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.
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).
Morris County’s four youth organizers (L-R: Nicole Piccininni, Noor Zaman, Sumaiya Rehman, Medina Kandil) stand alongside Parsippany High School recent Hall of Fame inductee and founder of the local organization: the Respect My Life Foundation, as well as one of the adult organizers for the event, Jabari Jackson.
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.
Youth organizer, Nicole Piccininni, gives a speech on her thoughts regarding the situation in Palestine, as people gather and listen.
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.
The crowd gathers around Dijuan Higgins, a member of the Respect My Life Foundation and one of the event’s speakers, as he gives an inspiring speech on “Investing in Humanity.”
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.
Parents of the child in this emotional and raw picture help their son put his handprint on a powerful sign used at the Parsippany rally
MORRIS COUNTY — The announcement that masks will not be required indoors comes about a week after Murphy rejected similar mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, saying he wanted “more time on the clock” for people to get vaccinated.
Businesses can still require masks:
-Murphy said businesses and entities overseeing indoor spaces may continue to require face masks for employees, customers, and/or guests
Masks will also still be required in:
-Health care settings, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters
-On airplanes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation
-In transportation hubs such as airports and stations
-Public-facing state offices, such as NJ MVC agencies
-Worksites that are closed to the public, including warehousing and manufacturing facilities
-Child care centers and facilities
Those who are not fully vaccinated are still “strongly encouraged” to follow CDC guidance and wear a face mask in any indoor setting.
“Please be responsible and do the right thing – for your own safety and your community’s safety,” Murphy said.
Also on Friday, the state is lifting the requirement for maintaining six feet at all indoor and outdoor businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and casinos.
Also on Friday, May 28:
-Requirement for maintaining six feet of social distancing in indoor and outdoor settings will be lifted, but businesses can still require social distancing if they choose
-Prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants will be lifted
-Prohibition on ordering and eating/drinking while standing at bars and restaurants will be lifted
Effective June 4:
-State will remove all indoor gathering limits.
-State will also lift the 30% limit on large indoor venues with a fixed seating capacity of 1,000 or greater.
“The steps we’ve announced today are the clearest signs of our commitment to carefully and deliberately reopening our state,” Murphy said. “We continue to trend in the right direction with every indicator and our vaccination numbers have increased dramatically over the last two weeks.”
-Youth summer camps
-Public, private, or parochial preschool program premises
-Elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools
Nearly 4.1 million New Jersey residents have been vaccinated. That’s nearly half of the state’s population.
MORRIS COUNTY — In honor of Veteran’s Appreciation Month, Jersey 1st has partnered with Backpacks for Life to host a “virtual” supplies drive for veterans in need. “We are thrilled to support the mission of Backpacks for life and help Veterans as they transition from military life to civilian life. We learned about the difficulties that veterans face today- and especially throughout the pandemic from Backpacks for life Founders Alexa Modero and Brett D’Alessandro when they joined us Jersey 1st TV and shared their mission. We are honored to help our veterans- one backpack at a time” said Rosemary Becchi, President and Founder of Jersey 1st.
See the full Jersey 1st / Backpacks for life interview by clicking here.
Backpack For Life’s Mission is to provide unique and personalized support to homeless and at-risk veterans currently struggling to reintegrate into civilian life. Whether it’s supplying a backpack filled with daily essentials or providing guidance through their mentorship program, there is nothing they won’t do for our veterans, military spouses, and family members.
The supplies drive will run through the end of May. All goods ordered online will be delivered to Backpacks For Life after the drive ends.
Jersey 1st is a non-profit committed to identifying, educating, and advocating for economic and social policies that put the interests of New Jersey families and businesses first.
For more information on Backpacks for Life click here.
PARSIPPANY — Powdermill Towing and Pacific Outdoor Advertising are proposing a two-sided, lighted, 60-foot-high billboard on the premises of Powdermill Towing, 299 Littleton Road. The billboard is for the purpose of advertising on Route 80.
The proposed billboard, 60 feet high, will tower over 333 Littleton Road and is absolutely out of proportion with the surrounding neighborhood.
Hearing for this proposal is scheduled for June 23 at the Board of Adjustment meeting.
The hearing is a legal proceeding: Protests and comments will not be heard until the entire case is presented.
You can ask questions, but not make statements until all testimony is heard.
The seven Board of Adjustment members are citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Town Council. They are sensitive to neighborhood opposition. If you oppose this, it is important to make your opinions known at the hearing. The proposal needs three variances. Variances allow a property owner to violate zoning specified in the town Master Plan. (In other words, off-premise signs like this are not allowed in the zone of Powdermill Towing Property.) The variances are for height (35 feet allowed, 60 feet proposed), use (off-premise sign), and for two principal uses of a property.
Five Board members must vote in favor of this to pass.
Need more information? Contact Julia and Robert Peterson at jrplivben@optonline.net; View plans at the Zoning Office (for appointment contact NJolie@parsippany.net). Express your opinion to Town Council representatives and candidates.
A log-in to the meeting will be posted at a later date on this story.
PARSIPPANY — The Friends of the Parsippany Library are holding an Outdoor Bag Sale at the Main Branch Library at 449 Halsey Road, on Saturday, June 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Choose from hundreds of books to fill out your home library!. Fill a regular bag for $5.00
Fill a large bag for $10.00
(Bags will be provided on-site)
ALSO – Friends of the Library members get the added benefit of Buy One Bag, Get a Second Bag FREE.
This is a cash-only event. Masks are required by all guests attending the event.
Regular Office Hours
Mon – Thurs: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Special Events*
PAL will be staffed as needed per the PAL program schedule
Parsippany Community Center
1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 | Call (973)263-7163
*Building will remain closed to the public except by appointment until further notice* Building Hours of Operation
Mon – Thurs: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Memorial Day is one of our nation’s most important commemorations, as we honor those brave men and women who have fallen in the service of our armed forces.
This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Township is once again recording a Memorial Day ceremony to be broadcast to the public on Monday, May 31.
With safety and social distancing a top priority of production, the Township is planning a beautiful ceremony that will match the in-person observances we’ve held for years.
We want to thank Video on the Go and Council President Mike dePierro for their help in the planning and execution of this endeavor.
We’ve all had to make sacrifices over the course of this pandemic, but here in Parsippany, we will not give up honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Please tune in to Public Access Channel 21, Facebook, or YouTube on Memorial Day to be part of this important tradition. Live streams will begin at 10:00 a.m. online, and will run every hour on the hour on public access television.
PARSIPPANY — Janice McCarthy’s term on the Township Council will be ending on December 31.
But that doesn’t mean she won’t be on the ballot this year. As a long-time committeeperson for the Parsippany Democratic Committee, Councilmember McCarthy has also been vice-chair and more recently, Chair of the local organization. Although almost half of the 78 seats remain vacant on the ballot this year, McCarthy’s District 5 has three people running for two spots and McCarthy appears to be the odd person out.
Prior to the filing deadline, Matt Clarkin, Chair of the Parsippany Dems, submitted to the Township Clerk 37 of the total 38 petitions filed for the County Committee. All candidates were given the coveted “party-line” except one, McCarthy.
When questioned about this, Clarkin replied in an email to Parsippany Focus, “in order to be on the Democratic line, candidates need to file with MCDC’s slogan, “Morris County Democratic Committee, Inc.” Janice did not file with that slogan (or any slogan), and was thus not eligible to be on the Democratic line.” Clarkin also sits as a Commissioner on the Morris County Board of Elections and served as the former Chief of Staff to Mayor Soriano before abruptly leaving that position earlier this year.
When asked for a response to Clarkin’s email, Councilmember McCarthy disagreed with his characterization of events explaining “In February, I was advised by a member of the Parsippany Democratic Committee that the Chair, Matt Clarkin, would not be awarding my candidacy the Committee’s endorsement and a position on the ballot under the MCDC line. Apparently, there were rumors that Mr. Clarkin was actively recruiting candidates to run in District 5 under the county-endorsed ballot position. Sadly, it appears this decision was made prior to my petition being filed and any omission in my petition being claimed.”
Both events came as a surprise especially considering my ten-plus years’ service to the party and my productive tenure on the township committee. The comments made by the chair are disheartening to hear, claiming the error was on my part. It is my understanding as a former Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee that it has always been the responsibility of the Chair to ensure that all endorsed candidates on the county-line have the correct slogan affixed to their petition. Unfortunately, no attempts were made to notify me that the slogan was omitted.
Speaking as a former Co-Chair of the committee myself, I believe the endorsement process surrounding the county-line must improve for the next election to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future. As the highest vote-getter in the 2017 election for any council candidate in Parsippany and an elected official who has represented the interests of all in our Township, it is a disappointment, but I’m looking forward to earning the votes of Democrats in my district and continuing to represent them in the party should I earn their vote,” said McCarthy.
This will be the first County Committee race since the passing of former Mayor Mimi Letts, and long-serving member, Robert Keller. Notably, several other long-serving committee members that have decided against running for re-election to the County Committee this year include current Councilmember Emily Peterson, former Councilmember Jonathan Nelson, former Chair Julie Peterson, as well as her husband Bob.
MORRIS COUNTY — An armed Wharton man was arrested Saturday in Morris Township on weapons and aggravated assault charges, stemming from alleged incidents this month in Dover and Rockaway Township, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Steven Retana, 21, had a handgun when he was apprehended at a residence on Lindsley Drive, according to Acting Prosecutor Robert Carroll.
Retana was apprehended on Saturday, May 22, in Morris Township after an investigation into multiple incidents involving the use and possession of a handgun. The initial investigation started after a report that Retana allegedly threatened and pointed a handgun at an individual in Dover on or about May 10. Authorities were once again investigating Retana for a similar incident that occurred on the evening of May 21, in Rockaway Township. In this incident, Retana was again suspected of making threats and pointing a handgun at another person. At the time of his arrest, Retana was found to be in possession of a handgun. The defendant was apprehended on Saturday, May 22 at a residence on Lindsley Drive in Morris Township.
Retana was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, two counts of Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, two counts of Aggravated Assault, for allegedly pointing a firearm, and two counts of Terroristic Threats, along with additional counts of Certain Persons Not to Possess Firearms, all stemming from the May 10 and May 21 incidents. The defendant was transferred to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — The Kislak Company announced the sale of the Troy Office Center located at 1259-1269 U.S. Highway for $10,500,000.
Kislak marketed the property on an exclusive basis with Vice President Tom Scatuorchio handling the assignment on behalf of the seller, a private investor. He also procured the purchaser, Shree Parsippany Developers, LLC.
Mr. Scatuorchio remarked: “This was an extremely complex property to sell and finance given the current state of the office market. The transaction began in the early months of the Covid-19 crisis in May 2020 and took a tremendous amount of effort from all parties involved to close nearly a year later.”
Located on 10.55 acres of land with 670 feet of frontage on the eastbound side of Route 46, the property consists of four well-maintained adjacent office buildings totaling approximately 126,000 square feet on the heavily trafficked corridor near Route 80. Hotels, daycare, banks, and shopping are within walking distance and nearby.
All low-rise buildings, buildings 1 and 2 are two-story with stairs and elevators, and buildings 3 and 4 are one-story. With a variety of tenants and occupancy at 79% at the time of sale, most leases have automatic renewal clauses, adding to the huge upside potential for the property.
With easy access to major highways, the property is less than 40 minutes to New York City, Newark Liberty Airport, and Port Newark/Elizabeth. Currently zoned O-3, and due to its excellent location and access, the property holds promise for partial or full redevelopment for other uses in the future, especially as envisioned by the buyer as well-situated suburban office space.
Mr. Scatuorchio highlighted that: “This is the third large office/retail deal, which I’ve closed with this purchaser in Morris County.” Morris County was ranked the 10th most populous county in the state as of the 2019 Census estimate with Parsippany-Troy Hills Township being the most populous area in the county, which has also been ranked as one of the top 25 wealthiest counties in the U.S over the past ten years.
Tom Scatuorchio joined Kislak in 2016 and specializes in the sale of retail and multifamily investment properties in Morris and Essex County, New Jersey. In 2017, he earned Kislak’s Rising Star award and in 2021, he was promoted to vice president.
Shree Parsippany Developers, LLC. was formed on October 22, 2020 and Bhagirath P. Maheta, Parsippany; Suresh Patel, Saddle Brook; and Jyoti Patel, Mountainside are listed as officers.
PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, May 23, a rally will be held at Smithfield Park at Parsippany starting at 3:30 p.m.
This rally is one of the many taking place across the United States in response to the countless recent attacks on Palestinians by Israeli forces. In the last month alone, 230 Palestinians have been killed by the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, including 65 children. Over 1700 were reported as injured and both numbers continue to rise at an alarming pace. Israel has reported 10 dead from the Hamas rocket launches, including two children.
Many Jewish people and Israelis are condemning the Israeli military for their latest actions against civilians. “Our main goal is to educate people on what is happening in Palestine with accurate information and unique perspectives,” says Medina Kandil, one of the youth organizers of the event. “This is not a Palestinian or Muslim issue, it’s a human rights issue,” another youth organizer, Noor Zaman, remarked. “The situation concerns people of all religions, races, and nationalities.”
The rally in Parsippany, which is the first of its kind in Morris County, will take place on the eastbound side of Route 46 at the intersection of Baldwin Road, followed by a teach-in on the Smithfield Turf.
The teach-in will feature representatives from organizations that stand up for Palestinians and their rights, such as American Muslims for Palestine and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Wesley Lebron, a Puerto Rican imam, and humanitarian activist will also be speaking, along with Madelyn Hoffman, a governor candidate for the Green Party and great-grandniece of Holocaust survivors. Additional parking will be available at the Parsippany Police Athletic League.
The event is being coordinated by four Morris County juniors: Nicole Piccininni, Noor Zaman, Sumaiya Rehman, and Medina Kandil in partnership with the Respect My Life foundation.
The organizers believe that efforts like this are necessary for bringing awareness to the cause and fighting for justice. For more information, contact: Noor Zaman, (973) 234-3426, nooruaz19@gmail.com.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling and Deputy Surrogate Chris Luongo presented plaques to Caesar and Deanna DePaço in recognition of the DePaço’s generous donations, both personally and through their business Summit Nutritionals International, to the Police Unity Tour.
The DePaços are long-standing supporters of law enforcement, having donated dozens of police K-9s to departments throughout New Jersey, Florida, and elsewhere. In addition, the DePaço’s have donated beds, food, and other supplies in an effort to support law enforcement officers in their efforts to serve and protect the public.
Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling will be riding in the annual Police Unity Tour, currently scheduled to take place in October 2021 after being canceled last year and rescheduled from May to October 2021. Darling has publicly supported law enforcement for years and is a member of the 200 Club of Morris County and IAPSNJ (Italian American Police Society of NJ), and past contributor to the Blue Magazine and Blue Magazine Radio.
According to the Police Unity Tour website, in 1997, Florham Park Police Officer Patrick Montuore conceived of a four-day, 310 mile, bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, DC to raise public awareness about law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, and to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten. Montuore’s vision is now known as the Police Unity Tour. The secondary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial.
PARSIPPANY — It has been reported that four patients were treated for contamination and one hospitalized after a hazardous chemical leak at Zimmer Biomet, 10 Pomery Road.
The Morris County Haz-Mat unit responded with several Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department 6, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 5, EMS crews, and the Morris County Medical Ambulance shortly before 3:00 p.m., on Thursday afternoon.
The Republican Primary to be held on Tuesday, June 8, includes Jamie Barberio and Lou Valori for Parsippany Mayor. Parsippany has a choice to make about the future of the town.
First, let us start with the major accomplishments of the two candidates.
Lou’s greatest accomplishment while serving on the Town Council was to decrease from 5 minutes to 3 minutes the ability of the citizens of Parsippany to address the Town Council about their concerns or issues. Lou did not want people speaking if they did not agree with his positions, he could not silence them but he could limit their ability to speak. Lou would also speak over people, cut them off, or question them while they were speaking to diminish their already truncated 3 minutes. This is all recorded on the Town Council videos.
Leadership is the ability to use an example, evidence, logic, and fact to bring people who may disagree with you or be on the fence to your side of an issue. Lou has never demonstrated any of these skills. People who don’t tow Lou’s party line are to be dismissed, detoured, and discouraged from speaking up or even worse organizing others against the party position. Lou did not want to let anyone lead others into opposition to his positions with skills he did not possess. Overall Lou supports his financial backers over the average citizens of Parsippany.
What about Jamie Barberio? Jamie’s greatest accomplishment in public office was to turn the town over to political parasite John Inglesino. While Jamie went around town shaking hands, John went through Town Hall shaking down the Town. While Town Attorney every action in the Town was reviewed and analyzed by Ingelsino’s law firm, along with corresponding billing hours, to bleed the Town of every possible penny. John would come to Town Council meetings and address not legal issues, but political issues, assisting Lou in suppressing people voicing their thoughts. John was not the Town Attorney, he was the Administration’s Attorney. US District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia Amy Berman Jackson, recently ruled that former Attorney General Bill Barr lied to Congress, the court, and the country. Bill Barr served not as US Attorney General for We The People, he served as the former President’s personal attorney. Here in Parsippany John did not serve We The People, he served first himself, then the Town Administration. John’s opinion was like Marie-Antoinette’s (bride of France’s King Louis XVI), “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”—“Let them eat cake.”
Parasites, like hemoglobin-sucking annelids (segmented worms without a backbone, ex. leeches) feed off the lifeblood of a host and weaken the host. Political parasites feed off the tax dollars of the town and weaken the Town. After the 2017 election where the people of Parsippany sent Lou and Jamie packing, I went to their least Town Council meeting and told them part of the reason they were removed was their fealty to the parasite. On Tuesday, May 4, Jamie held a first $900 per-person fundraiser at Nero’s Grille in Livingston, note Livingston, not Parsippany. The gathering featuring a prime rib dinner included John Inglesino hoping to return to
feed on the Town.
Bob Crawford wrote in Parsippany Focus that “based on his past failed record, (defined by incompetence, indifference, and self-interest), is unable to raise financial support from Parsippany voters and so has to return to the corporate fat cats who used Parsippany as their personal ATM’s during the years he was Mayor.
A serving of prime rib may have cost the likes of Johnny I and his ilk only $900 a plate, but should Jamie win, Parsippany residents will be paying off the inevitable “pay to play” tab off for years to come.”
Robert Blake in an email to Parsippany Focus said “Barberio held the first event as a mayoral candidate is a high-dollar fundraiser located in Essex County. It makes me wonder how passionate he is about taking this seat back from the Mayor he lost it to in 2017, Parsippany businesses are hurting as a result of the pandemic. We have a multitude of options right here in the township that would suit any type of political event. Hosting his kickoff event in Livingston is a slap in the face to the hardworking business owners of Parsippany who have been hanging by a thread for over a year now.” Seems I’m not the only person to notice.
In the Republican Primary on Tuesday, June 8, moving forward there is only one choice for Parsippany Town Mayor between Jamie Barberio and Lou Valori: Michael Soriano
PARSIPPANY — Law enforcement officers from the Parsippany Police Department will join with police from around the country in cracking down on unbuckled motorists and passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
Beginning May 24 and running through June 6, the annual “Click It or Ticket” national mobilization utilizes high visibility seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, in combination with local and national publicity efforts, to reiterate the life-saving value of seat belts.
“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for motor vehicle occupants to protect themselves on the road,” said Eric Heitmann, Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Crash statistics show that in 2017 alone, seat belt use saved nearly 15,000 lives nationally.”
In New Jersey, a key focus of this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign is to promote seat belt usage by adults in all seating positions in the vehicle, both front AND rear seats. The front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey currently stands at 90.23%. However, adults riding in rear seats are buckling up at a significantly lower rate, only 48% according to the most recent surveys.
“For whatever reason, there seems to be a disconnect with people feeling they don’t need to buckle up when riding as passengers in rear seats, and this is a concern,” Heitmann said. “By promoting back seat usage of seat belts during our Click It or Ticket campaign, we’re encouraging passenger habits that will save lives.”
2020 Click It or Ticket mobilization was canceled due to the Covid public health emergency. During the 2019 Click it or Ticket campaign, 343 New Jersey police agencies participated in the two-week initiative. As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 14,548 seat belt citations, 5,670 speeding summonses, and made 858 impaired driving arrests.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Savaas Iqbal graduated from the Governor’s STEM Scholars, a program of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. Iqbal is one of 69 New Jersey high school and college students to complete the year-long program, which provides a 360° view of New Jersey’s STEM economy through Symposiums, lab tours, masterclasses, and research.
A public-private partnership among the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Governor’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Education, the Secretary of Higher Education, and public and private research companies, the Governor’s STEM Scholars provides high-achieving high school, college, and graduate students with a comprehensive introduction to the state’s STEM economy. The Scholars are a diverse and representative group of student leaders from all over the Garden State who excel in STEM and are interested in pursuing STEM-related majors and careers.
“The Governor’s STEM Scholars will be graduated 69 of New Jersey’s most promising STEM students,” said Alise Roderer, Director of the Governor’s STEM Scholars. “As a Governor’s STEM Scholar, Shariqa Iqbal received a comprehensive introduction to New Jersey’s STEM economy, highlighting some of the most innovative and exciting STEM organizations in the state through symposiums, field trips, internship opportunities, and a research project.”
“With more scientists and engineers per square mile than anywhere else around the globe, New Jersey has one of the country’s most highly educated workforces and is a national STEM research hub,” said Anthony Cicatiello, president of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. “By 2027, STEM jobs will grow by nine percent in New Jersey. The Governor’s STEM Scholars introduces the state’s best and brightest STEM students to the STEM companies, professionals, research, and opportunities available in the Garden State. Through the Governor’s STEM Scholars, we are ensuring our state’s talented students stay in New Jersey to fill these roles, securing our academic and workforce pipeline for the future.”
Throughout the academic year, Iqbal, a sophomore at the Morris County Academy for Biotechnology, participated in four Symposiums highlighting New Jersey STEM opportunities in Government, Academia, Industry, and the upcoming Commencement. Each Scholar was led by college-level team leads, mentored by professional STEM advisors, and produced a viable research project.
As graduates of the Governor’s STEM Scholars, students will have access to the Governor’s STEM Scholars alumni network of nearly 550 students, which will enable them to stay connected to STEM jobs and opportunities within the state.
Applications for the 2021-2022 Governor’s STEM Scholars program are still open through June 11, 2021. For more information click here.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council approved a “Person-to-Person Transfer of Plenary Retail Consumption License” to Milagros Mexican American Grill on Tuesday, May 18.
Milagros Mexican American Grill will be located at 3835 Route 46, in the former location of TGI Fridays. TGI Fridays closed in December 2019 and have been vacant ever since.
Milagros Mexican American Grill was formed on September 24, 2020. Skender Gjevukaj, and Razalinda Gjevukaj of Norwood are officers/members of the company.
In a prior article on Parsippany Focus, it was revealed that the owners of Barka Restaurant are interested in purchasing the property for a “higher-end Mexican/Spanish restaurant.” (Click here to read the previous article)
Dear Editor:
