MORRIS COUNTY — September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, and President of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association, Mount Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher report an increase in suicide rates this year in Morris County and remind residents that resources are available.
Suicide rates have continued to rise in the last three years. In 2019, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Section and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to 27 suicides. The statistic rose to 30 suicides in 2020 and the county has already responded to 36 suicides year to date this year.
Sheriff James M. Gannon said, “Suicides are up drastically in comparison to previous years. There’s a lot going on in the world. COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, isolation and hopelessness are affecting people. We have available services to Morris County residents through Hope One. No one should feel alone.”
Hope One travels four times a week to locations throughout Morris County, bringing services to persons in need. A Sheriff’s Officer, licensed mental health professional, and a certified peer recovery specialist staff the vehicle. They offer mental health services and help people access services and Narcan training. The stigma-free environment offers conversation and critical support through the Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris. Hope One has provided 61 mental health services this year and 236 to date from April 3, 2017.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Police Department announced “A man involved in a “suspicious” incident at a Parsippany school bus stop will not be charged. Authorities determined that no criminal offense occurred.
The driver, a male in his 60’s, traveled by a girl who was standing alone at her school bus stop in the Intervale area Tuesday morning. He turned around, stopped near her, called her “pretty” and then left, authorities said. (Click here to read the complete story)
Parsippany Police located the vehicle and the driver Wednesday morning. After questioning the man about the incident and his intent, authorities determined that no crime took place.
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, September 18, Mayor Michael Soriano, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso, Executive Board Member Frank Cahill was on hand to cut the ribbon celebrating the grand opening of Crunch Fitness.
Crunch Fitness is located at 790 Route 46, Arlington Shopping Center.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee presents Jennifer Vardaro, Manager, with a plaque welcoming Crunch to Parsippany
ShopRite Well Fitness was demonstrating products during the Grand OpeningTabitha Gessling, George Suppa, and Bonnie Gessling from Lake Hiawatha Swim ClubCrunch Fitness is located at 790 Route 46, Arlington Shopping CenterParsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee presented Crunch Fitness with a plaque welcoming them to Parsippany
At Crunch, there are no judgments. No “too much” or “not enough.” No glares of disapproval. Here, we keep open minds. Here, we’re nurturers, seeking only to encourage and empower. We know that when it comes to fitness, there’s no one type, no one reason, and no one way. We’re a diverse community working together to create a culture of fun where there’s room for everyone. We’re here because we’re excited to help you reach your goals, and we know that in our clean, open space complete with real weights, tons of cardio, group fitness classes, world-class personal trainers, and more, you’ll have no trouble doing just that.
PARSIPPANY — Republican Candidate for Governor Jack Ciattarelli will appear at a Town Hall Event on Sunday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, 100 Centertown Drive.
The event is free to attend, but RSVP is required. Text PARSIPPANY to 21776.
For questions or concerns, please contact Seven Szemple at (732) 259-8975 or email sszemple@jack4nj.com
PARSIPPANY — The Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department held a building dedication and “wet down” on Saturday, September 25 at its Tarn Drive and Route 53 location.
Mount Tabor Fire Commissioner Jeff Berry
They welcomed their new Engine 13, a 2021 E-One Typhoon Pumper.
Dunk Tank
The festivities began with the building dedication ceremony, hosted by the Board of FireCommissioners, followed by Live Music with DJ Josh Christie, delicious food by Chef’sCatering, beer and soda from High-GradeBeverage, 50/50, plastic mugs, ceramic mugs, and limited edition Wet down T-Shirts!
Saturday’s celebration brought out fun for all ages
The fire department moved May 5 into its new facility, which features more than twice the square footage of the former firehouse, a place to keep Parsippany-Troy Hill Emergency Ambulance, and several amenities.
Saturday’s celebration brought out fun for all ages.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Member Paul Carifi, Jr., Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, and Council President Michael dePierro
MORRIS COUNTY — There have been statewide business shutdowns, statewide Covid mandates, but no statewide solution to the school bus driver shortage that is affecting children’s constitutional right to access education, says Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.
Reports show school districts have been largely left to figure out the problem on their own, with some altering routes and schedules to accommodate the shortage or even offering parents as much as $1,000 to drive their kids to school. Other students have had to rely on public transportation, Uber and Lyft, or endure hours-long delays on school buses that are running.
“It’s appalling that parents and individual school districts are being forced to cobble together fixes for the school bus shortage while the Murphy administration barely acknowledges that there is even an issue. Other states have governors who have stepped up and figured it out and our children deserve the same,” Dunn (R-Morris) said.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker activated the National Guard to drive school buses, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan are working on streamlining the process to secure a commercial driver’s license and schedule an appointment at the motor vehicle agency.
“There was plenty of time to plan for this, but we know from prior experience that the Motor Vehicle Commission doesn’t think ahead,” Dunn said.
Following the months-long government-mandated shutdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus, drivers were met with long lines and excessive wait times at reopened MVC agencies.
“This is a safety and accessibility issue that needs to be immediately addressed,” Dunn added. “Children in Paterson and Camden are being forced out of the classrooms and back into remote learning because they can’t get to school. It’s unacceptable. I am asking the governor, the Department of Education, and the MVC to put a plan into action to remedy the situation.”
Aside from saying “all options are on the table” at his weekly coronavirus briefing, Murphy has avoided stating specific measures to address the school bus driver shortage.
PARSIPPANY — On behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, Lt. Governor Frank Cahill presented New Jersey District Kiwanis International Governor Joseph “Joey G” Giordano with a donation to New Jersey District Foundation Children’s Fund.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano presented a proclamation to the family of the late William C. Taylor, Jr., on Tuesday, September 21 at a council meeting.
Taylor served as a councilman from 1981 to 1983. He was President and Liaison on the Township Planning Board; he was the President of the Par-Troy Little League West and took great pride in building all the baseball fields located there; he was a proud small business owner of the Texaco Station in Parsippany from 1975 to 1985, from which he donated the chain-link fence that surrounds Parsippany Hills High School.
William also served on the Republican Committee for his district for a number of years; he was the Director of Government Affairs at Trammell-Crow, where he designed the Mazdabrook Development on Smith Road; he also owned his own construction company from which he proudly built over 200 homes in Parsippany.
Patty Taylor with Mayor Michael SorianoThe Taylor Family
Talyor was a decorated Marksman/Sniper in the United States Marine Corps, where he also served as Military Police onboard the USS Springfield from 1962 to 1966; he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal.
PARSIPPANY — BettyLou DeCroce was sworn in as President of Parsippany Rotary on Tuesday, September 21.
In addition, Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi was installed as Vice President.
Rotary District Officers installed all the new officers and presented a plaque to our outgoing president Venkat Bijala.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts live at both the local and international levels.
Parsippany Rotary Club meets the first and third Tuesday at 7:47 a.m., at Parsippany IHOP, 792 Route 46.
For more information on Parsippany Rotary Club, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany added two new members on Thursday, September 23 at its breakfast meeting held at First Watch.
Aisha Mahmood was sponsored by Justin Musella and Eddie Astone was sponsored by Karen DeChristopher.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Laura Wohland said “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome two new members to our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Aisha and Eddie to our club. We welcome Aisha and Eddie to our global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”
Eddie Astone and Karen DeChristopherAisha Mahmood and Justin MusellaKaren DeChristopher pins Eddie Astone
The New Jersey District of Kiwanis International currently has 79 active Kiwanis Clubs, with a total of 1463 members. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has a total of 79 active members as of Thursday, September 22.
During the pandemic, Kiwanis Operation Feeding Morris County has distributed over 200,000 pounds of food, to 5,255 families, over 8,000 children with a retail value of over $525,000.
“Kiwanis Operation Feeding Morris County” was started in December by Kiwanis Club of Greater Roxbury President Cain Pope and has spread to many Morris County Kiwanis Club and other clubs in New Jersey as far away as Asbury Park, South Orange, Maplewood, Clifton, and Bridgewater.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — The public is invited to attend the first annual Morris County National Coming Out Day on Saturday, October 9, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments, food, and music.
The event is a collaboration with LGBTQ+ liaisons from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Morristown Police Department, and is intended to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community in providing a safe environment. Health and wellness resources will be provided for education and awareness.
Annually observed on October 11, National Coming Out Day is intended to support LGBTQ+ individuals and sometimes individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community to “come out.”
This event will be held at 10 Court Street (between Morris County Superior Court and Morris County Administration Building.
PARSIPPANY — During Tuesday’s Township Council meeting, Mayor Michael Soriano announced that the Township Recycling Center will continue to operate on its normal schedule, which includes 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturdays.
The center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on weekdays.
The recycling center is located on Pump House Road, near the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service.
“There was concern that keeping the Recycling Center open on Saturdays could result in deeper financial consequences, based on early budget speculations,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “Finance has now assured us that this won’t be the case.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy’s latest COVID directive requiring children two years and older to wear masks in childcare centers drew the ire of Senator Joe Pennacchio, who called the order “useless and unworkable.”
“Every parent who has ever tried to get a photo of their two-year-old in a Halloween mask knows this rule is futile,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “When you put any covering on a 2-year-olds’ face, they instinctively grab it and pull it off.
“The Governor knows this. He knows his mandate is impossible to accomplish and impossible to enforce.”
The mask requirement was included in an executive order signed by Murphy on Monday giving workers at daycare centers five weeks to be fully vaccinated for COVID or face weekly testing for the virus.
“This is the latest of a long list of edicts that haven’t made any sense,” Pennacchio said. “Masks were required for outdoor visitors to the beaches and state parks, and restaurants were forced to close at 10:00 p.m. as if the virus became more contagious later in the night. Prisons were opened up while orders sealed the virus among the elderly and frail in nursing homes with devastating effects. And now two-year-olds crawling around behind masks. None of this ever made any sense.
“Daycare workers are going to spend all day changing dirty diapers and masks and chasing after kids who lost their masks,” Pennacchio said.
The Senator again questioned where is the science and data to support this type of edict.
Initial COVID studies last year showed that COVID had a minimal effect on young children. A Yale University study of more than 57,000 childcare centers in the U.S. determined that keeping facilities open does not contribute to the transmission of COVID.
A research review of 11 studies measuring virus transmission in child care and preschool settings determined “evidence suggests that early learning programs are not associated with increased risk of contracting COVID-19 when health and safety precautions are in place.”
Pennacchio noted that more recent studies continue to indicate that “young children are at low risk for developing COVID-19 but also don’t play a significant role in the spread” of the virus.
“Trying to force a room full of two- and three-year-olds to keep their masks on for the duration of the workday is a foolish waste of time,” said Pennacchio. “It’s just more nonsense from the front office in Trenton.”
PARSIPPANY —Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has a Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 21.
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 — Diamond Dance performed a flash mob at the Kiwanis Food Festival held on Saturday, September 18.
Diamond Dance is owned and directed by Tiffany Slowinski a Puerto Rican, Parsippany native.
The Diamond Dance competition team performed in American and Puerto Rican flag tank tops and will be collecting donations to help rebuild Puerto Rico and support youth educational groups.
“When I was 14 years old we moved from Nutley to Parsippany. Most freshman’s in high school would find that extremely difficult but I just found it as another opportunity to meet new people and make (more friends) as I am still in direct contact with teachers and friends from my youth. I think that speaks volumes about my Hispanic heritage and culture. We are lovers, givers, and extremely passionate. It’s important to me to pass that trait on to my dancers. I want them to lead with their heart, befriend their competition, and give back to those in need,” said Tiffany Slowinski.
Diamond Dance is located at 164 Halsey Road and can be reached by calling (908) 659-8079.
PARSIPPANY — Girls on the Run begins its fall season.
The group meets Tuesdays and Fridays at Veterans Field in Parsippany from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and it is for girls in grades 3-5. Meetups are totally outdoors. This is a non-competitive, friendly group, and the focus is on helping girls grow in confidence with lessons that are fun, combined with light jogging/walking at the girls’ own pace.
They can use another two to four girls. You can sign up by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — Another Class A Commercial Building is disappearing from Parsippany.
The building located at Two Hilton Court, previously occupied by Daiichi Sankyo, which relocated to Basking Ridge in 2016, will be demolished and replaced with a warehouse.
Daiichi Sankyo, even though moved out in 2016 maintains the lease on the building until December 2022 and has been paying rent on the vacant building.
Daiichi Sankyo vacated the premises in 2016
The building was purchased in 2020 by Onyx Equities when they purchased a large portion of the former Mack-Cali complex.
In the past year, over one million square feet of vacant office space has been eliminated from the market. Parsippany is a location, location, location town. Approximately 400,000 square feet in the Stanberry Project on Route 10; 400,000 square feet in Lanidex; Two Campus, Four Campus, and 1633 Littleton Road, and this project brings it to over one million square feet.
When Mack-Cali constructed the building in 1991 it was built to specification as a one tenant building, thus making it difficult to lease to multi-tenants, and in the current market it’s considered a “White Elephant.” The Class A office building is complete with a fitness center and restaurant and contains four floors with a total of 181,592 square feet with 726 parking spaces.
The plans submitted to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills indicate the current building will be demolished and replaced with a 113,000 square foot industrial building containing 102,600 square feet of warehouse and 10,800 square feet of office. The location is very convenient to Route 10 off Dryden Way with access to Route 287, Route 80, and Route 24 within minutes, thus eliminating additional traffic on Littleton Road (Route 202).
In addition in the same complex, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board approved 2 Campus LLC., to construct a 172-unit residential building on the property located at 2 Campus Drive (Block 202, Lot 3.20); 4 Campus Drive (Block 202, Lot 3.2); and 1633 Littleton Road (Block 202, Lot 3.1).
Units
COAH Units
1 Bedroom
76
7
2 Bedrooms
89
21
3 Bedrooms
7
7
Total Units
172
35
Also, the Planning Board approved 1 Campus Associates, 3 Campus Drive, a plan to construct a total of 238 units, with 48 units of affordable housing.
Units
COAH Units
1 Bedroom
104
9
2 Bedrooms
124
29
3 Bedrooms
10
10
238
48
In addition, Stanbery will replace two vacant office buildings at 1515 Route 10 with over 500 multi-family residential dwellings. There is also an office and retail component planned but is being delayed due to COVID-19.
Lanidex Plaza will be transformed into PARQ Parsippany which is a multi-generational, mixed-use development that will encompass townhomes, multi-family residences, retail, expansive and open green spaces, and state-of-the-art facilities.
The approved plan will be implemented in two phases. The first phase includes Multi-Family Building 1, which features 275 multi-family residences, convenience retail, indoor and outdoor amenity space, and ample parking. It will also highlight 75 clustered courtyard townhomes with two-car garages. The townhomes will feature contemporary farmhouse-style architecture with access to a clubhouse and outdoor pool. Convenient, master-down home designs are also available. An athletic field, concession building, restrooms, and playground are also included in the first phase.
PARSIPPANY — Join the Parsippany Police Department for another installment of “Coffee with A Cop,” on Tuesday, September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, at Valley Bank, 800 Route 46, Arlington Shopping Center.
This semi-regular get-together offers local residents the opportunity to chat with our local police force over a multitude of important issues affecting residents and their neighborhoods while offering a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of running our police department.
Please note RSVPs are necessary for this event. Please RSVP to Ildiko Peluso at (973) 263-0601 or email here.
