Charles Parmelli.
Shua Snitzer said, “Do you have wild animal insurance?”
Chaim Orzel said, “Does he have to sign in by the visitor desk?”
“My neighbors will throw a fit if I adopt him,” commented Dmitry Polonsky.
“One way to deal with a lousy tenant,” said Moshe Czapnik.
PARSIPPANY — Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has an Agenda Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 9.
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.
Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the American 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.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano and members of the Township Council will dedicate a Plaque to the Late Councilman Vincent Ferrara on Tuesday, November 9.
The dedication ceremony will take place at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, during Tuesday’s Council Meeting which begins at 7:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Rafael Flores, the former operator of the Catering Facilities at Knoll County Club, filed a “Notice of Tort Claim to Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills” on October 28, 2021.
Morristown Attorney Roy Kurnos, from the Belsole and Kurnos, notified the Township Clerk on October 28, a “Notice of Tort Claim to Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.”
In a brief statement, Flores submitted what would have been the winning bid for the operation of the Knoll Country Club. However, the Township did not award the bid to Flores, as required by law, due to illegal and improper interference by the Township’s employees, agents, and others, including Mayor Michael Soriano as well as the Knoll Country Club General Manager, Kevin Brancato.
The claimant is claiming damages including economic damages as a result of being deprived of the winning bid. The exact amount of the damages are unknown. There is no personal injury claim.
Before any litigation begins a potential plaintiff must comply with the statutory requirements of notice to the state and local government regarding the claim. A Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident or the claimant loses their right to bring a lawsuit. The claimant must provide the public entities and employees with notice of the name and address of the claimant, date, place, and circumstances of the occurrence or transaction giving rise to the claim asserted, a general description of the injury, damage or loss incurred, the name of the public entities or employees causing the injury, damage or loss and the amount of damages claimed.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany will hold an in-person ceremony this Veterans Day at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in Veterans Park. The event will also be broadcast and live-streamed.
The ceremony will feature speeches from various civic and spiritual leaders, musical performances from Parsippany residents and students, and a cannon salute. The township encourages attendees to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
“Since our nation’s founding, we have turned to the brave people of our military to protect us from the world’s most dire circumstances,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “Veterans Day is our annual celebration of their valor, courage, and sacrifice. It is with those thoughts in mind that the Township of Parsippany Troy-Hills will say thank you to our veterans. I ask everyone in our township to join us.”
The ceremony will also be broadcast virtually, live-streamed on Facebook Live, broadcast on Video On The Go Channel 21, and available on-demand through Video On The Go’s YouTube page.
Call Mike Sifonios at (973) 828-3125 for more information.
MORRIS COUNTY — Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio requiring student ID cards to include a telephone number for a suicide prevention hotline was signed into law by Governor Murphy.
“I am pleased that the Governor signed this bill into law today. There has been an extremely alarming rise in depression and suicide among students of all ages,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The availability of professional help during times of distress can mean the difference between life and death. Doing something simple yet important, such as printing the hotline number on every student ID, will help stem this tragic epidemic and give young people access to the mental health resources and support they need.”
The legislation, S-550 requires public schools that include grades seven through twelve, and higher education institutions, such as colleges and universities, to print the telephone number for a suicide prevention hotline on the back of every student ID card.
According to a September 2020 report released by the CDC, the rate of suicide among individuals aged 10 to 24 in the United States increased nearly 60% between 2007 and 2018.
Individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress as well as best practices for professionals.
MORRIS COUNTY — Help is available to help you pay your utility bills.
New Jersey’s grace period on utility shut-offs expires at the end of 2021. If you’re behind on your utility bills, your service may be disconnected after December 31.
Many households are newly eligible for financial assistance programs, including utility debt forgiveness and home energy assistance. You can apply for help now using the DCAid screening tool from the NJ Department of Community Affairs. (Click here for details)
If you’re behind on your utility bills, contact your utility as soon as possible to enroll in a Deferred Payment Agreement to lower your monthly payment and keep your service on.
Click here to learn more about utility assistance from the NJ Board of Public Utilities.
PARSIPPANY — Immunization Clinic for Dogs and Cats will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Office of Emergency building, at the Recycling Center, 1 Pumphouse Road.
Dogs and Cats
No charge for dogs and cats (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Dogs must be restrained on a leash and accompanied by an adult
Cats must be restrained in carriers or similar carrying devices
Any questions please call the health department at (973) 263-7160.
EAST HANOVER — One would think that after just getting back from a trip to Kansas City that I would have had enough barbeque for a while. But let us not confuse Kansas City or any American ‘low and slow’ style with traditional Portuguese barbeque.
Portugalo Barbeque, (Authentic Wood Fired Portuguese Grille), is located at 3 Ronald Drive, East Hanover. (973) 577-2000.
The fact is, there are various global styles of BBQ, and each is unique in its own way. When I asked Portuguese Master Chef Tony Abilio about this he stated, “Portuguese BBQ, also known as a Churrascaria, certainly differs from American BBQ, all our meat is seasoned with a traditional, savory Piri-Piri marinade, consisting of African Bird’s eye Chili, garlic and spices; there is no sugar added. Throughout the several regions of Portugal, they all have their own unique coveted recipe, but most, if not all must include the Piri-Piri pepper. The meat is roasted over hardwood charcoal, and during the cooking process it is lathered with the Piri-Piri sauce, giving it a unique light smoke flavor and spicy tang.”
Kevin Hernandez, Patrick Minutillo and Tony Abilio
Portugalo Barbeque, which opened in October 2020 under new owner, Kevin Hernandez, and is located on a side street directly off Ridgedale Avenue in East Hanover on Ronald Drive (look for the colorful six-foot rooster outside). Chef Kevin came to the U.S.A. in 2008 and decided to pursue his love of cooking. He found work in several area restaurants in Morristown and East Hanover, honing his skills and developing his talent, finally as a kitchen manager at Rezza Trattoria e Pizza Romana in Roseland prior to opening up Portugalo BBQ, his first venture. An exceptionally talented cook, intelligent, and amiable young man, I have no doubt of his continued success.
Although a small venue, the restaurant is cozy, comfortable, casual, and sparkling clean. It exudes a friendly, family-style vibe inside, and even though it is small, it is nicely lighted and decorated. Take note, there are only three or four tables available for inside dining, along with some counter-style seating. There is plenty of comfortable seating outside with a protected overhang, and I understand they will have patio heaters in the cooler weather for those so inclined to dine outdoors. During my visit, I did eat al fresco because of the size of my group, and it was genuinely nice, beautifully decorated, and comfortable. The owner and staff are all very friendly, prompt, attentive, accommodating, and readily available to assist you with any needs or questions you may have. It did appear during my visit that Portugalo does do a vibrant take-out business. And Portugalo Barbeque is a BYOB, so I did bring along my favorite Portuguese vino.
Portuguese Sausage, Shrimp in a Garlic Sauce
As I said earlier, I went with a large group during this visit and the staff clearly went above and beyond preparing and ensuring us an excellent overall dining experience. The outside tables were nicely appointed and arranged to ensure everyone’s comfort. After we were all greeted and welcomed to the restaurant by the owner the banquet we were about to experience began.
Portugalo Barbeque, (Authentic Wood Fired Portuguese Grille), is located at 3 Ronald Drive, East Hanover. (973) 577-2000.
We started with the appetizers; Portuguese Chouriço Sausage Buns right out of the oven; homemade sourdough bread, soft, chewy, and delicious, followed by Caldo Verde, an iconic traditional, hearty, and famous Portuguese soup. The soup is green in color and made with a particular dark green cabbage that is not widely available beyond Portugal’s borders. Ours was prepared using collard greens. (Some restaurants use Kale). Full of wonderful aromas and flavors from the combination of potato puree, slices of chouriço sausage, and Portuguese olive oil, completed this delicious and hearty soup.
Next to reach our table was that Portuguese/Spanish classic, perfectly prepared Chorizo and Shrimp and Garlic. The aromas themselves put your taste buds into high gear. That salty, smoky, slightly sweet flavor of the chorizo perfectly accompanied the divine flavor combination of olive oil, lemon, and garlic, all of which added to the vibrant taste of the shrimp, and which married perfectly with the savory chorizo. Always one of my favorite appetizers when dining out in a Portuguese/Spanish restaurant.
Serradura
Portugalo Picadinho was the next to arrive. The combination of pork and shrimp served in a savory, yet slightly spicy sauce was a taste treat and was outstanding with right out of the oven-baked crusty Portuguese Grandma Rolls (Trinchado). Amazing flavors are incorporated into this dish. Also on the table by this time were sides of Spanish Potato Chips (thinly sliced potatoes, slow-cooked at a low temperature in extra virgin olive oil with an amazing crunch) and French fries.
As we were enjoying our appetizers, wine, and conversation, our entrees, which included barbequed chicken and ribs, were being prepared on Portugalo’s authentic wood-fired grille. Servings were paced perfectly, allowing everyone the opportunity to fully enjoy each serving before moving on to the next. The portion sizes were generous, and after finishing the appetizers it was hard to imagine that the entrees were still to come.
Someone from the table referred to the Portuguese Barbequed Ribs as heaven on the bone. These savory treats were expertly cooked and seasoned, fall off the bone, fresh, soft, moist, juicy, and flavorful. It was a hard choice between the beautiful ribs and the Portuguese Barbequed Chicken. The seasonings and marinades used to prepare both these entrees were masterful. I had to do the right thing, so I decided to take a serving of both. In the end, it came out a tie as to which one was better. Of course, what would these great dishes be without the accompanying side dishes of rice, beans, and potatoes, and there were ample amounts of everything.
Dessert was no slouch either. Several Pão de Ló, Portuguese Sponge cakes appeared, still warm from the oven, along with Serradura; whipped sweet cream layered with crumbled Portuguese cookies. I had never had this before, but I would never turn it down if offered again. Decadently delicious, and went great with espresso, with a dash of Cuarenta y Tres, to wash it all down.
So, when you are in the mood for some Portuguese cuisine, give yourself a treat, and give Portugalo Barbeque a try. Obviously, I would recommend it. As someone who often finds myself traveling to Ironbound for a Portuguese/Spanish dinner, I can now satisfy that urge with a short visit to East Hanover. Obrigado to our hosts, Kevin and Tony, and the staff at Portugalo for the tremendous hospitality.
Just as an end note Portugalo Barbeque does offer a limited but inviting menu which includes various Portuguese traditional favorites, and if pre-ordered they can prepare other special orders, including “Leitao”, a slow-roasted whole pig.
Interesting fact: Portugal Is the Oldest Country in Europe.
Delivery, Take-Out, Inside Dining, Outside Dining, Free Parking, BYOB. Open 7 Days a Week.
Portugalo Barbeque, (Authentic Wood Fired Portuguese Grille), is located at 3 Ronald Drive, East Hanover. (973) 577-2000.
PARSIPPANY — Mayor Michael Soriano Conceded in the Parsippany Mayoral Race.
“I am proud of the work we started and thank everyone who came out and voted in this election. I have been honored to serve as your mayor for the past four years. I look forward to making this an easy transition and hope the next administration continues the improvements that have been made.
I am eternally grateful to Cori Herbig and Judy Hernandez who ran alongside me. I am proud of the campaign we ran and the work we did for Parsippany.”
PARSIPPANY — The results for the Parsippany Board of Education election results;
Three seats were up, each for a three-year term.
JudyMayer
6,408
SusyGolderer
6,187
Robert Quinn
4,684
SheethalAbraham
4,715
Jack Raia
3,161
Write-In
89
The Board of Education is made up of nine members who are elected by registered voters of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township. Members are elected to three-year terms. The Board President and Vice-President are elected by the majority vote of their fellow Board members.
Results don’t become official until Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi certifies them.
PARSIPPANY — There are both school board and township council contests in Parsippany this Election Day, and voters have four ways of submitting their ballots.
Those choosing to vote by machine at their traditional polling sites can do so starting at 6:00 a.m. Polls close at 8:00 p.m.
Pictured above is Democratic Township Council Candidate Cori Herbig, with her two children at Lake Hiawatha Library where she placed her vote in today’s election.
Parsippany Focus will publish results as they become available.
Justin Musella has been a true friend to our community, and I truly believe that he is the right person to effect meaningful and productivity to our Township Council. Many residents told me that they were blessed to have been represented by Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson, two public servants who always put Parsippany before the whims of their party leadership, and from what they have seen of Justin, they see him following the positive example they have set.
I have not seen any candidate work as hard as he has, he not only knocking the doors and has literally been to almost every event in town. His leadership in the local branch of Kiwanis has been well received, with him sponsoring many new members and helping the organization grow quickly. He has shown that he understands the major issues affecting residents in Parsippany, namely the utility rate increases that could not have come at a worse time.
I would like to see Mr. Musella elected this November as he will not only continue to serve as loyal friends to our community but will serve each and every resident with respect. Musella has made it clear that he intends to push for serious change on the Township Council and ensure that it acts as a check on the power of the executive. In this, I give him the fullest endorsement possible and look forward to his election on November 2.
It appears that the global pandemic has had a profound impact on global charitable giving. In simple words, when the widespread COVID-19 forced everyone to restrain themselves within the four walls of the house, many businesses were forced to shut, and millions of people lost their jobs. This is what resulted in many organizations deciding to hold back their charitable giving. According to sources, the total charity given by the charitable organizations amounted to $410,02 billion back in 2017, which excludes many firms as they decided to stay discreet.
Giving charitable donations to organizations like Yad Ezra V’Shulmit is crucial because they instill a positive change in the lives of millions of people globally. Right now, many less privileged people are in need of charity, but the amount of such money pouring in has been little. Not to forget, charitable giving is also an investment for many firms to get maximum exposure in public. Because social media has a strong role, charitable organizations can easily give strong exposure to different businesses. Therefore, many firms are holding back their money and waiting for the right opportunity. While many wealthy individuals have personally assisted the less privileged people across the globe.
Therefore, it appears that the global pandemic hasn’t shifted the attention of the wealthy from helping everyone out. Especially as far as the most affluent Americans are concerned, they donated around 90% to prominent charitable causes. Nearly half of them decided to provide a donation in the light of the adversity that the global pandemic created. Despite the growing number of wealthy people donating to the less fortunate, there are reservations about the long-term growth of the nonprofit organizations that have always been in the front row to help people out.
Because the NGOs received funds from the wealthy in society, it is hard to say if they will survive till the end of this pandemic. Because COVID-19 is here to stay, it is crucial to embrace the importance of being generous towards the poor and needy of society. However, according to a recent search by many banks around the globe, there has been a sudden increase in the number of firms donating to people so that they can fulfill their basic needs. Out of all these numbers, around 90% are directed to local organizations, whereas 3.5% supported the communities part of the immediate charitable group. The sudden increase In the number of people paddling donations is good, but it is hard to say if the current grant will be enough for the needy people.
The impact of COVID 19 on several economies across the globe is profound, which is why many states have come forward to support it. However, as political unrest prevails in many countries across the globe, it is hard to say if every person will receive a fair share of this grant or not. Believe it or not, COVID 19 has caused a sudden increase in unemployment, whereas a lot of people have also applauded the incredible change that it has brought to the healthcare industry. When the coronavirus started to hit the world, not many people were concerned about their personal hygiene. Now, the healthcare industry itself has been taken to the next level, and the stakeholders are having a major moment right now. one thing is for sure that as long as this pandemic is going to last, the number of people and firms willing to donate might get less but eventually won’t come to zero. Therefore, it is important for every privileged person in the world to embrace the responsibility of helping others, even if it’s a small amount that has to be donated.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany’s Trunk or Treat featured a costume parade for kids, trunk decorating contests, and plenty of candy for all the trick-or-treaters who attended.
Parsippany’s Trunk-Or-Treat Extravaganza took place at the Onyx Equities Campus, 7 Sylvan Way, and 8 Campus Drive, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31.
Cars lined the parking lot with festively decorated “car trunks” to provide a fun place for children to come to trick-or-treat safely. Festivities also included a costume parade for kids, trunk decorating contests, and plenty of candy for all trick-or-treaters.
“We’ve been looking forward to putting this event on for months, and we can’t wait to celebrate the holiday with all our trick-or-treaters,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “Thanks to our continued partnership with Onyx and the support of our Municipal Alliance, we can put together an event that’s safe, spread out, and most importantly, exciting and fun for the whole family.”
Aysha Avalos found her UnicornParsippany Hills High School VikingsDetective Ted Anderson, Parsippany Police DepartmentParsippany-Troy Hills Public LibraryParsippany-Troy Hills Women’s ClubParsippany PALEzra AvalosMayor Michael Soriano, Aysha Avalos, Elise McGovern, Cori Herbig, and Judy HernandezAysha AvalosJudy MayerRealty ExecutivesKiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany
PARSIPPANY — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy visited Parsippany on Friday, October 29 to remind voters to get out and vote early.
As the governor hosted a small rally in a pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park, he was confronted by about a dozen loud protesters standing just outside.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, is also seeking re-election, said Democrats should respect differences of opinion. But he faulted the chanting and yelling protestors for not respecting the rights of others to speak.
It was obvious at the event, there were more Murphy Oliver signs, than there were attendees.
Murphy ended with a chant of “Four More Years, Four More Years.”
Governor Phil Murphy, Moms Demand Action and Mayor Michael SorianoFriendly protesters at the Rally
MORRIS COUNTY — In March of 2021, legislation was passed in New Jersey enacting in-person Early Voting. Eligible voters will now have the opportunity to vote in person on a machine during the established period of time prior to an election.
All registered voters in Morris County are eligible to vote early.
Based on state guidelines, there are seven locations throughout Morris County for early voting. Eligible Morris County residents can vote at any of the seven locations.
Early voting for the 2021 General Election will take place on Saturday, October 23 through Sunday, October 31. Hours are Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Early Voting Locations are located at Central Park of Morris County: 2 Executive Drive, Morris Plains; Denville, 1 Saint Mary’s Place; Hanover, 15 North Jefferson Road, Whippany; Madison, 28 Walnut Street, Madison; Morristown, 200 South Street; Mount Arlington, 18 North Glen Avenue; Mount Olive, 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano at an “Early Voting Location”Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano exiting the polling machineParsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano at the registration desk
PARSIPPANY — Hanover Township Sgt. Rob Carpenter arrested Mr. Arthur Willis, 59, Parsippany, for DWI, on Sunday, September 12.
Sgt. Carpenter responded to the Quick Check for a reported male slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle while sitting at the gas pumps.
Upon arrival, Sgt. Carpenter located the vehicle that was running and parked at the pumps. He approached the vehicle and spoke with the lone occupant, Mr. Willis, and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Subsequent field sobriety tests resulted in Mr. Willis being arrested and being issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI and reckless driving. He was released to a family member pending his court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — The Township’s Department of Public Works (DPW) has employment opportunities for permanent, full-time positions. DPW has union-represented, open positions in the following Divisions:
Sanitation and Recycling.
Street and Roads.
Parks and Forestry.
“An opportunity like this doesn’t come around very often,” said Fred Carr, Business Administrator. “These positions are union-represented, include full health benefits, and are eligible for New Jersey’s PERS pension, helping take care of employees after they retire.”
Employees are also provided paid vacation, sick leave, personal time along with 14 holidays. Medical, Dental, Prescription, and Vision are some of the benefits provided by the Township.
The Township encourages education and advancement and will assist employees with obtaining a CDL.
“This work is vitally important to the community,” said Jim Walsh, Director of DPW. “Residents and businesses in Parsippany rely on our services each and every day, and it’s our responsibility to meet their needs. Our employees are dedicated Civil Servants that work hard during all kinds of weather and certainly make a difference in our community.”
Interested applicants can contact the Township of Parsippany’s Department of Public Works or call Marge Woelk at (973) 263-7273, or email mwoelk@parsippany.net.
Dear Editor:
