PARSIPPANY — The Friends of the Parsippany Library will be holding and e-waste recycling event in the parking lot of the Parsippany Main Library on Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Accepted items include computers, computer accessories (mouse, keyboards, wires, and cords), printers, copy machines, fax machines, scanners, AV components (VCR, DVD, CD, cassette, record, and 8-track players, radios, phones (telephones and cell phones), small kitchen appliances (toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, can openers, and blenders), vacuums (with dust bags or cans emptied), and LCD monitors.

For just $5.00 per item or banker’s box, the Friends will arrange for these items to be donated to Green Vision Inc., who provides vocational training and employment opportunities for students and adults with developmental disabilities.  Program participants will disassemble donated items to prepare them for recycling and conversion into reusable materials.

All funds raised from this event will go to the library to purchase materials and programs.

Since 1984, The Friends of the Parsippany Library have been committed to improving our libraries by raising funds that may be used in various ways, such as to sponsor events and programs; supplement children’s programs; and purchase books, computers, software and audio visual materials.

Funds come from book sales, revenue from “The Book Nook” (the Friends’ used book store) and various fundraisers.  The remainder of the budget is made up of annual dues paid by the membership (whether individual or corporate), donations, and grants.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the growth of Parsippany’s libraries, visit the Friends of the Parsippany Library website by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted this week to protect New Jersey’s 130 miles of coastline and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Coastal Marine Economics Protection Act (H.R. 1941) passed in the House last night with bipartisan support. It would establish a permanent moratorium on oil and gas leasing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act (H.R. 1146) that passed today is a bipartisan proposal to repeal a provision of the 2017 tax bill that opened the coastal plain of ANWR to oil and gas leasing developments.

“New Jersey’s coastline is a precious resource that sustains our environment, fishing industry, and tourism economy,” said Representative Sherrill. “Offshore drilling puts all three of those things at risk. Congress needs to focus on growing our clean energy economy and following New Jersey’s lead by investing in a clean energy future.

“New Jersey residents recognize that opening up protected and delicate ecosystems to drilling presents serious concerns that extend beyond the Jersey shore. The first question I ever answered from a resident in our community was about ANWR. I will continue to work hard to safeguard our public lands.”

PARSIPPANY — Join the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills on Sunday, October 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to celebrate the Second Italian Cultural Festival!

Featuring local vendors, authentic foods, traditional Italian music, and more.

The event will be held on North Beverwyck Road.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker and Florham Park Chief of Police Joseph Orlando announce the arrest of Hector Cardona, 49, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Theft related charges.

On March 3, 2017, the victim, Troy Corporation (“Troy Corp”), reported an alleged theft by its former Director of Travel Services, Mr. Hector Cardona.

Troy Corp. alleged that Mr. Cardona had misappropriated corporate funds by using his corporate credit card for personal expenses and receiving reimbursement payments for expenses that he did not incur in connection with his employment at Troy Corp.

The investigation revealed that, between June 1, 2014 and January 31, 2017, he received reimbursement payments from Troy Corp. totaling $325,165.95. As of November 20, 2017, this account was nearly depleted. Further investigation revealed that the majority of his bank account outgoing transactions appeared to be personal in nature and not related to any business with Troy Corp.

The defendant has been charged with Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a, a crime of the Third degree.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Specialized Crimes, Fraud Unit; the Florham Park Police Department and the New York City Department of Investigations whose efforts contributed to the investigation of this case.

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 — You may be busy raising your family or serving as a caregiver for relatives and regret not having the time to help improve your community. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has a solution to that dilemma. On Thursday, October 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., you can help improve the lives of others and have fun while doing so by attending the Kiwanis annual wine tasting at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. This wine Tasting is the Kiwanis Club’s largest fundraising event with the goal of supporting programs that benefit children and youth.

The local programs funded by the Kiwanis Club include: sponsored youth programs in the Parsippany Troy Hills school district, such as Key Clubs in both high schools, Builders Clubs in the middle schools, and K-Kids Clubs in all of the elementary schools; Parsippany Day Care Center; Parsippany Library; the Stickley Farms family fun day and numerous other 501(c)3 organizations that serve children and families. In addition to this financial support of children’s leadership development and service initiatives, the club meets the basic needs of the less fortunate families in our community by providing food and food cards, toiletry items, and blankets through a partnership with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Community Center. The Club also supports state and national organizations that serve the needs of children and their families.

Joe Canal’s is a co-sponsor of the wine tasting event. The event includes silent and live auctions; delicious hot and cold buffet; wines and liquors; and an opportunity to help raise money and do good for others.
Tickets are only $65 each. Kiwanis is a 501(C)3 organization and your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

This year, Kiwanis Club is partnering with Sons of Italy #2561.

If you would like to purchase tickets, visit kiwaniswinetasting.com, or call Frank Cahill (862) 213-2200.

PARSIPPANY — Following a NJ Globe story where Democrat Mayor Michael Soriano attacked Councilman Mike dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani over a contractually obligated payout to former Police Captain James Carifi, the Republican Councilmembers released the following statement.

It is important to note that Democratic Council Vice-President Janice McCarthy – one of Soriano’s own Council allies – voted with dePierro and Gragnani in a bipartisan move.

“The motion pays Mr. Carifi the earned contractual obligated compensation when he retired in good standing. And I can’t speak to anyone’s motivation in this matter, but for me, after reviewing the information, in my opinion, it’s the right thing to do. I vote yes.” stated Council Vice President Janice McCarthy to the Parsippany Focus.

“Mayor Soriano is not being forthright, plain and simple,” said Councilman dePierro.  “First, he promised to work with us to resolve the longstanding Carifi matter, but now he wants to prolong it.  Second, and most importantly, this payout is contractually obligated and will have no impact on taxpayers.  Prolonging it made zero sense, unless you care more about political games than our town’s well-being.  The Mayor’s so blatantly misleading taxpayers speaks to his character, or lack thereof.”

“This was a bipartisan decision, as it took a Democratic vote to move forward,” said Councilwoman Gragnani.  “The fact of the matter is that the only people Parsippany taxpayers have to fear these days is Mayor Soriano and the two tax hiking budgets he’s passed to pay for his wasteful unqualified patronage hires in town hall.”

Submitted by Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani

PARSIPPANY — With Scooter, it is guaranteed that he will ride his way into your heart! He is a two-year old Boston Terrier who is a fun-loving boy with a stellar personality.

Besides the hysterical snorts and snoring, Scooter will never fail to entertain you with his goofy antics. Whether it involves doing ‘zoomies’ in the backyard or being clumsy, he will bring a smile to your face every day.

Just as much as he is a goofball, Scooter is also a total sweetheart. There is nothing like coming home from work and seeing Scooter’s entire body wiggle with joy. He then wants nothing more than to cover your face in kisses!

Looking to get in shape? Scooter will happily be your workout buddy! He would love to go hiking, jogging, or take long walks in the neighborhood!

He is housebroken and crate trained. Scooter wouldn’t mind living with other dogs as long as there is a proper introduction! He takes some time to get comfortable with their presence but once he does, he is more than happy to play and lounge with them. Scooter is working hard on his leash training and looks forward to working on it every day. Scooter would be fine living with kids above the age of 16.

Scooter needs a home that will provide him with proper structure and exercise which will allow him to thrive. He is a very loving dog but needs guidance to turn him into the perfect gentleman that we know he can become.

If you are interested in adopting Scooter, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
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PARSIPPANY – At the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting of Tuesday, September 3, Councilmembers Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani voted for a $425,000 payout to former police Captain James Carifi.

“Let me be clear,” Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano stated.  “I would be in full support of this resolution if it carried no risk to Parsippany taxpayers.  Unfortunately, this hasty action by the Council carries millions of dollars of risk.  My position has been and remains that we must fully resolve this legal saga in its entirety in the shortest possible time frame.”

dePierro and Gragnani’s resolution does nothing to resolve the still-pending lawsuits between the township and Captain Carifi, and may in fact extend them into the coming years.  Prior to Mayor Soriano’s inauguration, millions of dollars were spent litigating against Captain Carifi by the Barberio-Inglesino administration, coinciding with Paul Carifi’s run for Mayor against Barberio in 2013.  This disgrace was supported by dePierro and Gragnani, and has cost Parsippany taxpayers millions in legal fees over several years, according to Soriano.

Mayor Soriano continued, “Our administration has always sought to do the right thing, regardless of politics. That is why I called for a special Council meeting on August 27th: to give the Council a chance to hear from our attorneys in person.  This followed a memo to the Council regarding the legally appropriate ways to resolve these matters without damage to our taxpayers.  Unfortunately, instead of stopping to consider the consequences of their reversal, dePierro and Gragnani were no-shows.”

“The people of Parsippany deserve to know the fiscal danger their Councilmembers have put them in with this vote.  The Council should vote to release legal counsel’s memo to the public this Tuesday, as well as personally accept responsibility for putting Parsippany’s fiscal health in jeopardy.”

Despite the example set during the Barberio-Inglesino administration, taxpayers’ money should never be used to press politically-motivated lawsuits against rivals.  Municipalities have attorneys in large part to advise elected officials on the legality of their actions.  dePierro and Gragnani’s failure to heed legal advice could be their most expensive mistake yet, said Soriano.

Taxpayers should be in disbelief that this Council would risk leaving the township on the hook for millions more dollars, a direct result of dePierro and Gragnani’s years-long support of this wasteful litigation and their suspiciously-timed rejection of legal advice in voting for this payout.  Apparently, this is the cost of “Unity” to Parsippany taxpayers.

Council Vice President Janice McCarthy also voted in favor of the payout, while Councilwoman Emily Peterson abstained.