PARSIPPANY — Parsippany’s 2021 Memorial Day Video Celebration. Thank you to all our brave military men and women who gave their lives to protect our country.
Grateful Nation by the Lieberman Family
A tribute to America’s fallen, military heroes
Vocals by Melody Lieberman & Peter Lieberman
Written & produced by Peter Lieberman
Scouts Place Flags at Grave Sites to Honor Veterans
PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, May 23, members of Scouts BSA Troop 173, and Girl Scout Troop 96229, in conjunction with members of Parsippany Elks Lodge #2078 placed flags at the gravestones of veterans buried in Parsippany’s historic Vail Cemetery in advance of Memorial Day.
On Saturday, May 29, Scouts from Parsippany Troop 173 and Whippany Troop 155 placed flags at headstones in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover to honor veterans interred there.
Matta Donna Ristorante & Pizzeria: Elegant Upscale and Classy Ambiance
BOONTON — On Main Street in the quaint, historic, little downtown of Boonton, it is not difficult to find several popular and excellent Italian restaurants dotted along the rows of small storefront businesses, but just a short drive away on Myrtle Avenue, separated from the crowd, you will find yet another gem you should seriously consider putting on your radar.
Matta Donna Italian Ristorante & Pizzeria, a family-owned, and operated fine dining venue opened its doors in October of 2009, after taking over the prior location of Eduardo’s Pizzeria, which was owned by the Mastria family and which stood at that location for the 30 years prior. As one would expect, after 30 years major renovations were in order and the new owners wasted no time in putting their dream to work. On your visit to Matta Donna’s, you will find an establishment that is somewhat elegant, with an upscale and classy ambiance; yet still manages to feel cozy and comfortable. The well-thought-out setting is undoubtedly an expression of pride by the owners. The vibe is fun, cheerful, and welcoming, and yet somehow exudes a feeling that you are in store for a more sophisticated, formal dining experience. Simply, if you are looking for fine Italian dining which also offers some interestingly cool pizzas, Matta Donna might just be your place.
As soon as you enter you immediately are struck by the beautiful, reddish/brown oak woodwork throughout the interior dining room and bar. The appealing soft hues of the rich wood, which includes the wall paneling, floors, tables, and bar, lends itself to a sophisticated décor and ambiance that immediately exudes a feeling of warmth and comfort. The gorgeous wood is complimented with several pieces of beautiful artwork that adorns the walls and which adds another level of class to this already quietly elegant-looking venue. The dining room is spacious, airy, and nicely lighted by the restaurants’ large windows, and the tables are set up to be in full compliance with today’s pandemic safety requirements.
On entry, we were warmly greeted, thanked for our visit, and offered our choice of tables. We chose a nice corner table with a lot of light. A basket of hot bread (whole grain and Crusty White), butter, and infused Olive Oil quickly arrived, and our drink order was taken without delay. I went with a Woodford Manhattan this evening and the bartender personally came to our table to ask how I like it. He made it to perfection. Nice, personalized service. Our server, Jake, was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, in addition to being very personable, attentive, polite, and efficient at his job, as was the rest of the staff. Our menus were brought, and water was poured as our group looked over the multiple appetizing looking menu options.
Zach Joyce, who along with his brother, Edward, owns and operates this family-owned, independent eatery stopped by our table which gave me a chance to get some background information on Matta Donna. I was curious about the name of the restaurant, which being of Italian heritage, I knew translated to “Crazy Woman”. Zach laughed and explained that though the name does mean “Crazy Woman” it actually came from a ranch the family had owned in Wyoming, where there is an area called “Crazy Woman Creek” and that it is not a reference to anyone in particular. Zach told me that his brother, Ed, a classically trained Chef, runs the kitchen while he runs the front of the house. Mother, Barbara Joyce, who is also a classically trained pastry Chef, does not work in the restaurant but does supply them with several of her specialty desserts. Zach made it clear that all three have their roles in serving the area with fine, gourmet Italian cuisine, and of course, those specialty pizzas.
My inquiry then led to the bar’s countertop, which I previously knew has quite an interesting back story. The bar’s countertop is comprised of teak, which was acquired from salvaged deck planks directly from the USS North Carolina, the most decorated battleship during WWII, and which was involved in every major naval offensive in the Pacific during that time. Interestingly, North Carolina was being restored around the same time that the restaurant was being renovated. The somewhat rotted ship planks which were being replaced were acquired by Min-Craft Custom Cabinetry in Dover who meticulously restored the planks and utilized them to create the unique top of the appealing bar. Being a Navy veteran, I found this particularly exciting, not to mention patriotic and historic. The USS North Carolina, once considered the World’s greatest sea weapon, is presently a tourist attraction in Wilmington, NC. It was nice to see Zach express such pride in his family and their restaurant.
Time to eat! For our appetizers, we decided to share one of their small pizza’s that I have heard good things about, the specialty Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions Pizza. We also went with the
, with roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella cheese, with a balsamic reduction, and the Shrimp Special. Did I mention, to complement your meal they offer a nice variety of wines at reasonable prices. All the appetizers were delicious. I would not have ever thought of ordering a Goat Cheese pizza, but I found it delicious and perfectly prepared. Tasty, thin-crust (you can order it thin or regular crust) and fully cooked to a nice, crunchy texture. The Sausage married perfectly with the peppers and mozzarella and was a treat; and the Shrimp, sweet with a deliciously tender texture, covered in a slightly creamy sauce. Great start!
For an entrée, I decided on their Cowboy Rib Eye, an 18 oz grilled, bone-in, Angus steak, topped with garlic-herb butter and served with hand-cut fries and sauteed green beans. My guests went with the Grilled Filet Mignon, served with sautéed mushrooms, and roasted red peppers, with a cabernet wine sauce; served with roasted potatoes and broccoli, and the Veal Cutlet Parmesan, served over pasta. The Cowboy Steak was prepared to melt-in-your-mouth excellence, savory, juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly to my specifications. The ample amount of cut fries were nice and crispy, and the green beans were fresh and slightly crunchy to the bite. The Filet Mignon and Veal Parmesan, which I, unfortunately, did not get to try, were also met with rave reviews. By now, everyone was clearly happy and satiated but how could you leave without one of Barbara’s decadent desserts.
I went with the homemade Blueberry Tart. Bursting with the fresh flavor of blueberries, with a deliciously textured homemade crust, this was a decadent and delectably good choice. Not too sweet, not too tart, exactly right! Went great with a meal ending Cappuccino. My guest’s Chocolate Lava Cake was also a home run.
Matta Donna was a great stop. Delicious food, excellent service, moderate prices, great people, and what looks like a great bar scene. Next stop, I might just have to hit up the bar to enjoy one of their sandwiches, or a burger, both of which I hear is excellent; along with a beer or two. I certainly would recommend stopping in and giving it a try. I am confident you will enjoy your dining experience, I did.
Private Parking Lot, Dine-In, Take-Out, Delivery, Curbside Pickup
Hours of Operation: Monday and Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Northern Italian Restaurant with Full Bar Service- Pizza, Pasta, Chicken, Beef, Pork & Vegetarian Meals.
Matta Donna Ristorante & Pizzeria is located at 304 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton. (973) 334-7138; https://www.mattadonna.com
Bhargava Reddy Mamidi Completes Trine University Degree
PARSIPPANY — Bhargava Reddy Mamidi completed the requirements for a degree from Trine University at the end of the Spring 2021 semester.
Mamidi earned a degree in Master of Science in Information Studies at Trine.
Trine University, an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the Allen School of Engineering & Computing, Ketner School of Business, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, College of Health Professions, Franks School of Education, Jannen School of Arts & Sciences and Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences.
Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 36 intercollegiate sports, 27 of which compete in NCAA Division III. Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre main campus in Angola, Indiana, and the College of Health Professions in Fort Wayne, with education centers in Detroit, Michigan, and Phoenix, Arizona, and programs available worldwide through TrineOnline.
Students Celebrate Memorial Day with a Red Poppies Commemoration
PARSIPPANY— Ceramics students at Parsippany Hills High School created red poppies in commemoration of Memorial Day. The red poppy has long been a symbol of remembrance to those who served and sacrificed in our country and thus, we created our own poppy field on the front lawn of the school. Red poppies are scattered around the front entrance area of the school, along with signage explaining the installation.
The students wanted to honor our fallen heroes and bring awareness to our students about the significance of Memorial Day.
Parsippany Fire District 5 Family Picnic/BBQ
PARSIPPANY — Well, the weather certainly did not cooperate Memorial Day weekend, with heavy rain, wind, and unusually cold temps pounding Parsippany, but that certainly did not deter Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 5 from going forward with their Annual Family BBQ/Picnic.
After all, our local first responders are a hardy bunch, and certainly not afraid of a little adverse weather. These dedicated public servants may be all business when it comes to responding to our local emergencies, but these guys and gals also know how to throw one heck of a party. On a side note, for those not familiar, there are 6 Fire Districts throughout the Township of Parsippany, and District 5 is comprised of two Fire Stations that serve East Parsippany.
On Saturday, May 29 on my arrival at the Parsippany District #5 Fire Department, Station 2 (“The Grange”) on South Beverwyck Road I was impressed to see that arrangements were already in place to deal with the weather.
A large, tented area was constructed that easily accommodated the crowd; grills were smoking, DJ was cranking, and the volunteer firefighters, their families, friends, and associates were starting to gather in anticipation of a fun outing with fellow first responders, good friends, and lots of food. First Responders always know to have contingency plans in place for any given situation, so this thoughtful prior planning was no surprise. To keep the kids busy, a bouncy house was available indoors and it was well appreciated by some happy boys and girls.
The American BBQ Company, out of Denville, did a fantastic job of catering the event and put out enough food to feed an army. Lots and lots of the usual BBQ fare, including steak, spareribs, barbequed chicken, sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, steamed clams, corn on the cob, pork and beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. Watermelon, cookies, and brownies served as desserts. If you left hungry, shame on you. The DJ, Chuck Chamalian, of Powerhouse Productions helped keep the event energized with a great selection of background music throughout the day.
All in all, it was a nice, fun-filled family event, with something for everybody. Despite the unusually cold weather, a few controlled fires were more than adequate to keep everyone comfortable, as many of the guys sat around enjoying a cigar or two and obviously discussing some, what appeared to be, particularly important matters. LOL.
Many attendees simply enjoyed gathering around the fires or bouncing from group to group as the afternoon progressed just to enjoy each other’s company. It was impressive to see the enthusiasm, energy, and camaraderie shared by this close-knit group of firefighters. Laughs and interesting stories were in no short supply.
Thank you to the members of District 5 for the invite and for their hospitality. It was a pleasure to be in the company of so many of our professionally trained, dedicated, selfless individuals who serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, asking for nothing more than the opportunity to offer their assistance whenever the need arises. Your efforts and service are appreciated more than you know. Keep up the great work!
Parsippany District 5 Fire Department picnic/bbq was held at 200 South Beverwyck Road.
Rainbow Lakes Memorial Day Community Parade
PARSIPPANY — Despite heavy rain and cold weather The Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company, and the Rainbow Lakes Veterans continued a long-established Rainbow Lakes tradition of holding a Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade.
These two annual events honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Emergency service vehicles from Parsippany, Denville, and Mt. Lakes participated in the parade and ceremony along with Mayor Michael Soriano, Council President Michael de Pierro, County Clerk Ann Grossi, and other elected officials, many Rainbow families, and veterans.
The Cuchullain Pipe Band which practices at the Rainbow Lakes Clubhouse marched and performed. The Rainbow Lakes Community Club helped support the event by supplying sound equipment and chairs for the speakers and dignitaries. Ken Vanderhoof of Rainbow Lakes Community Club played “taps” on the bugle leaving hardly a dry eye.
Master of ceremonies Charlie Engfer thanked everyone for remembering the fallen heroes and was pleased with attendance even during heavy rain.
He announced the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company plans to hold the open house program again in the future. A special moving tribute to Bill Degrosky was held with his daughter reading “a soldier died today.
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Parsippany Focus Questions Candidates For Upcoming Primary
PARSIPPANY — InsiderNJ attempted to arrange a debate between the two Republican mayoral candidates, Jamie Barberio and Dr. Louis Valori but to no avail. Valori was willing, but Barberio, after agreeing to the idea in concept, never responded to calls to set it up. (Click here to read the full article).
Parsippany Focus has submitted the following questions to all the candidates, Mayoral and Council, hoping they will respond with answers, to help the voters of Parsippany decide at the polls. The questions were derived by our Editorial Team and asking random residents what they thought the most pressing issues were in Parsippany. Candidates were requested to return responses by Thursday, June 3, 5:00 p.m.
Election day is Tuesday, June 8. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Valori and his team of council candidates Justin Musella and Gary Martin are running under the banner of “Parsippany First.”
Barberio and his team of council candidates Frank Neglia and Deborah Orme, are running under the banner of “Bring Back Barberio.”
Also running independently for a council seat is Former Council Vice President Robert Peluso.
Debate Questions for Mayoral Candidates:
- Pride in Parsippany is an important part of why many choose our Township as their home. Why did you decide to settle in Parsippany, and what makes you proud to be a resident?
2. What is your primary motivation to serve the residents of Parsippany as Mayor?
3. What qualities and platform positions set you apart from your opponent?
4. What is the first action you will take as Mayor should you be elected?
5. Allegations of nepotism have marked a shadow on past Republican and Democratic administrations dating back to the last century, will you make a commitment to stop this practice in the future?
6. Public confidence in our police department has been shaken over the past ten years as a result of multiple whistleblower lawsuits and allegations of impropriety at the top, how would you address this and bring back trust in our local law enforcement?
7. Parsippany has earned a reputation for poor fiscal management coupled with short-term budgetary thinking, which steps would you take to change this and bring Parsippany back into financial maturity? Specifically, address recent increases in utility rates and higher than expected tax increases over the past few years.
8. Overdevelopment has been a staple of campaigns on both sides of the isle with truly little in the way of tangible action being taken by Town Hall. How would you ensure that any new development meets the needs of the township while balancing the needs of current residents? Specifically, address the use of PILOT programs and their benefits/costs to residents.
9. In the past, relations between Town Hall and the Township Council have been less than desirable, what actions will take to ensure this improves in your administration?
10. In the 2017 election, Township Attorney John Inglesino played a major role in the voter’s decision. The Township experienced unusually high legal bills and lawsuits. Do you have any intention of bringing Mr. Inglesino, Justin Marchetta, or other members of the firm Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala & Taylor, to Parsippany as Town Attorney?
11. If you fail to win the support of residents and lose the election, what advice would you give to the victor?
Debate Questions for Council Candidates:
- Pride in Parsippany is an important part of why many choose our Township as their home. Why did you decide to settle in Parsippany, and what makes you proud to be a resident?
2. Tell us about your family life and what living in Parsippany means to you.
3. What is your primary motivation to serve the residents of Parsippany as a Councilmember?
4. What qualities and platform positions set you apart from your opponents?
5. The Township Council has an important role in acting as a check on the executive branch, how would you continue to ensure proper governance in your role as a Councilmember and prevent executive overreach?
6. As a Councilmember, how would you ensure that the financial position of the Township improves and what would you do to keep residential tax rates reasonable?
7. Recently, a disagreement between the bipartisan Township Council and the current administration on a proposed $5M bond to balance the budget has been made public. Where do you stand on using bonds to balance the budget and how would you vote on this proposal with current information made to the public?
8. Since 2018, the Township Council has become a legislative chamber where respect between members is encouraged regardless of party affiliation or political position. How will you continue to contribute to this positive atmosphere and assure that this continues?
9. Do you believe the Township Council should take an expanded role in engaging Town Hall on behalf of residents and advocating for their concerns? Would you support office hours during the week for Council members to meet with residents and address their concerns? Specifically, address poor follow-up by the Township in relation to constituency services.
10. Tell us about your work experience and how it will assist you in being a member of the Township Council in Parsippany.
11. There are five candidates running for the two available council seats. What sets you apart from the other candidates and why should Republican voters support you on June 8?
DeCroce Counter Attacks Webber with Cops by Her Side
PARSIPPANY — Politics is always interesting but this week Fred Snowflack NJ Insider uncovered truths about a State Resolution passed by the NJ General Assembly. District 26 is under fire by their own! But PARSIPPANY could lose control of the State seat but this article gets to the heart of the issue. 40 years of loyalty to a party can not be ignored!
Jay Webber is doubling down on his assertion BettyLou DeCroce is an anti-cop radical, as reported in a story published in InsiderNJ.
But DeCroce has cops on her side. A recent DeCroce campaign piece says “BettyLou backs the blue” and urges voters to ignore the “lies being spread by her desperate opponents.”
This is the work of the State Troopers Fraternal Association.
Roxbury Police Chief Mark Noll (Ret.) and Police Chief James Simonetti (Ret.) support Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s re-election to the State General Assembly in District 26.
As Police Chiefs who worked with Assemblywoman DeCroce for over twenty years in local government, she was always an ardent supporter of law enforcement. We have had the pleasure of working side by side with the Assemblywoman in her official capacity in Roxbury Township. We always knew that she had our backs and ensured that we received the necessary funding to do our jobs and protect our community.
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon also supports DeCroce.
Whether a candidate backs police is an odd issue in a Republican primary, but it’s raging in LD-26, which is centered in Morris County and includes small parts of Essex and Passaic counties.
Both Webber and DeCroce are Assembly incumbents, but only Webber has been endorsed by the Morris County Republican Committee.
Webber’s partner is Christian Barranco, who the committee also endorsed.
Also in the race is Tom Mastrangelo, a Morris County Commissioner.
The police issue stems from DeCroce’s vote last year in support of making July 13 Black Lives Matter day in New Jersey. The bill speaks of urging police and others to work together in the name of solidarity and also acknowledges past injustices. In short, this was one of those symbolic votes public bodies commonly take.
And it really wasn’t controversial. No Assembly member voted “no,” although a number of them, Webber included, abstained. Other Morris County Legislators voted yes. Abstentions are useless! This begs an obvious question. If the bill was so heinous, why didn’t anyone push the “no” button?
But now that we’re in a primary fight, Webber is using the vote to link DeCroce to the “defund the police movement.”
A campaign piece last week accused DeCroce of supporting BLM’s radical agenda. And he reiterated that point this week.
The latest piece suggests DeCroce is an anti-Trump, anti-ICE, anti-cop radical. In case you miss the point, there’s a photo of someone holding a “Defund the Police” sign. No, it’s not DeCroce.
DeCroce’s rebuttal mailer says simply that she’s backed by the State Troopers Association.
As an overview, it’s hard to see where Webber, who hasn’t been interested in chatting about the race, is going with all this.
You would think that voters who care about the state Assembly, which is not a high-profile position, would know something about the candidates.
Are these voters really going to believe that DeCroce, who has been active in Republican politics for about 40 years, is a closet member of the Black Liberation Army? That seems doubtful, but Webber apparently sees things differently.
DeCroce has a long list of support from Republican officials throughout the district including Former Member of Congress Rodney P. Frelinghuysen.
List of Endorsements:
Morris Plains
Council President Art Bruhn (R)
Councilman Sal Cortese (R)
Councilwoman Cathie Kelly (R)
Councilman Dennis Wagner (R)
Parsippany
Council President Michael DePierro (R)
Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani (R)
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr. (R)
Montville
Mayor Frank Cooney (R)
Deputy Mayor Rich Cook (R)
Committeeman Richard Conklin (R)
Committeeman Matthew Kayne (R)
Jefferson
Mayor Eric Wilsusen (R)
Council President Melissa Senatore (R)
Council Vice President Jay Dunham (R)
Councilman Josh Kalish (R)
Councilman Bob Birmingham (R)
Councilman Ron Smith (R)
Kinnelon
Mayor James Freda (R)
Council President Vincent Russo (R)
Councilman Robert Roy (R)
Councilman Sean Mabey (R)
Councilman James Lorkowski (R)
Councilman Randall Charles (R)
Councilman Bill Yago (R)
Parts of this article were reprinted from InsiderNJ.com.
Updated Friday, May 28, 8:30 p.m.
Two Car Accident on Parsippany Road Sends One to Hospital
PARSIPPANY — On Tuesday, May 25 at 2:10 p.m. Ms. Raginiben Patel, Parsippany, was traveling South on Parsippany Road in a 2014 Silver Honda Odyssey when a 2015 Red Toyota Corolla, driven by Diana Longo, West Orange, was making a left turn from Green Hill Road onto Parsippany Road South and struck Patel’s vehicle in the lane of travel.
Patrolman Robert Appel determined that Ms. Longo caused the crash to occur, failing to yield to the right of way to the Patel vehicle.
Mrs. Patel was transported to Morristown Medical Center by Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Powder Mill Towing.
At the time of the report, no summons was issued.
Parsippany Voter Registration Update: Republicans Surpass Democrats by 100
PARSIPPANY — The official total of registered voters eligible to vote in the June 8 Primary Election in Parsippany has been released by the Morris County Board of Elections.
The number of Parsippany Republicans now exceeds Parsippany Democrats by nearly 100.
The total registered Republicans in Parsippany are 11,801. The total number of registered Democrats in Parsippany now stands at 11,709. The total number of Unaffiliated voters in Parsippany is 13,676 which is the biggest percentage of the electorate.
The Primary election is 11 days away. The race for the Republican nomination for Mayor and Council is in active motion.
Dr. Lou Valori is running for Mayor with Justin Musella and Gary Martin as Council running mates.
Former Mayor Jamie Barberio is also hoping to reclaim the Mayoral position running with Board of Education members Frank Neglia and Deborah Orme.
Former Council Vice President Robert Peluso is running alone for one of the Council seats.
Township Council Meetings to Resume at Town Hall
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Clerk Khaled Madin announced the June 1, Township Council Agenda Meeting of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will be held at 7:00 p.m., in the Municipal Building located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
This meeting is an in-person meeting. Formal action may or may not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken.
Garbage Truck Slams Into Vehicle at Traffic Light
PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany-Troy Hills Township garbage truck slammed into a vehicle on Route 46 at the Smith Road traffic light on Wednesday, May 5, at 1:07 p.m.
Ms. Stefani Masi, Kinnelon, stated she was traveling east on Route 46, near Smith Road, at which time the first traffic turned yellow and she proceeded at stopped at the second traffic light, which had already turned red. The driver of the township-owned garbage truck, Mr. Frank Smarra, Randolph, was traveling behind the Masi vehicle. He passed through the first traffic light, which was yellow, and failed to stop at the second light in time before making contact with the rear of the vehicle.
Ms. Masi also made contact with a Jersey Central Utility pole and caused minimal damage
Ms. Mazi was driving a 2016 Volvo which was required to be towed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
The Garbage Truck was towed by Corigliano Towing.
There was no summons issued at the time of the report.
Morris Surrogate Delivers E Probate Overview for Morris County Attorney’s
MORRIS COUNTY — Surrogate Heather Darling delivered a webinar covering the first round of enhancements to her e Probate online process.
The one-hour webinar was designed specifically for the attorneys that work with probate and administration of estates in Morris County. Since its roll-out in November of 2020, significant improvements have been integrated with e Probate to enhance the client experience, making it more efficient and convenient to complete the probate and administration process for an estate online.
The Surrogate’s office has processed over 700 e Probate cases since its introduction in November of 2020, in addition to in-person appointments and mail processing. The details of the current e Probate application were discussed and Surrogate Darling had an exchange of ideas with the many participating attorneys regarding their experience and future enhancements that will be forthcoming.
This service was developed out of an idea Surrogate Darling presented when running for the Office of Surrogate. She said, “As an attorney practicing in the Surrogate’s Court, it was apparent to me that a significant segment of the clients this office serves is subject to mobility issues of varying degrees.” Darling went on to say, “When I originally forecasted the need, no one would have foreseen the additional urgent need for this service which was brought on by COVID.” A video of the webinar is available online at the Surrogate’s website click here.
Music wants a Furever Home; Music Can be Shy
PARSIPPANY — Music is seeking a patient owner who will build trust with him. He can be frightened at times so he would benefit from a quiet household. Kids age 16 or older are preferred.
Yes, Music can be shy at first greeting but once he gets to know them he does not mind their company. Music gets along with cats. Music is crate trained and enjoys spending time in the crate. Music will have occasional accidents but has been improving as he adjusts to a routine.
Music walks perfectly on the leash!
Prepare your laps for this bundle of love! Music is a snuggle bug who could spend all day in your company. When he is not cuddling with you, he is playing with his toys! He takes pride in showing off his toy collection and leaves you with the honor of picking them up. He enjoys going on walks around the neighborhood. Music takes time to become comfortable with new people and his surroundings, but once he acclimates, he will show you all the love he has to offer!
Music was surrendered to Wise at no fault of his own. His previous owner got a new job and no longer had the time to care for him. He is looking forward to his new journey of finding a forever family!
If you are interested in adopting, please click here to fill out an application.
Follow Wise on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise on Facebook by clicking here.
Mayor Soriano: Undecided About Getting Your Vaccine? Talk To Your Doctor
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany residents have gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 at a higher rate than much of New Jersey. But Mayor Michael Soriano made a plea to those undecided about or opposed to getting the shots: talk to your doctor.
Getting vaccinated isn’t an easy decision for anyone. But for anybody who hasn’t received the vaccination for COVID-19, please talk to your doctor.
As members of this community, we need to be informed with facts and data from medical professionals, and to listen to the same professionals we trust with our lives and the lives of our families.
School Mask Mandate a ‘Joke’ says Assemblyman Bergen
MORRIS COUNTY — On Monday Governor Phil Murphy announced that we should expect to see children wearing masks at school in the fall. Assemblyman Brian Bergen called the announcement a “joke.”
In a session of the state Assembly on May 20, Bergen put Democrats on notice to start doing their jobs and stop acting as the governor’s “lapdog.”
“I think the governor is dreaming if he plans to have the unilateral authority to mask our children in schools this fall,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “If he does have that much authority, and our state Legislature is still sitting on their hands, I would be shocked. I mean, how long can Democrats in the legislature tolerate being completely irrelevant?”
Bergen introduced legislation to rein in the governor’s executive order authority. His bill (A4147) would require legislative oversight and would force all executive orders to expire after 14 days without an extension granted by the Legislature. It has been brought up for votes three times in the Assembly and twice in the Senate, each time voted down by the Democrats.
“Let’s be clear, if the governor is still acting unilaterally in the fall, then there is no one else to blame besides the Assembly and Senate Democrats. More specifically, the leadership in both houses.”
Bergen has also indicated he is tired of those responsible hiding behind their party.
“It’s time we name the individuals who are making these bad decisions and hold them directly accountable. Enough of the generalizations. We know who they are and we need to hold their feet to the fire at every opportunity.”
Valori Statement Calling on Soriano, Council, to find Common-Ground in Preventing Budget Crisis
PARSIPPANY — The COVID pandemic has resulted in plummeting tax revenues and dramatically increased service expenditures putting significant strain on Townships finances. However, there is still an underlying structural deficit that needs to be addressed to avoid further damage to residential tax rates. The past three years have seen some of the worst government mismanagement of anywhere in the state. Most of us have already noticed our utility bills skyrocket from the improper usage of utility surplus to artificially limit tax increases. Soriano made the elimination of this practice a central promise of his 2017 campaign but made little progress in addressing this. As a result, the Township no longer has any surplus money to draw from and is forced to make this revenue up in this budget through either increased taxation, budget cuts, or a more creative solution that will only postpone the crisis.
Soriano has proposed issuing a five-million-dollar bond to supplement revenues and prevent a sizable tax increase from slamming residents this year, an election year. The Township Council, none of whom are running for re-election this year, have questioned the need to patch our budget with this loan. We believe the Mayor should work with the Council to address their concerns and present a budget that is appropriate to deal with the crisis. Unfortunately, it seems Mayor Soriano would rather pass the buck onto the Council, threatening layoffs and service cuts if he doesn’t get his way and spreading rumors among employees that the Township Council will be to blame. This kind of behavior is unnecessary, unproductive, and beneath the dignity of the office. As Mayor, Soriano only has one constitutional role. It isn’t posting photo ops on Facebook or cutting ribbons, it’s proposing a budget, answering any resulting questions to the Council, and getting it approved.
“People For Palestine” – Rally Organized by Teens, Draws Hundreds of People
PARSIPPANY — Hundreds of people from all different religions, races, and political affiliations came together for the “People for Palestine” rally and teach-in at Smith Field Park on the corner of Route 46 and Baldwin Road. The rally was organized by four Morris County high school students: Sumaiya Rehman (Parsippany High School), Nicole
Piccininni, Noor Zaman, and Medina Kandil (Morris County School of Technology).
The teens set out to create a peaceful rally and teach-in for Palestine after witnessing through social media over two weeks of Israeli onslaught of Palestinians and witnessing the death of hundreds of innocent civilians. The youth organizers were joined by Jabari Jackson from the Respect My Life Foundation, who organized a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest of his own last summer. The students felt an obligation to mobilize and build awareness and even provide a voice to those across the world who do not have one. The girls’ voices were heard by the several hundred who attended the rally on an extremely hot Sunday afternoon.
Amongst the crowd were individuals of many different ethnicities, religions, and several
backgrounds. Everyone rallied and stood together for the same cause: fighting for humanity.
Several vehicles passing along Route 46 honked and waved with solidarity and support.
The several cars passing by in attendance lifted the spirits and energy of the crowd.
The situation happening in Palestine is nothing new but now with independence and social
media, it has attracted global attention and has caused an uproar throughout the country
for people to come together and go into action for what is right. The Parsippany-held event
is one of the many held across New Jersey. In the last month, 230 Palestinians have been
killed by Israeli forces, including 65 children as well. Within the last month, in a holy area
(Jerusalem) for which, for centuries, has been the site of all three Abrahamic Faiths to
peacefully worship, had been invaded as congregations peacefully prayed the last Friday
prayer (Jum’uah) of Ramadan.
The crowd that gathered at Smith Field was not there for the sole reason to support the local youth and their efforts. Everyone attended to support the cause and fight for the justice of Palestinians. After Aziz Al-Qoalak, the San Diego Palestinian-American who lost 21 of his extended family members while Gaza was under attack mourned for days, after the attacks on Masjid Al-Aqsa, the third holiest worshipping site for Muslims, and the endless deaths of children and families in Palestine, what is happening in there is not a cause to back down from. “The fight should continue and should not end until our brothers and sisters across the world can sleep safely in their homes without the fear of waking to their homes destroyed or lives lost around them,” says another youth organizer, Medina Kandil.
People from all backgrounds and spectrums came together to unite on a hot afternoon to
support the humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing, as Palestinians grapple to rebuild their desolated infrastructure that was barely rebuilt since the last bombing. People united and came together with decorated posters, Palestinian flags, and the energy and spirit to fight for the right cause. Parsippany High School junior and one of the lead organizers of the rally, Sumaiya Rehman emphasized, “There is no reason to thank the four of us youth for what we have done. What we did needed to happen; regardless of how far across the world we are.
In a time of injustice, our efforts need to be seen and executed with the right intention.”
Sumaiya is one of the organizers alongside three of her friends.
Throughout the event, there were a series of speakers. Dijuan Higgins from the Respect My
Life Foundation, Madelyn Hoffman, Green Party candidate for Governor of New Jersey, and
Morris County youth came together along with Palestinian Americans to speak out for the
the humanitarian crisis and grave injustice that their Palestinian brothers and sisters are suffering.
Additionally, Hafsa Habbeh from American Muslims for Palestine and Imam Basel Hamdeh,
from the Jam-E-Masjid Islamic Center in Boonton, were amongst the speaker lineup as well.
Americans from all walks of life and all different backgrounds stood in solidarity with
Palestine, here in Parsippany, which has the largest Muslim and Palestinian population in
Morris County.
The four youth organizers encourage Morris County and New Jersey to speak up for what is
right. In a time of injustice, unity is what we need. The youth encourage everyone to look into resources and access ways to teach themselves about the ongoing situation in Palestine.
