PARSIPPANY — The Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced a bill (A5667), sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Ned Thomson, requiring pharmacies and hospice programs to provide patients with information and methods to safely discard prescription medications.

Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed a similar bill (S3240) in May of this year because he wanted pharmacies and hospice programs to offer a drug disposal method approved by an independent lab. Under this bill, the disposal solutions must render a drug unusable per federal regulations and meet DEP requirements concerning alternative disposal methods for medical waste that currently apply to the medical industry. In addition, drop boxes must follow federal Drug Enforcement Administration requirements for collected pharmaceuticals and use prominent signage.

“The importance of properly disposing of unwanted or unused medications and needles cannot be understated,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Our medicine cabinets can hold potentially deadly consequences if prescriptions like opioids get into the wrong hands.”

One in three Americans have expired or unused medication sitting in their bathroom cabinets. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 18 million Americans misused prescription medications at least once in 2017. A national survey found that more than 70 percent of people abusing opioids for nonmedical reasons get them from family or friends.

“My family experienced the terrible pain of opioid abuse when we lost my nephew to an overdose four years ago,” said Thomson (R-Monmouth). “I want to empower people to be a part of the solution by taking that extra step to safely and securely rid their homes of unused prescriptions so they can prevent a similar tragedy.”

Under the bill, pharmacies must have at least one method of disposal on-site such as over-the-counter deactivation solutions or secure drop boxes that are offered to the patient for purchase or at no cost. Patients also must receive information about the dangers of improper drug disposal and the ways to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs. Patients in hospice care programs who undergo changes in treatment that result in a discontinuation of a medication must also be educated about safe disposal and be offered a disposal method like an at-home solution or a secured collection box. In addition, information on the safe disposal of used hypodermic syringes and needles to prevent the spread of disease and accidental injury is also required.

The bill is named “Charlie’s Law” for Charlie Van Tassel who died at the age of 33 after struggling with addiction for many years.

The full Assembly is scheduled to vote on the bill this Monday.

PARSIPPANY — Award-winning cat-book author and Cat Writers’ Association Professional Member, Shawn Flynn, invited to join the Central Jersey Cat Fanciers for their 19th Annual Cat Show at the Hilton, One Hilton Court on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 3, 4 and 5, to share his inspirational pet rescue story.

Flynn’s book, “THE KITTY Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him,” is a heartwarming tale that reveals how the pets we love sometimes turn around and care for us (ABBE Road Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9987880-0-5, $9.95). His book was named a first-place winner in Top Shelf Magazine’s 2018 Indie Book Awards in three categories that include Animals/Pets, Novella and Relationships Non-Fiction. It also won a 2017 Readers’ Favorite Book Award and was an award-winning finalist in the 2017 International Book Awards competition. Flynn will be at the show all three days which is scheduled for:

Central Jersey Cat Fanciers 19th Annual Cat Show, Hilton Hotel, 1 Hilton Court, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 3rd, 4th and 5th. The show runs from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

“It is an honor to have been invited to participate in the Central Jersey Cat Fanciers 19th Annual Cat Show as they really have a great club,” commented Mr. Flynn. “With 4 out of 5 households in the U.S. owning at least one pet, I know that there are plenty of pet lovers in New Jersey.”

“One of those unique and compelling stories that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf, “THE KITTY Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him” is unreservedly recommended for community library collections.” –Midwest Book Review

“The story of Kitty and Shawn was very moving… I never expected such a heartwarming story to come from a man… I would recommend this book to all animal lovers, not just cat lovers…” –Readers’ Favorite FIVE STAR Review

PARSIPPANY — The Friends of Lake Hiawatha held their annual “Snowflake Festival” on Friday, December 6 at the Gazebo on North Beverwyck Road.

Everyone was served hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes as Santa arrived by Firetruck.

Santa greeted all the children and parents were taking pictures of their children.

PARSIPPANY — At the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting, Mayor Michael Soriano announced that the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will not be renewing the contract of Kemper Sports.

Previously Kemper Sports was the management company operating the Knoll Country Club.

Mayor Soriano said “Immediately we are starting a transition with Kemper Sports and we will assume local responsibility for the management of our courses. With that, we have offered Mr. Kevin Brancato.”

Mr. Brancato, is a member of the Knoll Country Club. He’s a member of the Knoll Country Club Advisory Committee and a successful businessman. We are giving him the opportunity to manage the transition and lead the Knoll utility as we move forward.

“Kevin, I welcome you and I look forward to working with you and the great things that you can do up there at the Knoll. I’m pleased at this decision was unanimously agreed upon by myself and the Township Council and the working group continues to plan for the future of the Knoll Country Club. This will include management, finances, facilities and the overall mission as to how we serve our members and guests,” said Soriano.

When questioning, Kemper Sports General Manager Osner Charles he said “I wasn’t aware of this change, and I will investigate.”

PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, December 7 the children at Parsippany Child Day Care Center enjoyed a breakfast and a visit from Santa sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.

Kiwanis members Nicolas Limanov, Joe Jannarone, Jr., and Craig Eagleson volunteered and prepared the breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, pancakes, bagels and muffins.

Kiwanis Club serves breakfast at Parsippany Child Care Day Center

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Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany invites Santa and cooks up a breakfast and supplies gifts for the children every year.

Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization in over 96 nations. The major emphasis is serving the children of the world.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany picks service projects that need attention. The Club is all local people that volunteer time and talents to make our community a better place to live. We, like you, are busy with making a living, church, family, and many other activities.

The children received wooden puzzles, coloring books and crayons from Santa as well as a goodie bag.

The Parsippany Child Day Care Center was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1968. They opened with 20 children and expanded to meet the growing need for quality child care in our community. In 1980, they moved into a new building specifically designed for child care and owned by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. During the 1990s, the building was renovated with two additions to the building, which made room for infants and young toddlers. They are governed by a Board of Trustees, who are volunteers from our community.

The facility was designed specifically for the care of children, and was built with HUD funding. The center has a total of seven classrooms, a large multipurpose room, a full service kitchen, offices, adult and children’s lavatories.

The center is comprised of a diverse population of families and staff. They come from a variety of backgrounds and speak multiple languages from all over the globe.

A very unique relationship exists between the center and Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Parsippany built the original building and owns it. A self-renewing contract allows for joint responsibility for repairs and building upkeep. Primarily the center maintains the building and the town maintains the property. They also have strong ties with civic organizations within Parsippany, including but not limited to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills and the Sons of Italy.

PARSIPPANY — Constituents are invited to drop off holiday cards for retired members of the New Jersey Fire Services at Representative Sherrill’s District Office in Parsippany, starting today through Monday, December 23. Holiday cards placed in envelopes should not be sealed closed. The cards will be distributed to residents of the New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton, the state’s only licensed healthcare facility dedicated to taking care of the women and men of New Jersey’s Fire Services.

“Writing a hand-written note to our retired firefighters is a small way to say thank you to those who dedicated their lives to keeping our communities safe and to spread some holiday cheer,” said Representative Sherrill. “Visiting the Firemen’s Home was a highlight of my summer district work period. It is a wonderful part of our community, and I look forward to seeing the creativity and holiday spirit our residents bring to this program to honor our retired firefighters.”

Representative Sherrill’s District Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 8 Wood Hollow Road, Suite 203, Parsippany.

Constituents can also deliver cards during at the Little Falls Mobile Office Hours on December 10 or the Wayne Mobile Office Hours on December 11.

PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, December 19, The Community Center will be closed as JCP&L crews work to install a permanent generator to the building.

Please plan you schedule accordingly.

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Community Center is located at 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha

If you have questions please call the Mayor’s Action Center (973) 263-4262.

PARSIPPANY — Neighborhood Civic Associations leaders in Parsippany met on Thursday, December 5.

“SOAP” presently consists of five Parsippany neighborhood civic associations (Hills of Troy, Sedgefield, Glacier Hills, Puddingstone Heights, Brooklawn) that are represented by their current presidents.

These leaders have been meeting for the purpose of sharing ideas, learning from one another, and proposing ways to facilitate inter community events, such as softball games. “SOAP” is a nonpartisan group that, when appropriate, will serve as a conduit to the township authority.

Meetings are scheduled for once every three months. We welcome and encourage any other Parsippany neighborhood associations to join the group. If you are thinking about forming a civic association in your Parsippany community, “SOAP” members will gladly assist in an advisory capacity.

For further information, please contact Warren Singer, Hills of Troy Neighborhood Association (HOTNA), singerwm@aol.com; or Carlos Guzman, Sedgefield Civic Association, MySedgefield@optonline.net