Anthony Coiro of Andover, Ray Farrell of Sparta, Michael Shadis of Hampton and Mario Rodriguez of Byram
were among the 130 golfers and supporters who attended the annual
United Way Chili Open Golf Classic on February 5. The golf event, which raised nearly $40,000, was focused on helping struggling area residents
MORRIS COUNTY — Held in any kind of weather, the family-friendly golf event and chili sampling raised nearly $40,000 to help ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and households in poverty — those struggling to afford the basics even before the pandemic hit.
Hosted by United Way of Northern New Jersey in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Branchville, Newton, and Wallkill Valley, the event also featured food from local restaurants, raffle prizes from local businesses and community members, and live music by Sussex County band R.E.NO.
The event was made possible in part by Name a Nine sponsors Franklin Mutual Insurance and Thorlabs and Habanero Sponsors ADP TotalSource, Edem Title Agency, Homebridge Financial Services, Lakeland Bank, navitend, Newton Medical Center Foundation, and Selective Insurance.
MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced on Valentine’s Day that her office collected over 3,250 Valentines distributed to health care providers across New Jersey’s 11th district, written by residents as a part of her “Valentines for Healthcare Heroes” program.
“After hearing from our healthcare providers about how challenging these recent months have continued to be, we wanted to make sure they knew how much NJ-11 appreciates their hard work to keep us safe,” said Rep. Sherrill. “We saw an outpouring of support for this program and I especially want to thank our students for the beautiful cards they made.”
“On behalf of the entire Atlantic Health System team, I want to thank Congresswoman Sherrill for not only bringing these heartwarming Valentine’s Day cards to our team members but for always being there to support us with whatever we need,” said Nikki Sumpter, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Atlantic Health System. “Throughout the pandemic, she has continually stood by our side and helped empower our team to continue providing the highest quality care to our patients and communities.”
“We greatly appreciate Congresswoman Sherrill’s ongoing advocacy efforts to support health care providers, as well as the community’s show of appreciation to providers who pour their hearts into caring for patients on Valentine’s Day and every day,” said Ashish Parikh, MD, Chief of Quality, Summit Health.
“Thank you to Representative Mikie Sherrill and all of the community members who made the thoughtful Valentine cards for our healthcare workers at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Your support and encouragement really touched our hearts,” said Richard L. Davis, President, and CEO, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.
“What a wonderful gesture from Congresswoman Sherril and the entire community to share their love and appreciation with our team! Every single card made us smile and will help energize us as we shift our focus back to more wellness and preventative care for our patients,” said Katherine Fowler, Executive Director of Vanguard Medical Group.
“We are grateful that the ongoing efforts of our amazing healthcare heroes are recognized and appreciated by the communities we serve. Our staff does this work every day out of a love for their patients and the community. We so appreciate the heartfelt sentiments shared with us,” said Eva Turbiner, President & Chief Executive Officer, Zufall Health.
“The Mountainside team sure felt the love this Valentine’s Day! The outpouring of gratitude rejuvenates us in our mission to care for our patients, community, and one another,” said Tim O’Brien, CEO, Mountainside Medical Center.
Rep. Sherrill’s “Valentines for Healthcare Heroes” program provided the community an opportunity to say thank you to our healthcare workers for their hard work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Valentines collected by Rep. Sherrill’s office was delivered to the following healthcare providers:
Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center
RWJBarnabas Health Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
MORRIS COUNTY — Congressional District 11 Candidate Paul DeGroot, Esq., held a cocktail reception at The Mansion in Mountain Lakes.
Paul DeGroot comes from a blue-collar family with conservative values. Born and raised in Passaic County to a firefighter dad and a homemaker mom, he went to public schools in Clifton, commuted to Montclair State College, and went on to graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in political science. While there, he joined the College Republicans and did a six-month internship on Capitol Hill for a local congressman.
DeGroot attended the Widener University School of Law in Delaware while earning his spurs as a businessman, working as a sports equipment distributor for two major sporting goods companies which helped pay for his tuition. He was awarded his JD in 1993. In 1996, DeGroot found his calling as a prosecutor for the State of New Jersey. “For 25 years, it was a beautiful career,” he states. “I developed the skills needed to debate, argue, persuade, and negotiate. I did close to a hundred trials and I resolved thousands of cases.” DeGroot ultimately was promoted to Chief Prosecutor for the Homicide, Narcotics, and Internal Affairs Corruption units.
Members of Passaic County Prosecutor’s OfficeLisa Chase LoBiondo and Montville Mayor Frank CooneyParsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella and Montville Mayor Frank CooneyFormer Passaic County Prosecutor Ronald Fava, Esq.
Here is Paul’s speech which he delivered to a room of supporters:
Good evening and thank you for coming. I appreciate your support and hope you like what you’re about to hear enough to talk me up to family, friends, and neighbors; because that’s one of the most important ways to get my message out.
One of the questions that I’ve been asked repeatedly is why do I want to run for Congress? To answer that question, you have to go back to my childhood and how I was raised.
I was raised in a blue-collar union household, firefighter father and a homemaker mother. I was born and raised in Passaic County and went to public schools.
I had a wonderful childhood with caring parents, but like all good parents there was discipline and THE RULES– do what mom and dad say, play fair, work hard, and CARE about others…. It could be small things like helping your neighbor paint her steps, helping your dad shovel snow, …or related to my career as a Prosecutor helping the victims of crime, helping bring justice…it might be in relation to a once in a lifetime event like helping deliver 9/11 Red Cross supplies to Ground Zero or even helping chase down a mugger in NYC and holding him for police. Then tonight I am reminded by a dear friend about a day in our youth when he was drowning and I was thankfully there to help. Ken, thank you for your support and for bringing me back to that day when all I cared about was getting to you in time.
Now America Needs Help, and I care enough to do something about it!
In one year’s, time under the Biden administration, we have seen:
Inflation goes through the roof.
China and Russia growing stronger militarily and economically.
Gas prices rising because of energy dependence.
Food costs skyrocketing.
Illegal immigration flooding our Southern Border.
Education that turns from the brilliance of our founding fathers and descends into an endless abyss of self-reflection, doubt, and division of children on their race.
Rising crime rates and Law Enforcement being murdered and made to be the villains instead of the heroes they are.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill is an enabler. She is the bartender that keeps on serving drinks to the alcoholic at the bar. She will keep signing off on all the failed decisions and policies of Biden until we stop her and tell her NO MORE.
On the campaign trail, a gentleman asked me “how much does a congressman make” I replied, “I don’t know”. He asked me “but you get a pension don’t you” again I replied, “I don’t know”. Astounded he asked “What, you never looked it up?” I replied, “NO because it’s not the reason I am running, I am running because I care.”
Too many times candidates run on what they are against …I am running on a platform of what I am for.
I am an American first policy. It’s the first question we should ask of all policies, is this what is good for America?
I am for getting the government off the backs of small businesses through deregulation. Having been and being a small business owner, I know that they are the engine that can fuel our economy if we just stop setting up unnecessary roadblocks. I care about the men and women who get up every morning, devoted to their small businesses.
I am for legal immigration, heck, I married it…or her as the case may be. lol My wife, Sharon, waited for two years to come to our county and when she did she became a citizen, put herself through college and entered the business world….a true success story However, I do forcefully oppose those who try to sneak in through the back door. I care about the millions of legal immigrants that help make up the backbone of America and play by the rules to do so.
I am for common sense energy independence. Energy independence allows us to control foreign policy, and lower prices at home, which in turn lower the price of all things that touch upon transportation. However, I will always look for protecting the environment that our children will grow in. Having camped across the county and seen almost 40 states I appreciate and love all the beauty that our national parks represent. I care about striking the right balance to ensure a bright future for our children…and theirs.
I am for the break up of big tech…these monopolies can not continue to exist in the way they do. They stifle free speech and competition. I care about ALL voices being heard and ALL entrepreneurs having a chance in this industry.
I will always look to cut pork-barrel small-minded projects. Once elected, I will care about the American wallet as if it was my own…and being of Dutch heritage, being frugal is cooked into my DNA.
I will urge our Congress to tackle the big picture of getting seniors hearing, vision, and dental care; not by spending more taxpayer money but by cutting wasteful spending on things like:
Funding Model UN competition I Afghanistan
Funding Research on Zebrafish on Nicotine
Buying statue of Bob Dylan for Embassy in Mozambique
Studying the connection between drinking alcohol and going to ER
Bring Servian cheese up to international standards
I kid you not, these are all items funded by Congress
I will demand that Veterans are treated with more respect and better medical care. I saw firsthand the troubles of eldercare as I assisted in placing my 90 year old uncle into assisted living and watched my father struggle to pay for long-term care when my mother had a stroke. I care about our senior citizens because I believe how we care for them shows who we are as a people.
As a 25-year career prosecutor who was chief of homicide, narcotics, and government corruption, I will always support the men and women of law enforcement. When streets are safe, communities thrive. Children go to school and people go to work. I represented the victims of crime and I know firsthand their feelings of helplessness and loss. Mikie Sherrill has never taken the 3:00 a.m. phone call regarding a tragic murder, worked a wiretap trying to stop a shipment of drugs, or prosecuted a government employee for stealing $345,000 from the very people they should be helping at the Board of Social Services. I have!
I am for a limited better government that HELPS its citizens care for their families, the elderly, and Veterans. Not the abuse of government by the liberal left. I’m crazy enough to believe that government should be a helping hand and not an open wallet.
Finally, as a husband to a beautiful wife Sharon who is also a working mom, we understand the challenges facing our children: our son, Alexander, four, and our daughter, Jordan, one. With a vested stake in CD11 where I live and in the country, I love, I want to make sure all children have the benefits and opportunities I had. I care enough to throw my experience, my knowledge, my very self into this race to ensure a better tomorrow.
I hope, with your help, that on November 8 we can together change the future of CD11 and write a new, wonderful tomorrow. I hope you’ll join me in my mission.
I am Paul DeGroot, your next congressman for CD 11.
MORRIS COUNTY — Continuing his momentum heading into the Morris County Republican Committee convention, key Republicans from four of the five largest municipalities among Republican primary voters in the County threw their backing behind Tayfun Selen for Congress. The list includes Mayors of two of the three largest municipalities – Rockaway Mayor Joe Jackson and Jefferson Mayor Eric Wilsusen – as well as Parsippany Councilman Paul Carifi and Republican Chair Lou Valori.
“Last year’s election shows the Democrats are facing real headwinds from the liberal Biden-Pelosi-Sherill agenda in Washington, and New Jersey voters are craving new leadership to provide affordability and get America back on track. Tayfun Selen is the best candidate for Republicans, with a proven conservative record and inspiring life story. I’m proud to support him,” said Parsippany Republican Chairman Lou Valori.
The announcement follows on last week’s major endorsements for Selen of four Republican Morris County Commissioners including Stephen Shaw, Deb Smith, John Krickus, and Kathy DeFillippo. The most recent reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission also show Selen currently leading the pack with the largest cash-on-hand.
“Tayfun’s stopped higher taxes four years in a row by bringing business-smarts to government. That’s what we need in Washington. Less talk, more action, to deliver greater affordability for New Jersey taxpayers,” said Jefferson Township Mayor Eric Wilsusen. “There is no better way to have Republican fighting to keep the American dream alive, than someone who has actually lived it. Democrats are scared of Republicans like Tayfun Selen.”
“I’m excited about the momentum we are creating to build this campaign from the ground-up, unite Republicans, and be in the strongest position to take on Pelosi’s local rubber-stamp in Mikie Sherrill,” added Selen, who serves as the Director of the Morris County Board of Commissioners. “I want to thank the Mayors, council members, and Republican Party officials who are standing with me in this effort. My agenda in Congress will be to stop higher taxes, reduce our debt, enhance strict border security, fight for our Veterans, and hold adversaries like China accountable. I’m looking forward to sharing more announcements in the coming days.”
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood announce the hiring of Michael J. McDonald as Assistant Prosecutor for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant Prosecutor McDonald was officially sworn in by Prosecutor Carroll at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on February 14, 2022.
Assistant Prosecutor McDonald will be assigned to the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit that serves to investigate and prosecute sex crime offenders and works to protect our children from exposure to criminal and predatory misconduct.
Assistant Prosecutor McDonald most recently served as a Deputy Attorney General for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and was assigned to the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. He formerly served as the First Assistant Prosecutor for the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office (WCPO) since 2012.
Previously, he also was employed as a trial attorney for a private law firm and as an Assistant Prosecutor at the WCPO from 1991 through 1998. He also served as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. John C. Stritehoff, Jr., J.S.C. in Warren County. AP McDonald is a certified instructor at the Office of the Attorney General Advocacy Institute.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts with a Business Major and Classics Minor from Gettysburg College, and a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University. Prosecutor Carroll said, “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is fortunate to have a prosecutor with such a wealth of experience joining our ranks.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Atlantic Health System appointed Eric Steinberger as Chief Marketing Officer.
Steinberger brings decades of leadership experience in the Finance, Media, and Retail industries, along with a deep skillset for understanding the consumer behavior behind the brand choice. As Chief Marketing Officer, he is focused on refining and implementing a comprehensive and modern strategic marketing plan. He will help Atlantic Health System connect with patients in new and easier ways, reduce barriers to access, and amplify the system’s brand position as a provider of the highest quality care combined with the best experience for patients, families, and caregivers.
“Health care is in the middle of an incredibly challenging and transformative time, but with that comes new opportunities to redefine the ways patients, as consumers of health care, learn about and engage with care providers,” said Steinberger. “I am excited to join an Atlantic Health System team that keeps the patient at the center of every decision, and I look forward to developing new and lasting ways to connect with the communities we serve.”
Steinberger joins Atlantic Health System after seven years with internationally known retailer Bed Bath & Beyond, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer. Along with overseeing the brand’s entire print and digital marketing, media, creative, content, and public relations operations, he also led efforts to cater specific products, services, and experiences to consumers based upon their unique stage in life (college, wedding, and baby to name a few). Prior to Bed Bath & Beyond, Eric was a Senior Partner at Rosetta, a marketing strategy consulting firm and digital agency, where he held various roles, including managing client relationships, and leading the marketing strategy consulting practice for the organization. He has also held previous leadership positions at global brands AOL, Inc. and American Express, where he successfully managed the Platinum and Centurion card portfolios among other roles
“Eric is a dynamic leader who can break through the noise to focus on what matters,” said Nikki Sumpter, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Atlantic Health System. “I look forward to working with him to increase awareness and engagement among current and prospective patients, referring physicians, and other key stakeholders in our community.”
Councilman Justin Musella, Frank Neglia, Paul Carifi, Jr.
Council President Michael dePierro and Vice President Loretta Gragnani
PARSIPPANY — Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold an Agenda Meeting on Tuesday, February 15.
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.
MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) led ten fellow Frontline Members of Congress in a letter this week to President Joe Biden urging the Administration to support and help negotiate a targeted relief package to assist small businesses currently suffering from the surge in Omicron-variant transmission.
Consumer demand for businesses centered on in-person gatherings, such as restaurants and live venues, has been greatly impacted by the current wave of Omicron cases while workforce shortages for these industries have been exacerbated as transmission and hospitalizations rise. At the same time, the essential small business relief programs available earlier in the pandemic are no longer in place, making it difficult for hard-hit businesses to make ends meet. Combined, the nation could see a new wave of business closures in the coming months without additional, targeted assistance.
“As we have met with small business owners and local elected officials over the past several months, we have heard unanimous concern about the impact of Omicron on the economic health of our communities,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter to President Biden. “To this end, we urge the Administration to immediately work with Congress to pass a targeted small business relief package that focuses on the industries most hard-hit by the Omicron surge.”
In addition to leading this letter, Rep. Sherrill for the past two years has been a strong advocate for enhanced assistance and relief for small businesses, the lifeblood of the nation’s economy and communities. She co-sponsored the original RESTAURANTS Act in July 2020, which was enacted through the American Rescue Plan as the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. She also led advocacy to expand funding for the RRF and co-sponsored a bill to replenish those funds for restaurants in need. In addition, she co-sponsored the Save Our Stages Act in September 2020, which was enacted through the December 2020 COVID-19 relief package, and co-sponsored legislation to provide an extension of this support to live venues. Finally, she also led outreach to extend the Employee Retention Tax Credit for hard-hit small businesses.
Republican Mayors across Morris County came out to support County Commissioner candidates Doug Cabana, Tom Mastrangelo, and Melissa Florance Lynch
MORRIS COUNTY — Members of the Morris County Committee and elected officials were attendees at a breakfast on Saturday, February 12 at Meadow Wood to support County Commissioner candidates Doug Cabana, Tom Mastrangelo, and Melissa Florance Lynch.
Master of Ceremonies was Mayor Bill Chegwidden. Chegwidden is Mayor Wharton.
Township of Parsippany Mayor Jamie Barberio addressed the attendees Tom Mastrangelo addressing the audience
Morris County Republican County Commissioner candidates Doug Cabana, Tom Mastrangelo, and Melissa Florance Lynch, running together as Team Morris 2022, have the endorsements of Republican Mayors across Morris County from the following municipalities:
Boonton Township Mayor Paul Allieri
Township of Montville Mayor Frank Cooney
Borough of Butler Mayor Ryan Martinez
Borough of Mt. Arlington Mayor Mike Stanzillis
Town of Denville Mayor Tom Andes Mayor
Township of Mount Olive Rob Greenbaum
Florham Park Mayor Mark Taylor
Borough of Netcong Mayor Joe Nametko
Town of Hanover John Ferramosca
Township of Parsippany Mayor Jamie Barberio
Township of Jefferson Mayor Eric Wilsusen
Township of Pequannock Mayor Kyle Rrussell
Borough of Kinnelon Mayor Jim Freda
Borough of Riverdale Mayor Paul Carelli
Borough of Lincoln Park Mayor David Runfeldt
Borough of Rockaway Mayor Tom Mulligan
Township of Long Hill Mayor Guy Piserchia
Township of Roxbury Mayor Bob DeFillippo
Borough of Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano – Glassner
Borough of Wharton Mayor Bill Chegwidden
Township of Mine Hill Mayor Sam Morris
Commissioner Cabana stated that “My running mates and I are humbled by the overwhelming support from the coalition of Morris County Republican Mayors.”
Commissioner Mastrangelo added, “Morris County Republican Mayors are a big part of the governing formula which makes Morris County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Commissioner candidate Mayor Melissa Florance -Lynch stated “I am so appreciative to earn this support from my fellow Morris County Mayors.”
Common Sense Fiscal Republicans with proven records of accomplishment, Cabana, Mastrangelo, and Florance- Lynch, have supported the delivery of responsible budgets including five ZERO % tax increases and the reduction of the county debt by tens of millions of dollars while continuing to deliver responsive and quality services to all the residents of Morris County.
Morris County has been rated as one of the best-run counties in the United States by two leading financial rating services. With the county government creating an environment that promotes growth and new jobs, Morris County continues to see growth in business opportunities and employment possibilities.
Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling and Candidate Melissa Florance-LynchLisa Chase LoBiondo with Heather DarlingMorris County Commissioner Candidate Melissa Florance-Lynch and CD11 Candidate Paul DeGroot
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Councilman Justin Musella, Morris County Commissioner Candidate Melissa Florance Lynch; Morris County Commissioner Doug Cabana, Morris County Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo and Boonton Town Council Member Joe Bock
PARSIPPANY — Newly elected Councilman Justin Musella held his first annual “Valentine’s Day Celebration” fundraiser on Thursday, February 10 at Bruno’s Italian Bistro.
The event was sold out with standing room only showing the support for Justin. Justin was the highest voter getter in the November 2021 general election.
Musella joins Mayor James Barberio, Council President Michael de Pierro, Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani, and Councilmen Paul Carifi, Jr., and Frank Neglia.
Morris County Commissioner Candidate Melissa Florance Lynch, Musella and Boonton Town Council Member Joe BockJustin Musella “all smiles” at his first annual Valentine’s Day SpectacularCourtney Pirone and Justin MusellaJonathan Cohen, Esq, Musella, Assemblyman Christian Barranco, Morris County Commissioner Tayfun SelenCouncilman Justin Musella and Morris County Commissioner Tayfun SelenMorris County Commissioner Douglas Cabana and Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Attorney Michael LaveryCD-11 Candidate Paul DeGroot, Esq., and Daniel GrantMorris County Clerk Ann Grossi and Morris County Surrogate Heather DarlingDr. Louis Valori, Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Frank Neglia, and Jeff GoldererJonthan Cohen, Esq., Sarah Neibart, Nicolas Limanov, and Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen ShawRaj Dichpally, Bagu Pingle, Danny Desai, Casey Parikh, Dr. Bhagirath MahetaSridath Reddy, Madu Gadikota, Ram PatelCarl Burwell and Chris Church
MORRIS COUNTY — Cops murdered and attacked; rioting and looting running rampant in American cities, defunding police and revolving door justice. This is the legacy of Joe Biden and the Progressive Democrats such as Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ CD-11).
Their misguided approach to crime is to treat it as social justice issue, which forgives bad actors for their crimes because of their race, poor upbringing or lousy schooling. As a so-called former prosecutor, Mikie Sherrill should know better.
Millions upon millions of minorities and poor people go through life without committing crimes. But they are often the victims of crimes by the same people that the liberal Democrats are trying to protect.
Just last month (January 2022) an innocent honor roll student, Robert Cudra, was shot through the head on a Paterson street by a stray bullet as he was taking in groceries for his grandmother. (Click here)
The response from the left was a deafening silence. No NBA or NFL stars came forward to denounce the senseless killing or console the family. Nothing from our Democrat leaders.
Paterson is not some far-off country. It is a town that is only minutes away from where your family and mine live. Paterson is the city where I made my living as a county prosecutor for 25 years. I devoted each day to putting bad guys in jail.
I care about Robert and many thousands like him because I know this young man deserves a chance in life, a chance that he is not getting because progressive policies are hurting, not just the people who live in Paterson, but people in your community. Emboldened criminals are spreading out to the suburbs, stealing cars, breaking into houses, and flouting the law. Last year there were 350 reported burglaries in Morris County and 213 stolen cars in Parsippany. Recently police stopped a man walking down the street in Caldwell; he was carrying a loaded handgun with the serial number scratched off.
Confounded by the failure of their liberal policies such as bail reform, to keep people and property safe, the Democrats are floundering for answers. They keep coming up with the wrong ones.
Neither President Biden nor Congresswoman Sherrill can bring themselves to blame the people responsible. The criminals themselves. Sherrill has been silent on crime except to support The Justice in Policing Act of 2020: which was spearheaded by notorious and preachy liberal U.S. Sen. Cory Booker – the failed mayor of Newark. The Act does nothing to help police fight crime, but it does put a tremendous onus on police officers who are trying to fight crime. The Act makes police suspects from the start.
Recently our often-confused President took to the airwaves to share his thoughts on how to reduce violent crime in cities such as New York (452 murders in 2021) Philadelphia (562 murders) and Chicago (800 murders) where liberal officials have been engaging in crime-excusing and failing to prosecute criminals. The President’s approach is at best naive, at worst dangerous to Americans no matter where they live.
Like most liberals, Biden can’t bring himself to blame individuals for crime. Instead, he blames inanimate objects. It’s the guns that are a problem – not the people using them. The solution: get guns off the streets and shut down rogue gun makers?
As a career prosecutor, I’m not sure what the president means by rogue gun makers, where they are or what their role is in murder. Neither is he nor Rep. Sherrill, I bet.
Gun buy-back programs have been tried in cities small and large. They are mostly publicity stunts that garner a lot of old and forgotten weapons and a few photo-ops. Hardened criminals and gang members are NOT going to turn in their guns for a few dollars.
Besides, many serious crimes are committed with knives and bats. Recently a woman in the liberal bastion of Seattle was struck violently in the back of the head by a man wielding a baseball bat. Are bats the problem? (Click here)
Democrat politicians are slowly waking up to the idea that their soft-on-crime policies are unpopular everywhere. So, in New Jersey they have come up with a quick legislative solution: keep people who commit crimes with guns in jail before their trials. I’m sure the ACLU will have a problem with that.
The proposed Jersey legislation is another quick public relation hit. Why deny bail or set incredibly high bail limits only for people who use a gun to commit a crime. How about using the same logic – that these people are a danger to others — and applying it to all sorts of violent offenders. The liberal excuse-makers will never take it that far.
As a prosecutor who actually worked to punish criminals, I know that if there are no consequences for criminal activity, we get more crime – whether it is looting, burglary, or shootings.
The certainty of punishment reduces crime and takes bad actors off the streets. As your congressman, I will make sure America does not continue its drift into lawlessness. I can’t say the same for Rep. Sherrill.
This press release was submitted by Paul DeGroot. He served as a Passaic County Prosecutor for 25 years. He is now a lawyer in private proactive and lives in Montville, Morris County
The New CD- 11 Includes the following Municipalities from Morris, Essex, and Passaic Counties: Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange and West Caldwell in Essex County; Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township and Victory Gardens in Morris County; Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part) and Woodland Park in Passaic County.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker, and Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland announce that a jury has found Kyriakos Serghides, 41, of Rockaway Borough guilty of one Count of Second Degree Sexual Assault; one Count of Second Degree Attempted Kidnapping; one Count of Second Degree Luring; one Count of Second Degree Attempted Sexual Assault; and two Counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Serghides was acquitted of one Count of Third Degree Terroristic Threats; one Count of Third-Degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes; and one Count of Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
The charges arise from incidents that occurred in August and September of 2015 in Rockaway Township. On August 28, 2015, while at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, Serghides touched the private area of a five-year-old boy in the food court restroom within the Mall.
In addition, on September 10, 2015, Serghides lured another five-year-old boy and attempted to leave the Target Store in Rockaway Township with him. Serghides was arrested on September 11, 2015, on charges related to these incidents. The charges against Serghides were tried before a jury between January 31, 2022, and February 10, 2022. The Honorable Robert M. Hanna, J.S.C. presided over the trial, and the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Reema Sethi Kareer and Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline Marotta. The jury returned its verdict on February 10, 2022. Serghides is scheduled to be sentenced on March 25, 2022.
He remains in custody at this time. Prosecutor Carroll would like to acknowledge the Rockaway Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit for their efforts in this investigation and prosecution.
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.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, and Jefferson Township Chief of Police Paul Castimore announce that Kelvin Briggs, 64, formerly of Nevada, has been sentenced to 24 years in New Jersey State Prison.
On September 1, 2021, a Morris County jury returned a verdict finding Briggs guilty of multiple offenses including Endangering the Welfare of a Child (production of sexually explicit images and video of a child engaged in a sexual act), Sexual Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child (distribution of sexually explicit images of a child), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (engaging in sexually explicit conversations with a child), Invasion of Privacy, and Stalking. These incidents occurred over a period of time from August through November 2017 while the defendant was a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, and the victim, a 13-year-old female, was a resident of Jefferson Township.
On February 10, 2022, the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. imposed an aggregate sentence of 24 years in New Jersey State Prison. The first 16 years of the sentence are subject to the No Early Release Act, which makes the defendant ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of 16 years. The defendant will be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Megan’s Law and will also be on Parole Supervision for Life. Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation that led to the successful guilty verdict, including the Jefferson Township Police Department, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Sex Crimes and Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
PARSIPPANY — Frank B. Priore passed away Monday, February 7, 2022, at Morristown Medical Center. He was 73.
He was born in Passaic and grew up in Clifton. Frank moved to Parsippany in the early 1970s where he has lived since.
Frank was a self-employed photographer. He also proudly served as mayor of Parsippany from 1982 to 1994.
Survivors include his wife: Joyce De Spirito; his daughter: Jennifer Kilinowski and her husband Kurt; his brother: Barry; and his two Grandchildren: Annalisa and Isabella.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Liturgy of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12, at St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church 179 Baldwin Road, Parsippany.
Cremation: Private. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Par-Troy Funeral Home 95 Parsippany Road, Parsippany (973) 887-3235.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in his memory to New Jersey Sharing Network Foundation 691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974, or click here.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Application 19:21, Pacific Outdoor Advertising, 299 Littleton Road, Block: 395 Lots: 1 Zone: B-2, Preliminary, and Final Major Site Plan w/‘C’/‘D’ Variance to construct a billboard. This meeting is carried from December 15, 2021.
The applicant is seeking permission to construct a billboard adjacent to Route 80 consisting of a monopole and two display panels, one facing Route 80 Eastbound and one facing Route 80 Westbound. Each panel will be 14 feet high by 48 feet wide (672 square feet panel). The height to the top of the billboard will be 60 feet. The billboard meets all New Jersey State Department of Transportation (“NJDOT”) requirements, and an Outdoor Advertising Permit has been issued by the NJDOT.
The property is located at 299 Littleton Road, is designated as Block 395, Lot 1 on the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Tax Map, and is located in the B-2 Zoning District.
The applicant is seeking the following approvals, variances, and waivers: Use Variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(1) for the proposed use and two principal uses on the Property which is not permitted in the zone under the Zoning Ordinance; Variance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(6) for sign height of 60 feet where the Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum of 35 feet; Variance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(c) (1 & 2) to permit rear yard setback of 5 feet where a minimum of 30 feet is required.
PARSIPPANY — During these economic times, Parsippany Focus has decided to hold a contest to give away one year of advertising in Parsippany Focus Magazine.
Just complete the form below and submit it by March 31, 2022. The winner will be announced in Parsippany Focus.
“We greatly appreciate Congresswoman Sherrill’s ongoing advocacy efforts to support health care providers, as well as the community’s show of appreciation to providers who pour their hearts into caring for patients on Valentine’s Day and every day,” said Ashish Parikh, MD, Chief of Quality, Summit Health.
