New Jersey may not “physically bar all entrances” to a gym that publicly challenged Gov. Phil Murphy’s statewide shutdown, a Superior Court judge ruled Monday, nor will the owners be held in contempt of court.However, the Atilis Gym of Bellmawr must follow state health department guidelines to combat the coronavirus or risk being found in contempt of court in the future, according to Judge Robert Lougy’s order.The gym claimed victory on Facebook, writing, “BATTLE WON, WAR STILL ON.”On Monday, owner Ian Smith posted a video saying they would remain open while following “safety protocols,” and h…
Senate Republicans to Sweeney: Form Committee to Investigate Nursing Home Deaths
MORRIS COUNTY — After months of inaction, the fifteen members of the Senate Republican caucus called on Senate President Sweeney in a letter (Click here to download) to stop delaying the formation of a special investigative committee to examine thousands of nursing home death, saying Senate Republicans are ready to take the lead if empowered to do so.
The full text of the letter is below:
July 21, 2020
Dear Senate President Sweeney,
After months of delay and inaction, it is time for you to formally constitute the investigative body that was promised to help us understand how the executive branch’s response to COVID-19 may have contributed to the massive loss of life in New Jersey’s long-term care facilities, with the goal of saving lives in the future.
Our caucus has written to you several times over the past two months to express the critical importance of this effort. For reference, our prior correspondence can be found on our website at the following links:
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- May 13, 2020: – Click here
- May 20, 2020: – Click here
- May 29, 2020: – Click here
- June 2, 2020: – Click here
We were cautiously optimistic that progress was being made when you joined with Leader Kean on May 22, 2020, to announce plans to create a bipartisan Senate Review and Recovery Committee to “investigate the surge of COVID-19 fatalities in the state’s long term care facilities,” among other things.
Unfortunately, despite the determination of Senate Republicans to move this process forward, no steps have been taken by the Senate Democratic Majority beyond that initial press release. No action has been taken to understand how flawed policies of the administration could be improved to better protect the tens of thousands of seniors, veterans, and residents with disabilities who live in long-term care facilities across New Jersey.
Various members of our caucus, including Leader Kean, have asked repeatedly, both directly and through staff, when the formal resolution would be voted upon to form the committee. We have asked for details of the committee’s membership and when meetings would begin. Every response at every level has been couched in uncertainty. There is no excuse for this delay.
As the weeks have dragged on into months, the situation in our long-term care facilities has not improved, nor has the need for our investigation diminished. Today, a full 50% of New Jersey’s COVID-19 deaths can be attributed to LTCs, no less than when we first called for an investigation in early May. Nearly 7,000 residents of these facilities have died, and the number continues to climb every day.
This has had far-reaching consequences impacting every New Jerseyan. After the administration failed to properly protect nursing homes, leading to a wildfire of infection and death, the governor pointed to data heavily skewed by extremely vulnerable LTC populations to justify draconian statewide lockdown orders. Had he been more transparent about how COVID-19 was really impacting New Jersey, it may have been apparent sooner that less damaging steps could have been taken to protect the rest of the state.
Even today, the repercussions of dangerous policy directives, misrepresented data, and arbitrary decision-making by the administration continue to impact New Jersey. Every single legislator, Republican, and Democrat, should have an interest in seeking the truth and working to develop thoughtful reforms based on what we learn. We know there are people who are waiting for the opportunity to tell us important and maybe shocking stories. We should give them a forum, and we should listen.
Surprisingly, it appears that many members of your Senate Democratic caucus do not support such an effort, wishing neither to vote for the creation of an investigative committee nor to serve on it if formed. Perhaps they do not want the public to understand how thousands of New Jerseyans may have died unnecessarily, or why a million of our neighbors needlessly lost their jobs. Maybe they don’t want to investigate the failures of a Democratic governor, or are afraid of retribution from his administration, as some have claimed.
Senate Republicans are ready to take the lead if empowered to do so. As Senate President, you have the authority to advance the formation of the committee, to put Republicans in charge, and to give us the subpoena power needed to compel witness testimony. If the majority party remains unwilling to lead in a time of crisis, especially in an endeavor that could save lives, it should step out of the way.
We continue to believe that the Legislature must utilize the full range of its oversight powers as a co-equal branch of government to demand accountability and improve transparency from the administration. It should be a bipartisan effort. One way or another, however, this special investigative committee must be allowed to proceed. The thousands who died deserve nothing less.
Sincerely,
Thomas Kean
Leader
Joe Pennacchio
Whip
Kristin Corrado
Conference Leader
Kip Bateman
Deputy Whip
Robert Singer
Deputy Leader
Chris Brown
Deputy Conference Leader
Steven Oroho
Budget Officer
Anthony M. Bucco
Senator – District 25
Gerald Cardinale
Senator – District 39
Christopher Connors
Senator – District 9
Michael Doherty
Senator – District 23
James Holzapfel
Senator – District 10
Declan O’Scanlon
Senator – District 13
Michael Testa
Senator – District 1
Samuel Thompson
Senator – District 12
Route 10 Westbound Ramp to I-287 Southbound to close Overnight
MORRIS COUNTY — The Joey Bella Memorial Fund will be holding an online auction in August. This event will help us to continue our efforts of providing assistance to our families as well as supporting local businesses that have been there for us throughout the years.
You can participate in this event anywhere in the world, on any device. Help us by registering by clicking here and sharing this event with your family and friends.
Registration opens on Monday, August 10. Bidding runs Friday, August 14 through Friday, August 21. You can view the gifts at your leisure, place your bids, and check back and bid often throughout the week.
Proceeds from this event will be used to provide financial assistance for medical care and related expenses of families with children in Denville and contiguous communities affected by life-threatening catastrophic illness. They are a 501c3 organization. Follow on Facebook or click here.
Joey Bella Memorial Fund Online Auction
MORRIS COUNTY — The Joey Bella Memorial Fund will be holding an online auction in August. This event will help us to continue our efforts of providing assistance to our families as well as supporting local businesses that have been there for us throughout the years.
You can participate in this event anywhere in the world, on any device. Help us by registering by clicking here and sharing this event with your family and friends.
Registration opens on Monday, August 10. Bidding runs Friday, August 14 through Friday, August 21. You can view the gifts at your leisure, place your bids, and check back and bid often throughout the week.
Proceeds from this event will be used to provide financial assistance for medical care and related expenses of families with children in Denville and contiguous communities affected by life-threatening catastrophic illness. They are a 501c3 organization. Follow on Facebook or click here.
Township Council Meeting Tonight
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its regularly scheduled council meeting Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Due to the ongoing 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. This program uses a “raise hand” button in the software to address those who wish to speak during the public portion.
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.
- Click here for the council meeting agenda.
- Click this link to access the meeting.Step-by-Step Guides
- Click this link for a step-by-step guide on registering to attend the council meeting.
- Click on this link for a step-by-step guide on joining the council meeting through WebEx.
For more information, please contact the Township Clerk’s office at (973) 263-4351 or email pthclerk@parsippany.net.
Sanatan Temple of Parsippany Donates to Sewa International
PARSIPPANY — COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on people all around the world. 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. Also, Temple families donated generously to help less fortunate and supporting others during these hard times.
Sanatan Mandir family and supporters were able to donate $1000 to Sewa International. Sewa International is a Hindu faith-based, humanitarian, nonprofit service organization. Sewa International is part of a larger movement that started in India in 1989 and is active in twenty countries. Sewa serves humanity irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, or nationality they specialize in disaster relief and rehabilitation.
A big thank you to students, student volunteers, teachers, and all the devotees who helped make this food drive a success.
“Also Sanatan Temple was able to donate $2500 to Parsippany Food Pantry,” says Raju Amin.
Rainbow Lakes Fire Company Recognized by Liquid Church
PARSIPPANY — On Monday evening, July 20, firefighters from Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company District 2 (RLVFC) were recognized by Liquid Church for their continued dedicated service during the COVID crisis. Members were treated to a Pizza Party catered by Anthony Franco’s of Parsippany. In this picture, several members pose after this evening’s training on fighting forest fires to thank Liquid Church for their support.
Parsippany Community Update July 20, 2020
PARSIPPANY — The transmission rate in New Jersey is just under 1, meaning that every person who contracts COVID-19 is on average spreading the virus to just nearly one other person.
Free Outdoor Classes at the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA
MOUNTAIN LAKES — As the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA always says, “You Can’t Spell Community Without the Y”, they are staying true to their word and offering free outdoor classes in the upper parking lot of the Y, located at 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes. The Y is centrally located where Mountain Lakes, Boonton, and Parsippany intersect, right off Parsippany Boulevard in Parsippany, Essex Street in Boonton, and Morris Avenue in Mountain Lakes.
The Y has been part of the local community for more than half a century, offering a health and wellness center with state-of-the-art cardio equipment, weight room, indoor cycling room, personal training, full-size indoor swimming pool, community service opportunities, wellness programming, summer camp, afterschool care at select schools in the area, youth fitness, kids zone, competitive swim team, a security-accessed Early Childhood Learning Center, and so much more!
There is no registration to take any of the outdoor classes, but as the Y has not been able to re-open due to COVID-19 governmental restrictions, there is no access to the facility. Please bring your own water, towel, and a mat. Here is the current schedule of free outdoor classes, open to all:
Mondays: Yoga from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and Body Blast from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Tuesdays: Yoga from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.and Boot Camp from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Wednesdays: Yoga from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and Body Blast from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Thursdays: Yoga from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and Boot Camp from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Fridays: Yoga from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and Boot Camp from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Saturdays: Boot Camp from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
As you can see, classes are held early in the morning so you are not in the excessive heat of the day. Should you wish to inquire about memberships so that you may take virtual classes and live outdoor spin classes, or need further information on any of our extensive offerings, please contact Rosemary Linder Day, Director of Marketing, at RosemaryL@Lhymca.com.
Suspect in fatal shooting at federal judge’s house ID’d as ‘anti-feminist lawyer’ with case before judge, reports say
The suspect in the fatal shooting of the 20-year-old son of a New Jersey federal judge and the wounding of her husband at the family’s home on Sunday has been identified in multiple reports as a self-described “anti-feminist lawyer” who recently had a case before the judge.Roy Den Hollander was found dead in Rockland, New York, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, NBC New York, The New York Times, The Daily Beast and New York Post reported, all citing sources.Hollander, a lawyer based in New York, had a case pending before U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas regarding the U.S. Mil…
Morris Museum presents “Jazz on the Back Deck”
MORRISTOWN — Live Jazz continues with sunsets and social distancing! They still have space available for “Jazz on the Back Deck” this Thursday, July 23!
Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to see Mariel Bildsten Quartet, while also enjoying a warm summer night outdoors! The concert will take place outside, atop the Morris Museum’s elevated parking deck. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., but patrons are welcome to come as early as 6:00 o.m. to set up.
Make sure to bring your own chairs and refreshments. Grab a ticket now to lock in your spot! We have multiple options for seating:
8’x8′ blocks, $50, maximum of two patrons
8’x12′ blocks, $75, maximum of three patrons
8’x16′ blocks, $100, maximum of four patrons
To purchase tickets over the phone, call the box office at (973) 971-3706. You may also purchase tickets online by clicking here. They are located at 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown.
Route 46 Daytime Lane Closures as Roadway Improvement Project Begins
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the beginning of daytime lane closures on Route 46 as a roadway maintenance and repair project begins in Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties.
Beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, until 3:00 p.m., and continuing daily Monday through Friday for several months, NJDOT’s Contractor, Schifano Construction Corp., is scheduled to close one lane on Route 46 beginning near the Route 10 interchange in Roxbury. This closure will allow the contractor to complete the curb and inlet work in the shoulder as part of a moving operation. Work will begin near Route 10 and shift eastward as the project progresses. Following the completion of curb and inlet work, overnight lane closures will be required for milling and paving.
The $17.7 million state-funded projects will mill and pave approximately 16 miles of Route 46 between the Route 10 interchange in Roxbury, Morris County, and the Route 3 interchange in Clifton, Passaic County. The project also will repave ramps and make other roadway repairs. The entire project is expected to be complete in 2022.
Variable Message Signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the interchange improvements project. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information on upcoming road or ramp closures.
The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.
Morris County Seeks “Communications Director”
MORRIS COUNTY — The Communications Director is a full-time employee who leads the Office of Communications & Digital Media. The Communications Director reports to the Assistant County Administrator. Currently, the Communications team is composed of the Director, a digital media professional, and a part-time photographer.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Development of deep knowledge of county programming and services, provided by the six departments, constitutional offices, commissions, authorities, educational institutions, and nonprofit partners.
- Execution of a public information campaign that enables constituents to understand county government and the contribution of the Freeholder Board. The Morris County Chamber of Commerce and County College of Morris are strong partners in this function. Innovation is key.
- Preparation of media releases on a daily basis. Close coordination with the County Administration and Board of Freeholders on the content and messaging of releases.
- Oversight of social media communications.
- Management of the county website, along with staff and professional support. A website redesign is underway, as is digitization of county form and online payment capabilities.
- Preparation and transmission of a weekly e-newsletter.
- Organization of programs and acknowledgments at the Freeholder work sessions and public meetings. Preparation of remarks on matters of interest that the Freeholder Board can deliver to concerned citizens.
- Arrangement of annual and special events, often working with the Clerk of the Board’s Office and other county partners, including the Annual Reorganization Meeting, Memorial Day Recognition, 9-11 Remembrance, and Veterans’ Medal Ceremony.
- Response to emails and other correspondence intended for the Freeholders or agency leads, which involves thoughtful interaction with all parties involved and consistent messaging.
- Preparation or remarks and oftentimes recognition resolutions for numerous events attended by members of the Freeholder Board.
- Coordination of photography or videography at various events. Arrangements with the Division of Buildings & Grounds to ensure locational amenities appropriate for each event.
- Oversight of physical/paper messaging, brochures, flyers, pamphlets, maps, that provide important information on county government and related programs and services.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Deep knowledge of the County of Morris and the government functions. Excellent communication ability, both written and oral. Ability to manage small team, but work collaboratively with a very large team.
A Bachelor’s Degree in a Communications relative area of study.
LOCATION:
Morris County Administration & Records Building
10 Court Street, 5th Floor
Morristown, NJ 07960
SALARY:
$100,000 to $130,000 dependent upon relevant experience
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Friday, August 7, 2020 by 12:00 Noon
Interested applicants, please fill out our online employment form. In addition, please submit a cover letter with salary requirements.
County of Morris makes all efforts to complete the application accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please the Personnel Office at (973) 285-6103.
EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled Contact
Parsippany-Troy Hills Main Library Now Open
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, 449 Halsey Road, will open starting at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 20. Curbside pick up will continue.
The Lake Hiawatha Library will remain open for curbside pickup only.
Do you recognize her? Please Contact Parsippany Police
PARSIPPANY — If you recognize her, please contact Lake Hiawatha Foodtown at (973) 263-9780 or Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department at (973) 263-4300.
She was seen on Friday, July 17 at approximately 8:30 p.m. leaving Foodtown, 435 North Beverwyck Road, with the basket of groceries without paying for them.
As people attempted to chase her, she flagged down a car and got in and left the area. She told the driver that she was being chased and she was scared. The vehicle was not involved in the shoplifting.
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2020/07/foodtown.jpg?resize=696%2C1183&ssl=1)
CCM Offers Students Several Options for Taking Classes this Fall
MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) is providing students with a number of options for how they can take their courses this Fall Semester so they can keep moving forward with their higher education.
The college currently is enrolling students for the fall and has built-in a high level of flexibility to make it easier for them to pursue their goals during these challenging times. It also is implementing a number of health and safety measures, as per federal, state and local guidelines, to protect the well-being of the campus community.
Students enrolling this fall will be able to select courses that are being offered in one of three formats: hybrid, online, and remote.
Hybrid Courses consist of a combination of traditional face-to-face instruction and remote or online sessions. This may include some on-campus labs with remote lectures, reduced in-classroom time, or other instructional designs that meet the needs of the course materials.
Online Courses were designed to be taught in an online setting. Unless otherwise noted, online courses were developed to be taught without specific meeting times.
Remote Courses were designed to be taught in a classroom but are being offered as a form of distance education due to the emergency conditions. Remote classes are completely online but include scheduled virtual meeting times when the class is to meet together.
To limit the number of people on campus, the majority of classes are being offered in the online and remote formats.
Students enrolling this fall also can select from a number of terms, ranging from 2 weeks to 15-week sessions. Students can search for courses and the format they prefer by clicking here. Use the Advanced Search feature to select one of the terms being offered this fall:
- 15 Week – September 9 – December 22
- Early Start 2 Week – September 9 – September 22
- Early Finish 7 Week – September 9 – October 27
- Mid Start 2 Week – September 23 – October 6
- 13 Week – September 23 – December 22
- Late Start 2 Week – October 7 – October 20
- Late Start 7 – November 4 – December 22
New students first need to apply to the college before registering for classes. Applications can be submitted by clicking here. Continuing students should talk with their advisor before registering.
Support Services Designed for Student Success
When the COVID-19 pandemic first struck New Jersey, CCM moved its support services online so students could continue to gain assistance to ensure their success. The Academic Success Center was expanded into TascPlus@ccm.edu to provide students with individualized online assistance from updating them on the status of classes, connecting them to a student success specialist or a counselor, to arranging for them to pick up any class materials or technology they may need. Included among the other services the college is offering online are Academic Advisement, Tutoring, and Live Chats with Librarians. To learn more about those services click here.
An Education You Can Afford
Each year, CCM awards approximately $12 million in financial aid and scholarships to its students, allowing them to pursue a high-quality college education at an affordable price. To find out more click here. All its classes, hybrid, online and remote, are offered at a fraction of the cost of most other online offerings.
Transfer or Gain Employment Upon Graduation
At CCM, students can choose from 50 academic degrees and a wide range of certificate programs. A number of programs, such as those in computer science, engineering, and hospitality and culinary science, are designed so students can seek employment immediately upon graduation. Numerous others are specifically designed so students can transfer their credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. CCM holds more than 125 agreements with colleges and universities across New Jersey and the nation to simplify the transfer process. A listing of those agreements can be found by clicking here.
Czar Alexei Sepe joins Kiwanis Club
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill welcomed new member, Czar Alexei Sepe, during a Zoom meeting on Thursday, July 16.
Due to COVID-19, Cahill met Czar earlier in the week to give him the membership card, membership plaque, and his pin, then officially inducted him into the club on Thursday.
Cahill said “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new member to our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Czar Alexei Sepe to our club.”
He is a resident of Lake Parsippany and has lived there his entire life. Currently, Czar is a senior at Boston College, studying Political Science and History. He graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in 2017. At Boston College, he is the leader of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service organization, as well as Vice President of a service club. Czar is also active at his university’s undergraduate student government as a class Senator. He enjoys traveling and discovering new cultures, most recently living in Beirut, Lebanon, and Dublin, Ireland this past year. In his spare time, he likes to sing, be civically engaged, and ride his bike around the lake.
Recently, Czar and his friends co-created Parsippany College Connect, an online platform for Parsippany high school students to learn from and connect with Parsippany college students, featuring an alumni directory, blog, and college FAQs. Born out of a need to help the community during these challenging times, Parsippany College Connect is a resource for students who are now deprived of the resources they would have as they transition into college.
In that spirit of helping others and giving back to Parsippany, Czar joined the Kiwanis Club, as he felt it was a natural fit for his personal drive for serving our community, especially the youth. Lastly, Czar hopes that more young adults join the Kiwanis Club, as it is a great opportunity to be part of an international organization dedicated to serving the world, one child at a time.
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.
N.J. coronavirus deaths increase to 15,684 with 176,551 cases as rate of transmission rises again
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey on Friday announced 20 more deaths attributed to the coronavirus and 202 more positive cases, while the state’s rate of transmission — a key metric officials are using to measure the virus’ spread and determine how to lift restrictions — increased again, to 1.11.“This means that each new positive case is leading to one more positive case,” Gov. Phil Murphy said during his latest coronavirus in Trenton. “We need to get Rt back down, to where we are actively slowing the rate of spread of this virus.”The Garden State has reported 15,684 total deaths related to COVID-19 — 13,710 confirm…
What will reopening N.J. schools look like? Here’s a preview of plans for 7 districts.
New Jersey public school districts have a few more weeks before they are scheduled to submit their proposals for reopening to state officials and alert students of their back-to-school plans.But several districts have begun notifying the state’s 1.4 million students of their preliminary 2020-2021 plans as parents weigh whether to send their children back to the classroom in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.More than 500 school districts around the state are expected to draft their reopening plans using “The Road Back,” the lengthy state guideline document released last month. At a minimum…
If you didn’t get the 20-week Unemployment Extension, here’s one reason why
MORRIS COUNTY — The N.J. Department of Labor said it has started paying 20 weeks of additional unemployment benefits to those who exhausted their payments. Before the extension, workers would receive 26 weeks of regular benefits and then 13 weeks more from a federal extension under the coronavirus relief law, the CARES Act. Benefits maxed out at 39 weeks. The extra 20 weeks, bringing the total to 59 weeks, was a great relief to workers, but some have reported this week that they haven’t seen the extensions. The Labor Department said every eligible claimant will be automatically enrolled in the extended benefits …