Monday, August 12, 2024
Home Blog Page 187

Shri Sanatan Mandir Donates to Parsippany Food Pantry

PARSIPPANY — It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on people all around the world, and among those who are greatly affected are people who are at risk of hunger. Food distribution teams have been working nonstop in order to serve those who do not have access to an adequate amount of food.

However, canceled food drives and decreasing numbers of grocery and retail supply sources have left food pantries struggling to provide basic necessities to people in need. With numerous school closures, increasing job disruptions, and major health risks, a growing number of individuals cannot afford essentials and are in desperate need of aid.

In response to these difficult circumstances, the students and student volunteers of Sanatan Mandir Sunday School set up a Virtual Food Drive to help those severely impacted by the virus. This food drive was led by student volunteers Suchit Bapatla, Abhilasha Salunia, and Shreya Shah, and it allowed people to help the cause by making a generous donation to the Parsippany Food Pantry, which contributed to the food pantry’s efforts to end hunger.

Students and student volunteers attending this school also put together a video that showcased creative projects that they were proud of, displayed their talents, and expressed their gratitude towards all coronavirus helpers in addition to explaining the importance of helping the less fortunate and supporting others during these hard times. The video was published on the Sanatan Mandir School Facebook page.

A special thanks to the Sanatan Mandir family and supporters for their gracious donations with which we were able to raise $2,500 for the food pantry. Additionally, thank you the Parsippany Food Pantry for not only allowing us to help families in desperate need of food and supplies but also giving us the opportunity to give back to our community for everything it has done for us.

Michele Picone, Director of Human Services is presented a check by Raju Amin

Parsippany Restaurants Offering Outdoor Dining

PARSIPPANY — Here is the most up-to-date list of restaurants offering outdoor dining in Parsippany. Please support local businesses and continue to use safe health practices. #EatParsippany #PrideInParsippany #ParsippanyChamber #ParsippanyFocusMagazine

Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B) South Indian Cuisine
Applebee’s
Bosphorus Restaurant
Bruno’s Italian Bistro
Buffalo Wild Wings
Churrasco Grill
Dhaba Express
Eccola Italian Bistro
Elmas Turkish and Mediterranean Cuisine
Fuddruckers
Gourmet Café
Honest Restaurant
Hoover’s Tavern
Houlihans
IHOP
Jashan by Dhaba
Kabab Paradise
Lake Hiawatha Dairy
Las Leyendas De Mexico
Marakesh Restaurant
McDonald’s
Outback
Panera Bread
Pasha Mezze Grill
Rayhoon Persian Kabob House
Reservoir Tavern
Sakura Hibachi Steak House
Singas Famous Pizza
Spa Restaurant
Tabor Pizza
Tandoori Flames
Valentino’s Pizza & Restaurant
Verde Ristorante
Village Restaurante
Wendy’s Restaurant

Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine, July 2020

Eccola Italian Bistro
Reservoir Tavern
Applebees – Parsippany – 1057 Route 46

Murphy Announces Support of Legislation to Change Term “Freeholder” to “Commissioner”

MORRIS COUNTY —  Governor Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced their support of legislation to change the term ‘freeholder’ to ‘commissioner’ in county governments across New Jersey.

In a joint statement, they said:

“As our nation tears down symbols of injustice, we must also tear down words we use in New Jersey that were born from racism. It’s past time for New Jersey to phase out the term ‘freeholder’ from our public discourse –  a term coined when only white male landowners could hold public office.

This is not a matter of political correctness; it is a corrective action to replace an outdated designation that is rooted in institutional prejudice.”

Murphy Signs Executive Order Requiring Wearing Masks in Outdoor Public Places

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 163, which requires individuals to wear face coverings in outdoor public spaces when it is not practicable to socially distance and keep a six-foot distance from others, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health, where the individual is under two years of age, or in situations where individuals cannot feasibly wear a face covering, such as when eating or drinking at outdoor dining areas.

“As I’ve said before, we know this virus is a lot less-lethal outdoors than indoors, but that does not mean it is not lethal,” said Governor Murphy. “The hotspots we’re seeing across the nation and certain worrisome transmission trends in New Jersey require us to do more. In the absence of a national strategy on face coverings, we’re taking this step to ensure that we can continue on our road back as one New Jersey family.”

License, Registration and Inspection Expiration Dates Extended

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles announced that License, registration and inspection expiration dates have been further extended.

Driver licenses/IDs, vehicle registrations, inspections, and temp tags expiring March-May now extended to September 30.

Those expiring June-August are extended to December 31.

See NJMVC.gov for details.

An Open Letter From Dr. Barbara Sargent

Dear Families,

I hope this letter finds you enjoying happy times with your children.  We celebrated the graduating seniors at outdoor ceremonies this week and it was bittersweet to see the students one last time.  What a blessing it was to be able to gather them together one last time before they head out into the world.

With the release of the 104-page guidance for the reopening of schools, The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education, from the NJ Department of Education and Governor Murphy’s directive that schools will re-open in September, we have begun the extensive planning necessary to re-open school.  A district-level Return to School Committee and School Teams have been established with representation from a cross-section of our school community.  Our guiding priorities in this important work include:

  • Protect to the greatest degree possible the health and well-being of students and staff;
  • Provide instructional consistency and sound practice;
  • Be sustainable in each of these key areas – –
    • School community health
    • Teaching and learning
    • Personnel
    • Finance

We will share a plan with the Board of Education at the July 29 meeting and with the broader school community by July 31.  In addition to the guidance provided by the NJ Department of Education, we also are carefully reviewing recommendations from the CDC, the World Health Organization, and the American Academy of Pediatrics as we develop a Return to School plan.

At this time, we expect to stagger student attendance, with half of the students attending one week while the other half participate in online instruction from home.  This would flip the following week.  Fridays will have a special schedule with the potential for a completely virtual learning day and/or special instruction occurring for certain students.  We will strongly consider the unique needs of special student populations, especially our special education students and English Language Learners.  We are committed to keeping families on the same schedule and will also work with families who wish to remain entirely with remote learning.

I recognize that anything less than a full return to school presents hardships for families.  We will monitor conditions continually and implement modifications – which may include more consistent attendance or, more likely, a return to full distance learning – as health conditions warrant.  We are in the initial phases of planning and there are many more decisions to be made and communicated.

Please know that we care deeply about ensuring that the start of the school year is a positive, safe, and comfortable experience for you and your children.  It won’t look like most Septembers, but we are doing our best to honor all that makes school a nurturing and engaging academic place.

Wishing you well,
Barbara Sargent, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Special Meeting – July 9, 2020

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council held a Special Meeting on July 9, 2020.

Click here to view the agenda.

Police Training Focus on Self-Defense Could Reduce Shootings Under New Legislation

MORRIS COUNTY — Police shoot less when they have the right training. That’s why Assemblymen Brian Bergen and Gordon Johnson introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to dramatically improve police training in New Jersey.

“Police officers only reach for their weapon as a last resort. Without proper self-defense training, it becomes the last resort faster than it needs to,” said Bergen (R-Morris), who served eight years in combat after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point. “I am keenly aware as a former soldier that in most difficult situations we fall to our highest level of training. Right now there are no training requirements beyond the academy for self-defense in an officer’s 25-year career and that is a scary thought.”

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson is a former law-enforcement officer and veteran who understands firsthand the training needs of police officers.

“The training we provide our police officers needs to encompass the full breadth of functions that are necessary for effective policing our communities,” said Gordon (D-Bergen). “A key component of this is self-defense. It has been overlooked, and we have paid the price on many occasions. It is time to fix this once and for all for the safety of our communities and for the police themselves.”

Police officers have had minimal self-defense training during the police academy and no self-defense requirements for the remainder of their professional careers.

The bill introduced Thursday increases self-defense training at the police academy to 148 hours from 40 hours and implements annual in-service training requirements of 104 hours per year for the remainder of an officer’s career. (Click here to download bill)

The idea came from Detective Paul Marinaccio, a training coordinator with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.  Under the leadership of acting Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo, The Union County Prosecutor’s office has created an environment that prioritizes training and pioneered efforts to look at police training differently.

“In order to effectively de-escalate a situation, an officer must be confident in their ability to defend themselves and survive,” explained Marinaccio. “A lack of ability will produce a lack of self-confidence, which leads to fear during a tumultuous encounter and likely to unnecessary escalation of force.”

Marinaccio is a 19-year veteran of law enforcement and serves as an instructor in force de-escalation, defensive tactics, firearms, and physical training.  He is also a black belt in American freestyle mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“The investment in training will pay itself back exponentially in the improvement of our ability to be both safe and effective in the most challenging of situations,”

Johnson has 24 years of experience with the Englewood Police Department, including time as the first African-American sheriff in Bergen County. He agrees self-defense training will go a long way to improve community relations and decrease incidents of excessive force.

“I am proud of this bi-partisan effort to actively improve the training of our law enforcement professionals across the state,” concluded Johnson. “We must continue to evolve our training to meet the needs of our citizens and this is the first step in the right direction.”

Clean Communities: Keeping Parsippany Clean

PARSIPPANY — The Department of Environmental Protection is awarding $19.4 million in annual Clean Communities grants to help municipalities and counties remove litter to beautify neighborhoods, improve water quality and enhance the quality of life, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced. This year, Parsippany-Troy Hills will receive $104,355.00.

In total, the DEP is awarding $17.3 million to eligible municipalities and $2.1 million to the state’s 21 counties. The program is funded by a legislated user-fee on manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors that produce litter-generating products.

Andrew Lefferts putting debris in the garbage bags

“Clean Communities grants help municipalities and counties with the important task of removing unsightly litter, often from roadways and around stormwater collection systems, to enhance the quality of life,” Commissioner McCabe said. “Beautifying our communities through these types of cleanups help improve water quality and natural resources while also protecting wildlife and their habitats.”

Justin Fitzgerald cleaning up the brush off the street
The group was cleaning along River Road, Lake Hiawatha. Earlier they were cleaning Lake Hiawatha Park
The group was cleaning along River Road, Lake Hiawatha. Earlier they were cleaning Lake Hiawatha Park
The group was cleaning along River Road, Lake Hiawatha. Earlier they were cleaning Lake Hiawatha Park

The nonprofit New Jersey Clean Communities Council oversees the reporting requirements for the program. Disbursements are based on housing units and miles of municipally owned roadways.

The young people were an enthusiastic group who seemed truly appreciative of being able to perform duties for the Township; they were paid through the Clean Communities grant, and they were very happy to have summer jobs.

Eddie Celardo

Clean Communities Coordinator Eddie Celardo said, “The program is designed to support municipalities in their effort to educate citizens and abate littered areas. They did a great job assisting the Road Department with the repair of catch basins, picking up garbage along the roadside, helping out the water department, and performing tasks to show how proud Parsippany can be.”

Carmelita J. Massefski Passed Away

PARSIPPANY — Carmelita J. Massefski, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

She was born in Newark, the daughter of Catherine (La Falce) and Michael Fatigante. At East Side High School she met the love of her life, Walter Massefski. Their love continued through 57 years of marriage, until the passing of Walter, and will endure forever.

Carm was a loving mother to her three sons, Walter and wife Heidi of Massachusetts, devoted sons Michael of Bailey, Colorado, Scott, and his caring wife Imara of Lake Hiawatha, and grandmother of seven.

For the past 34 years, Carm worked in the engineering department in Montville Township until she passed. She valued and took great pride in her work, developing many lasting friendships with her co-workers, who were more like family.

Carm was a wonderful, caring, and intelligent woman. It gave Carm great joy attending her grandchildren’s school, sporting events, and milestones. She would be seen quietly cheering them on, glowing with pride. She always put her heart in everything she did, showing those close to her how special they were. We love you and will miss you so much. We lost a great mother, a beautiful grandmother, and an amazing human being.

Carm was pre-deceased by her late husband Walt, mother Catherine, father Michael, dear brothers Michael and Jim. She is survived by and will be terribly missed by her sons and their wives, grandchildren, especially Andrew, Sophia, Max, and Victoria, dear sister-in-law Janet Marlow and husband Ray, sister-in-law Judy, sister-in-law Eleanor, dear brother-in-law Richard, brother Joseph, and wife Maryann, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved dearly.

 

Parsippany Community Update July 9, 2020

PARSIPPANY — Yesterday, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 163, which requires wearing a facemask in outdoor settings where social distancing is not feasible. While this doesn’t mean that everyone needs to wear a mask while outdoors alone, it does apply to all outdoor gatherings, large and small.

Two Men Sentenced in Old Bloomfield Avenue Homicide

PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Andrew Miller stated two men have been sentenced in connection with the September 2019 death of Jaime Lopez-Basilio.

On June 3, 2020, Rogelio Laureano-Gonzalez, 26, entered guilty pleas to second-degree Manslaughter and second-degree Hindering Own Apprehension before Judge Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr.

On July 9, 2020, Judge Taylor imposed a sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% parole ineligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act.

Also on June 3, 2020, Cirilo Rojas-Paulino, 25, entered a guilty plea to third-degree Hindering Apprehension of Another before Judge Taylor.

On July 9, 2020, Judge Taylor sentenced Rojas-Paulino to 291 days time-served in the Morris County Jail as a condition of two years probation.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Police investigating a death on Old Bloomfield Avenue

The investigation arose from a September 9, 2019 report of a deceased male inside a home in the area of Old Bloomfield Road, Parsippany-Troy Hills.

The investigation confirmed that a deceased male’s body was located inside a residence in the area. The manner of death was determined to be Homicide. The deceased male was identified as Jaime Lopez-Basilio. Two residents of the home, Rogelio Laureano-Gonzalez, and Cirilo Rojas-Paulino, could not be immediately located during the death investigation.

Subsequent investigation by law enforcement led to the apprehension of both individuals in California. Prosecutor Knapp said: “The collaborative efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and California brought these defendants to justice. We are very thankful to all involved in this successful prosecution and conviction.”

Business Administrator Keith Kazmark To Resign

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Business Administrator will be resigning to take a position in Woodland Park, where he serves as part-time Mayor.

Kazmark said “My heart and soul have been dedicated to Woodland Park for the past nine years as Mayor and during the previous nine years on the Council. This opportunity to also serve as the Business Administrator during this unique time, in addition to my role as Mayor, is an amazing professional opportunity and one I promise to live up to as we guide our town through this public health crisis and into the future.”

Kazmark was appointed to serve as Parsippany’s Business Administrator on October 1, 2018, at a salary of $165,000 per year.

Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Special Meeting Notice

PARSIPPANY — Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is scheduling a Special Meeting to be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held via a web conferencing program named WebEx. This program will allow the public to listen in to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential water and sewer rate adjustments and personnel matters related to the finance office.  Formal action may or not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken.

Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to speak during the public portion, they will need to provide their first name, last name, email address, address, and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.

For more information, please contact the Township Clerk’s office at (973) 263-4351 or email pthclerk@parsippany.net.

Kiwanis Club Donates $1,500 ShopRite Gift Cards to Families In Need

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill delivered $1,500 ShopRite Gift Cards to families in need.

Due to COVID19, many of the Kiwanis Club fundraisers have been canceled or postponed.  Instead of having our weekly breakfast meetings at Empire Diner, we participate in Zoom Virtual Meetings. Every member was asked to contribute to a “Breakfast Fund” to be used for a special occasion. So far we collected over $1,500 and put the money to good use by purchasing the ShopRite gift cards to be donated to families.

Cahill said “The Parsippany Food Pantry and the Table of Hope Weekly Food Distributions definitely help people in need, but there are items that just aren’t available at those outlets, so the members of Kiwanis decided to donate gift cards so they can purchase those necessary items (such items as paper towels, diapers, or milk).

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is the largest Kiwanis Club in the State of New Jersey with 78 members. New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany). Kiwanis members dedicate more than 6 million volunteer hours and invest more than $100 million in service projects that strengthen communities and serve children every year. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany ensures that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

If you are interested in learning about our club, we currently meet weekly on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. via Zoom. (Join us by clicking here). For more information click here.

 

Tobi Matthews joins SCG Advertising + Public Relations

PARSIPPANY — Tobi Matthews has been appointed director of new business development by SCG Advertising + Public Relations, a full-service communications agency based on 26 Eastmans Road. In her new role, Matthews is focused on developing client relationships, with an emphasis on consumer marketing.

Matthews joins SCG with more than two decades of advertising and promotional experience in the consumer packaged goods arena. In supporting a wide array of leading brands, she has been particularly active in branding and shopper marketing initiatives.

“Tobi’s background in cultivating new business relationships is an impressive one, and we’re excited she has joined our team,” says SCG Advertising + Public Relations Vice President / Creative Director Tom Marguccio. “As an agency, we pride ourselves in providing a wealth of different communication service to clients in many sectors, and I’m confident Tobi will help us to further broaden the range of clients we serve.”

A graduate of Post University with an MBA in marketing, Matthews also holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Post.

About SCG Advertising + Public Relations
Founded more than half a century ago, SCG (Success Communications Group) provides 21st-century communication services highlighted by creativity, passion, and innovation. With specific expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, social media, digital marketing, and recruitment, SCG is headquartered in Parsippany, with regional offices in the metro areas of Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa.

Additional information is available by clicking here.

Letter to the Editor: COVID-19 Jeopardizes Voters’ Safety — We Need Vote-by-Mail

parsippany focusDear Editor:

The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on all of our lives is clear. Even as some states begin to recover or even reopen, many of us are still worried about the health and wellbeing of our families, friends, and colleagues.

But I’m also worried about the impact this crisis will have on our elections. After seeing how it impacted elections already this year in places like Wisconsin and Georgia, I’m scared that this pandemic will jeopardize Americans’ ability to vote in-person in the 2020 election.

While some states are taking steps to help people vote safely, Trump and his administration are going to great lengths to make mail-in voting seem like a voter fraud scheme–even though Trump himself votes by mail. It’s clear that Congress needs to intervene and focus on what’s right for the American people in every state: expanding vote-by-mail and other voting options.

To keep voters safe, we need our representatives in the House and Senate to provide states with emergency funding to ensure that every eligible American can safely cast their ballot through the mail, that they can register to vote online, and that any in-person polling places are safe for voters and poll workers.

For this election, we must protect every eligible voter’s right to have a say in who is in office. The leaders we elect in 2020 can take actions that improve the health and well-being of all Americans, or put us at further risk.

I’m demanding that our representatives in Congress come together and provide economic relief for Americans and also ensure states have the resources they need to safeguard the 2020 election.

Nothing less than our democracy is at stake.

Sharon Lightbody
Denville

Parsippany PAL Saves 150 Lives with Blood Drive

PARSIPPANY —  Over 40 blood donors came out to support the Parsippany PAL community blood drive with their lifesaving blood. One unit of blood can help up to 3 different patients so 150 lives will be impacted from this blood drive.

The blood supply is at a dangerously low level due to Covid-19 and New Jersey Blood Services is desperately seeking large venues where blood drives can be held while maintaining social distancing. The blood center is unable to run bus drives so it is imperative these sites are found so donors can find a donation location. New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) reports that last summer over 1500 units of blood were donated on bus mobile drives that cannot run this summer to safely social distance.

If you would like to help save lives by finding a location and assisting in recruiting blood donors please reach out to SLynch@nybc.org. If you would like to donate blood, sign up by clicking here.

Extra precautions are being taken to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, or flu-like symptoms. Additional information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions are available by clicking here.

About New York Blood Center: Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) is a nonprofit organization that is one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers in the world. NYBC, along with its operating divisions Community Blood Center of Kansas City, Missouri (CBC), Innovative Blood Resources (IBR), Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD), and Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC), collect approximately 4,000 units of blood products each day and serve local communities of more than 75 million people in the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT), Mid Atlantic area (PA, DE, MD, VA), Missouri and Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Southern New England. NYBC and its operating divisions also provide a wide array of transfusion-related medical services to over 500 hospitals nationally, including Comprehensive Cell Solutions, the National Center for Blood Group Genomics, the National Cord Blood Program, and the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, which — among other milestones — developed a practical screening method for hepatitis B as well as a safe, effective and affordable vaccine, and a patented solvent detergent plasma process innovating blood-purification technology worldwide.

Translate »