PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills (WCPTH) held its 38th annual “Tee off for Education Golf Classic” on Tuesday, July 9 at the Knoll West Country, their biggest fundraiser of the year.
Woman's Club Annual Tee off for Education Golf Classic
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Joan Garbarino and Diana Freidinger Co-Presidents with Golf Chairwoman Marilyn Zarzycki
Members and guests of the Woman's Club during the delicious buffet at Knoll County Club
Lora Rios Mcbride and Marilyn Marion
Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani and Councilman Michael dePierro
Some of the Tricky-Tray Baskets
Some of the Tricky-Tray Baskets
The golf carts were all lined up waiting for the golfers
The beverage cart sponsors
The golfers enjoying a nice day of golf at Knoll Country Club
The golfers enjoying a nice day of golf at Knoll Country Club
The golfers enjoying a nice day of golf at Knoll Country Club
The success of this event allows WCPTH to support many educational projects throughout the year which includes scholarships to deserving seniors in both high schools in Parsippany, Citizenship Awards at the middle school level and Reading Awards to fifth graders in all ten elementary schools in town.
The club also supports Eagle Scout and Gold Awards, Dr. Seuss events at the local library and much more.
They are so grateful to the generous merchants in town who support us with prizes and sponsorships for this event. All the proceeds from the Golf Classic benefit go directly to their Education/Scholarship Fund. They would like to thank the merchants and also the Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire Department District 6 for supplying ice that kept the bottled water cool for the golfers. Once again thank you for your generous support.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn, Assistant Prosecutor Reema Kareer, and Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Sandler will be lecturing on a wide variety of criminal law topics as part of the New Jersey State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education program throughout New Jersey. All licensed attorneys in New Jersey must complete 24 credit hours of Continuing Legal Education Courses every two years to remain in good standing with the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood was chosen as a speaker for the 2019 Criminal Law College seminar entitled “Handling a Criminal Case from Arraignment to Appeal”, which will be held on August 22, 2019. She will be one of four speakers on the panel instructing criminal trial lawyers as to the “ins and outs” of prosecuting or defending a criminal case from start to finish. As a member of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for over two decades, CAP Calderwood has prosecuted a significant number of successful cases including high-profile homicide and major crimes cases. She is currently the Chief Assistant Prosecutor of the Major Crimes Unit and the General Investigations Unit.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn will be a speaker at the Criminal Trial Advocacy Summer Institute, which takes place on October 5, 2019. The topic of the class is “Identifying, Preparing, and Presenting Expert Witnesses” and will provide those in attendance with important information covering the utilization of expert witnesses in criminal trials. As the Supervising Assistant Prosecutor of the Major Crimes and Fire/Environmental Units, SAP Schellhorn has significant experience in criminal trials. Chris is also a trustee of the Morris County Bar Association.
Assistant Prosecutor Reema Kareer was recently named as a Co-Chair on the New Jersey State Bar Association Government, Public Sector, and Public Interest Lawyers Special Committee. This committee provides a forum for New Jersey lawyers working in the public sector to discuss needs and issues related to their various areas of work. Assistant Prosecutor Kareer also served as a moderator for a program titled “Fostering the Public Trust: Public Sector Lawyering and the Poison of Public Corruption” at the New Jersey State Bar Association Conference in May. Panelists covered the impact that corruption has on the public’s trust of those in positions of power.
Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Sandler was named a Co-Chair of the Women Lawyers Section of the Morris County Bar Association. This committee provides an opportunity for extended learning and networking among female leaders of the Bar in Morris County. Assistant Prosecutor Sandler also facilitates the planning for the Continuing Legal Education program for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in-house training.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said, “We are extremely proud to have these exemplary Assistant Prosecutors at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. I am very proud that they have been selected by their peers for these leadership positions. Maggie, Chris, Reema, and Kelly are outstanding members of our office and are leaders among the Bar throughout the State of New Jersey”.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker announce three promotions effective on Friday, July 12, to fill vacant positions in the Prosecutor’s Office created due to retirements.
The following personnel will be promoted and assigned as indicated below:
Acting Chief Kimker, Sergeant Torres, and Prosecutor Knapp
Detective Supervisor Julio Torres to the rank of Sergeant of the Fugitive Unit within the Special Operations Division. Sergeant Torres has been a member of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office since June 2002, when he was hired as a Detective. Prior to joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Sergeant Torres worked as a support employee of the FBI Newark Division while he was attending college at Essex County College and Rutgers University-Newark. He was then hired as a Detective with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office where he worked for four years. Sergeant Torres has worked in various units in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office including General Investigations, Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment, Megan’s Law, Intelligence/Narcotics and Major Crimes Units. He is a certified Polygraph Examiner, a Crisis Negotiator, and a 5th degree black belt instructor in Jujutsu.
Acting Chief Kimker, Detective Supervisor Brandley, and Prosecutor Knapp
Detective Paul Brandley to the rank of Detective Supervisor of the Fugitive Unit within the Special Operations Division. Detective Supervisor Brandley has been a member of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office since June 2016. In that time, he has served in the General Investigations, Pretrial Services, and Fugitive Units. Prior to joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Detective Supervisor Brandley worked as a Police Officer for the Barrington, Rhode Island Police Department and the Pawtucket, Rhode Island Police Department where he was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant in the Major Crimes Unit. He has served as a Lead Firearms and Tactics Instructor, a Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Officer in Charge of a Gun Task Force. Detective Supervisor Brandley is currently a member of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team and Firearms Training Unit.
Acting Chief Kimker, Detective Supervisor Osaigbovo, and Prosecutor Knapp
Detective Spence Osaigbovo to the rank of Detective Supervisor of the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit within the Tactical Division. Detective Supervisor Osaigbovo has been a member of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office since August 2013. His law enforcement career began in July 2007 as a Patrol Officer with the Teaneck Police Department. Detective Supervisor Osaigbovo has been assigned as a surveillance team leader, wire room supervisor, and team leader of an FBI task force. He also played a vital role in a drug-induced death investigation in which he identified a heroin stamp and its dealer that subsequently resulted in the dealer’s arrest for first-degree Strict Liability Death. He has been assigned to the Special Operations Division, General Investigations and Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Units.
Following the ceremony, Prosecutor Knapp said, “I am proud to promote these exceptional members of our office. They have done outstanding work with our office as well as with multiple other law enforcement agencies. I know they will continue to serve Morris County with distinction in their new roles”.
I will keep this short and to the point. There is a very important meeting coming up with the Town Council on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. It is the the meeting where the vote to accept or reject the ordinance banning plastic bags in Parsippany will take place. It is a public forum and residents will be given time to speak. You are all invited.
If you would like to see this ban passed and if you think we should be more environmentally responsible as a community and if you think this is important for future generations to see us take action now then we NEED YOU to come on down to this meeting. A physical show of support is the best way to sway council members. Let then see the faces of the people they are working for. Let them hear your voices in support of a better future for our children. Let them feel your presence as you watch them vote on this ordinance.
I don’t have to repeat all the issues there are with plastics in our environment or give you a list of the dozens of towns or entire states that have already passed this ban. We all know the facts. But without this ordinance, it will be business as usual and the local stores will be dispersing tons of plastic into the environment of your town. Let’s put an end to this. We have a plan already in place to phase out single use bags, educate the town on the importance of this ban, and a way to get reusable shopping bags into everyone’s hands. But without this ordinance passing on July 16, we will be back at square one. In the meantime, the rest of the world has been banning plastic and moving into the future. Parsippany should be a leader, not a follower and you can help with this goal. Come to the meeting! Show you care! Bring your kids! Plan to speak!
It’s time to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. You will always be able to say you were there when Parsippany moved into the future.
MORRIS COUNTY — Summer fun kicks off at the Morris County 4-H Fair at Chubb Park in Chester next week, from July 18-21. Fair hours are 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Download the daily schedule here. Admission is free, but a parking donation of $5.00 per vehicle is requested. Friday evening, parking donation request is $10.00 to cover the cost of fireworks.
A wide variety of activities are lined up, including pony and hay rides, watermelon eating and cake decorating contests, demonstrations by nonprofits and youth groups, Dress-a-Pet and Dress-a-Cage contests, Cow Pie Bingo, wood carving demonstrations, archery, dunk tank, games, live entertainment and food concessions. Animal displays include dogs, horses, goats, poultry, rabbits, and other small animals.
A special $15.00 pay-one-price for all kiddie rides is scheduled for Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., and a $30.00 pay-one-price for all amusement rides will be offered on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday night will officially start the Fair with the Parade of Clubs and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Friday will feature fireworks, after the 4-H Graduation Ceremony, and 4-H Talent Show.
Highlights on Saturday include the popular goat races, Canine Nosework Demonstration and Sled Dog Demonstration. Fairgoers can take hot air balloon rides from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for $10.00, weather permitting.
Sunday highlights include the Radical RC 4-H Racers, open pet show and the 4-H Awards Ceremony.
Dogs may be brought to the Fair on a 6-foot leash. Retractable leashes are not permitted.
The Fair is sponsored by the Morris County 4-H Association in support of the 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
For more information about the Fair, 4-H clubs, or becoming a 4-H volunteer click here or contact the 4-H office (973) 285-8301 or email 4hmorris@njaes.rutgers.edu.
MORRIS COUNTY — Seniors Helping Seniors is looking for mature adults who enjoy giving back, are compassionate and are looking for the perfect part-time job.
The hours are flexible to your schedule… you tell us your availability – day, evening or weekends. Work as much or as little as you like. Perfect for stay at home Moms and older adults.
Supplement your income, stay engaged in your community and make a difference in the lives of an elderly person.
With the Seniors Helping Seniors (SHS) family you get all the good feeling of volunteering — for pay. SHS provides both rewarding work and financial benefits for seniors seeking flexible, part-time employment opportunities. If you are looking for a way to give back and feel good about the work you do then give us a call or fill out the online application.
Caregivers help seniors stay independent in their own home and communities. They provide companionship, family respite, cooking, light housekeeping, driving to appointments and errands and assist with leisure activities.
The job entails providing companionship, socialization, help around the house or running errands. For more information call Seniors Helping Seniors at (973) 435-4873 or (973) 534-7950.
PARSIPPANY — Mela’s Flavors of India is a summer highlight being held at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 1839 Route 46. Now in its third year, they wholeheartedly welcome all to come for an afternoon of live music, lip smacking food, and plenty of fun for families with an international flavor. The event will be held on Saturday, July 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The afternoon will include:
Live performances of local first-class ensemble of dancers and musicians bring it to life through classical and fusion Indian dance.
A most spellbinding performance from the super-accomplished students from SHIAMAK USA– it’s going to be really extra-special.
An interactive dance class for kids and grown-ups… all while the traditional instruments provide a brilliantly festive musical backdrop.
Budding artists can take part in a wonderful collaborative Rangoli – colorful, traditional Indian pavement-art (Mandala painting).
Shoppers can browse numerous stalls offering handmade jewelry, clothing, arts and crafts.
Children of all ages can let off steam in a sports zone or get creative in the Activity Zone
There’ll be a photo-booth, face-painting and mehndi (henna), for everyone to enjoy.
We’re also preparing a delightful spread of food and drinks, including: Pau Bhaji, Vegetable Samosas, Bhel, Thums Up, Limca and Chai. You’re not going to want to miss this.
PARSIPPANY — Radio Nashville will perform tonight, Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Liquid Church, 299 Webro Road. (Note: This event was moved to Liquid Church due to the weather).
Every Country Song tells a Story, and Radio Nashville does just that, with a Show that’s One Big Party. Covering the Best Modern Country Music from the North of Nashville.
A large majority of live music fans are listening to modern, pop country music, and Radio Nashville has the look and sound down pat. Performing the top modern country hits from Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, and Kenny Chesney, just to name a few, plus they play your favorite Country classics as well.
Radio Nashville brings something new to the market and pulls a new and emerging demographic to the venue.
If you have any questions, please call the Mayor’s Action Center at (973) 263-4262.
MORRIS COUNTY — College scholarships to four Morris County Vocational School District students were announced this week by the New Jersey Association of Counties Foundation at an event held on Wednesday morning, July 10, at the Morris County Board of Freeholders meeting in Morristown.
Recipients were Isabelle Chang of East Hanover, Rachel Thompson of Mt. Arlington, Sean Sequeira of Randolph, and Jaden Vnencak of Montville. All are recent graduates of the Morris County Vocational School District.
The scholarships were made possible by donations from Investors Bank, NJM Insurance Group and PSEG.
Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana, NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio and Morris County School of Technology Principal Lynne Jackson joined corporate sponsors in presenting checks to the students.
“We are really proud of these outstanding Morris County students who are being honored today with scholarships for their academic excellence and for their involvement in their communities,” said Freeholder Cabana.
“The NJAC Foundation is grateful to Investors Bank, PSEG, and NJM for their continued generosity, which has provided the Foundation with the unique opportunity to help county vocational-technical school graduates pursue their education at home in the Garden State,” said NJAC’s John Donnadio.
Isabelle Chang of East Hanover received a $500 scholarship from Investors Bank Foundation. Isabelle will attend Rutgers University in the fall to study linguistics.
Freeholders Doug Cabana and Steve Shaw, PSE&G’s Everton Scott, Rachel Thompson, Sean Sequeira, Freeholders Heather Darling, John Krickus, and Kathy DeFillippo, and NJAC’s John Donnadio
Isabelle is passionate about creating positive change, not just for herself, but for her community and even internationally. She has demonstrated this passion through projects such as assisting underclassmen in marching band and working provide clean water for villagers in Nicaragua. She is a founding member of the MCST Mock Trial Team.
Freeholders Doug Cabana, Stephen Shaw, Kathy DeFillippo, PSE&G’s Everton Scott, Sean Sequeira, NJAC’s John Donnadio
Rachel Thompson of Mt. Arlington received a $500 scholarship from Investors Bank Foundation. Rachel will attend Rutgers University in the fall, pursuing biology and the pre-med program with the ultimate goal of becoming a pediatrician.
Rachel Thompson receives her scholarship and certificate at the July 10 event in Morristown
She intends – as a future physician — to pay it forward by helping children and families in need obtain the healthcare they require, particularly (she says) by providing free medical care to families who face the difficult decision of paying for medical care or life’s basic necessities.
Sean Sequeira of Randolph received an $850 scholarship from PSEG. Sean will attend Rutgers University in the fall to pursue studies in engineering with the ultimate goal of becoming a computer engineer. For four years, Sean he was a member of the Morris County School of Technology’s Robotics Club and was a member of the Engineering Team, which worked on a project clustering census data for the Prudential executive team last year.
Jaden Vnencak of Montville received a $1,750 scholarship from NJM Insurance Group. He will pursue studies biology at Rutgers University in the fall. Jaden is described a “complete member of his school community.” He maintained a GPA of 4.47, was captain of the boys varsity basketball team, and a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, MCST Peer Leaders and the multicultural club.
He serves his community as a national and state-certified emergency medical technician, and as an Eagle Scout with more than 300 hours of community service. He is also a drug court volunteer.
Investors Bank Foundation presented NJAC with a check for $21,000 for scholarships to county vocational-technical school graduates who will pursue higher education at a county college or state college or university. Two students from each of the state’s 21 counties received the $500 scholarships.
PSEG awarded the foundation a $12,000 grant for county vocational school graduates who plan to continue their education at a New Jersey county or state college to study environmental science, green design, green technology, alternative energy or related subjects. Scholarships for $850 were awarded in each county were PSEG maintains a service territory or generation facility.
NJM Insurance Group presented NJAC with a check for $5,250 for three $1,750 scholarships, which were awarded to a student in each county where the company has headquarters – Morris, Mercer and Atlantic.
PSE&G’s Everton Scott, Freeholders Stephen Shaw, Kathy DeFillippo, and Doug Cabana, Rachel Thompson, NJAC’s John Donnadio, Freeholders Heather Darling and John Krickus, and MCTS Principal Lynne Jackson
MORRIS COUNTY — Looking for that magical puff to appear with everything you’ve wanted in life and more? Look no further, Puff will bring it all.
Puff is a ten-year old Maltese Chihuahua mix. He is a lovable, loyal companion once you break open his shell.
He was surrendered to a municipal shelter and was found shaking in his kennel. He is scared at first greetings but quickly warms up once you gain his trust.
One of the fastest ways to Puff’s heart is through food! This little senior will do anything if treats are involved! He also enjoys taking peaceful strolls in the grass and sunbathing.
Puff is a softie who enjoys being held and pet. He will quickly bond with you this way. Once he does, he will become your little shadow and want to go everywhere with you!
Puff needs a quiet home where he feels safe and comfortable. He prefers not to be around children since he becomes stressed. He enjoys the company of dogs who are relaxed and independent. He would be fine in a home with cats.
With patience and time, Puff will provide someone with an abundance of love. He needs a family who will understand his rough past and work towards bringing out his amazing qualities!
If you are interested in adopting Puff, please fill out an application by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
MORRIS COUNTY — “School districts shouldn’t have to choose between funding special education programs or providing services to other students,” Pennacchio said. “With extraordinary special education costing enormous amount of dollars, we must ensure every child has an equal educational opportunity without negatively impacting a school’s budget. My proposal would make certain that our most vulnerable students, regardless of their zip code, are provided with the resources they need to succeed.”
Pennacchio’s bipartisan legislation, S-3758, would shift special education costs away from school districts and to the State.
If a school district anticipates that the cost of providing special education and related services included in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) will exceed $55,000, that student would be considered to require a high needs placement. A school district would forward the IEP to the newly created Office of High Needs Placement Funding within the Department of Education. That office would be responsible for entering into contracts with, and making payments to, providers of the special education and related services for these students.
The bill establishes a High Needs Placement Committee in the Office of High Needs Placement Funding. The committee members will include the commissioner and State Treasurer, or their designees, and 15 public members.
Under current law, extraordinary special education costs aid is awarded to school districts as a reimbursement of costs incurred in the prior school year in educating individual special education students whose costs exceed certain thresholds. Unfortunately, the State has not been reliable in fulfilling this important responsibility, and the program is only 65% funded in the current fiscal year. This bill eliminates this category of State aid, instead making the State responsible for 100% of these extraordinary special education costs and making it impossible to shirk their responsibility.
According to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, more than half of a New Jersey homeowner’s property tax bill supports their local school districts. Senator Pennacchio believes that this legislation will provide providing significant relief to property taxpayers.
“The property tax crisis that many rural and suburban homeowners face is the result of a flawed school aid formula that provides little state aid to many of those school districts,” Pennacchio added. “Enacting this reform will lower property taxes, improve the quality of education, and protect New Jersey’s special education children. It truly begins the process of funding all of our children the same regardless of their zip code.”
This legislation is also part of a comprehensive and bipartisan “Path to Progress” bill package aimed at implementing essential fiscal reforms that will help to hold the line on spending and taxes. This Legislature took a first step in in this year’s budget by appropriating an additional $55 million dollars to reimburse a greater portion of the extraordinary special education costs incurred by school districts.
“I want to thank Senate President Sweeney for his commitment to help our most vulnerable students,” Pennacchio added. “I look forward to this bill passing the Legislature and becoming law this fall, and towards that, I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues, the Assembly, the Murphy Administration, and special education advocates to ensure that this bill is done right – truly protecting our most vulnerable children.”
Anything is possible if the right people are activated or employed; and everything has a beginning or end. To do nothing, to be apathetic is unacceptable, for that is exactly how we accelerated to the point of shall we say a dishonorable condition of cumulative effects upon our life and all things in it. We have been violated by the free market system of undemocratic corporate for profit motives, with no thought of impacts and exactly how all these materials and products would be handled or prevented from contaminating our landscapes, waterways and the great ocean. So we see it was lack of good government that allowed it to proceed to a crisis state, although, a crisis still not properly acknowledged by authority.
According to N.J.A.C. 7:26A-1.3, “source separation” or “ source separated” means, the process by which recyclable materials are separated at the point of generation by the generator thereof, from solid waste for the purposes of recycling.
Much of the blame is failure of authority to implement and enforce Mandatory Source Separation Laws on every level, from State, County and Municipal. The Mandates also intended to be organically linked to other laws and ordinances in relation; for example, street cleaning, property maintenance especially in commercial districts, and best practices in sanitation. What we have instead is streets, gutters, storm drains, sidewalks and parking lots littered with debris most of it plastics. These conditions are allowed to remain without enforcements due to “political convenience” of exactly what government’s intention is designed for to prevent. The problem is systematic which requires government, it cannot be passed off as some individual goal overall, this mindset only helps the violator and the real culprit of corporate irresponsibility.
The plastic bag ban would be the first step hopefully in a progressive stage to end the crime of plastic pollution unneeded products of convenience, which have many hidden costs all passed off to the citizen. Plastic waste is directly responsible for the failure of recycling overall, that and the lack of enforcements on all levels.
“As the value of recycling continues to fall the markets are being forced harder to clean up their waste-streams in order to keep the viability of the marketing of their end products alive. Parsippany for years had been using a recycling market that didn’t care about quality, which went bankrupt, and bad habits were developed in Parsippany where they accepted everything”.
These bad habits are still with us and things have gotten worse not better. Excuses like private property, other cultures, town is too big, can longer be used. We are all connected. A sad conclusion can be drawn, that concepts of private property have actually accelerated destruction of concepts of community; the street and common places have become no-man’s land.
In essence this is what petroleum into plastic is in violation of:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States..
Our common defense against plastic pollution is nonexistent and the posterity of future generations stands degraded, injured and in violation of the general welfare in the name of corporate irresponsibility and profits.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Freeholder Heather Darling visited the Daily Plan It in Morristown on Tuesday, July 9. The Daily Plan It is a business service provider offering mail and meeting room packages to businesses that do not need full-time dedicated office space. More importantly, while providing services to the business community, the Daily Plan It has a bigger purpose; to train and employ citizens with disabilities so that they are empowered through their contributions to society.
The environment at the Daily Plan It provides a professional setting for businesses while, at the same time, incorporates the perfect environment, equipment and support for the very specific needs of the individuals working within the business.
The Daily Plan It, Presents of Mind and Vaseful are New Jersey businesses created by Community Options Enterprises, Inc.; a non-profit organization whose mission includes developing and operating businesses that offer training and employment opportunities to people with disabilities. The goal of Community Options Enterprises, Inc. is to give disabled citizens an opportunity to contribute to society which, in turn, allows them to enjoy the same sense of pride and accomplishment that others obtain from their careers.
The importance of self-worth to individuals with disabilities is as important for any other segment of the population. Working offers individuals with special-needs a chance to develop their talents and expand into other job opportunities, gives a sense of financial independence, and helps them to connect socially.
MORRIS COUNTY — It’s that time of year again! In honor of its namesake date—and its birthday — 7-Eleven is giving away free Slurpees on Thursday, July 11.
The tradition has been around for well over a decade, with the first 7-Eleven Day taking place back in 2002 as a way to celebrate the convenience store’s 75th birthday. Come 2019, the store is the ripe old age of 92 and you can once again get a free cold drink in honor of the occasion.
So as to rein in the chaos, there are a few rules you should be aware of, starting with the time limits. It’s easy enough to remember: Free Slurpees are available while supplies last between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Thursday.
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) has been honored with the prestigious “Award for Conservative Achievement” by the American Conservative Union in recognition of his legislative voting record in 2018.
“I am honored to receive this recognition by the oldest grassroots conservative organization in the United States,” Pennacchio said. “I’ve always believed that overtaxed and vulnerable New Jerseyans deserve to have a fighting voice in Trenton. This award proves it is possible to be fiscally conservative and maintain a social conscience at the same time.”
The American Conservative Union Foundation is the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots conservative organization. Pennacchio received the “Award for Conservative Achievement” for his votes on key legislation during the 2018 legislative session. To obtain this designation, a legislator must score an 80% or higher on the ACU’s scorecard. Pennacchio has a lifetime average of 92%. In order to determine who receives this award, the ACU Foundation researches voting records and compiles a rating list for every state legislature in the country.
While Senator Pennacchio has been recognized as a strong fiscal conservative, throughout his tenure in the New Jersey Legislature, Pennacchio has also been a strong advocate for homeowners, families, and the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Earlier this year, Pennacchio introduced “Mallory’s Law,” legislation that strengthens and standardizes New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws. “Mallory’s Law” is named in honor of Mallory Rose Grossman, a 12-year-old Rockaway student who committed suicide after being the victim of relentless bullying.
Pennacchio has also led the effort to create a pathway to justice for those wrongfully convicted. His bipartisan legislation would create the “New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission,” which would review all aspects of criminal cases involving wrongful conviction in New Jersey and recommend reforms to reduce the likelihood of wrongful conviction occurring in the future.
“While I am humbled to earn this honor from the ACU, representing and serving the great people of New Jersey continues to be the greatest privilege bestowed upon me,” Pennacchio added. “No matter if I am fighting the good fight to lower taxes, or sponsoring landmark legislation to give a voice to the vulnerable, I always have the best interest of New Jerseyans at heart.”
PARSIPPANY — Morris County bridge crews plan to make emergency repairs to a culvert that partially failed on Friday, requiring the closure of a portion of Intervale Road in Parsippany.
The goal is to reopen the tiny span over a tributary of Troy Brook by the end of next week to minimize inconvenience to local residents.
County workers are planning to remove the debris from under the structure next week.
On Monday, July 15, weather permitting, county crews will excavate the collapsed area and begin installation of a steel plate or a concrete slab as a temporary fix that would allow the road to be re-opened by July 19.
The Intervale Road crossing, which sites between Lakeview Avenue and Ronarm Drive, is a single span stone masonry arch structure that was widened on both sides with reinforced concrete slabs.
The overall length is just 6 feet and the deck width is 31 feet. The culvert was built in 1900 and widened in 1940. It carries about 500 vehicles daily.
The masonry arch is deteriorating and needs replacement. A previous temporary plate was installed due to a depression that developed in the arch.
The county is expediting a project that will offer a long-term fix — a proposed three-sided replacement structure with stone-faced pylons and a four-bar railing. Work could begin in late summer or early fall.
The culvert will be closed to traffic during the project, which soon will be bid, with a contract awarded to have a new structure prefabricated off site.
MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM), recognized as a leader in the education of employees for advanced manufacturing, has been awarded a $4 million grant from the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to expand apprenticeship programs for the industry.
The USDOL’s Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies grant program focuses on advancing the development of apprenticeship programs in three areas: advanced manufacturing, information technology and health care. The program supports partnerships among educational institutions and the private and public sectors. These partnerships will create apprenticeship models to close the skills gap by providing key training and job placement opportunities and strengthening pathways into the workforce.
As a grant recipient, CCM will lead a consortium of New Jersey community colleges to build a network of apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing as part of a project called Career Advance USA. CCM was one of only 23 academic institutions nationwide to receive the USDOL grant.
“With more than 7,000 manufacturers in New Jersey, the apprenticeship program will help bridge the gap to create a skilled workforce in entering a critically important industry in New Jersey,” said CCM President Anthony J. Iacono. “The USDOL grant further supports and strengthens our mission to be one of New Jersey’s major economic engines.”
“This grant award to support manufacturing apprenticeships is a great step forward for New Jersey’s knowledge economy,” said New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis. “The apprenticeship model offers a unique opportunity to blend classroom learning with direct workplace experience in a mutually reinforcing fashion, and we are excited about the possibilities of the consortium of community colleges led by County College of Morris in partnership with the leading manufacturing firms convened by the German American Chamber of Commerce.”
The German American Chamber of Commerce is a central partner in the CCM grant and will bring extensive experience and expertise with the German model of apprenticeship training to the consortium’s efforts.
Last year, Iacono, along with 11 other education and workforce officials from across the country, toured Germany to examine its apprenticeship programs. Funded by the Transatlantic Outreach Program, the tour focused on how the United States might make use of the German model to expand experiential leaning opportunities for students with the support of industry.
The CCM consortium includes Bergen Community College, Camden County College, Hudson County College, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex County College, Raritan Valley Community College and Rowan College at Gloucester. Together, they will work with national industry partners including Arconic, Glenbrook Technologies, Norwalt Design, Rosenberger, Siemens, UPS and other leading firms in New Jersey.
Enrollment for the apprenticeship program will target both traditional and underrepresented populations, including the unemployed, veterans, transitioning military, women and people of color. At least 1,600 individuals are to be trained through the program.
The USDOL grant is perfectly timed with CCM’s construction of a 31,500-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center slated to open in 2020 to meet the needs of those key industries.
Architectural rendering of the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center now under construction at County College of Morris
Additionally, CCM will be receiving approximately $500,000 as a consortium partner in the same USDOL grant program to develop apprenticeship programs in health care. That project is being led by Bergen Community College.
“Not only are these grants an historic occasion for CCM but also for New Jersey and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, which also is partnering in the apprenticeship programs,” said Iacono.
PARSIPPANY — Join an open community dragon boat practices on Tuesday, July 9 at 6:15 p.m., on Thursday, July 11 at 6:15 p.m. or Saturday, July 13 at 9:15 a.m.
No experience necessary and all equipment is provided! If you’re looking for a good workout and new friends, stop by the lake and say hi! Wear active clothes, bring a water bottle, and bring a friend.
Come try dragon boat for FREE! We can’t wait to meet you.
Street parking is available and we have all equipment (life jacket, paddle) for you to use. Park on Garfield Road or Glassboro Road off of Lake Shore Drive and meet us at the dock. We also have a secure locker for you to put your valuables in while on the water.
PARSIPPANY — Applebee’s® restaurants nationwide are teaming up with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for their 15th year in the fight against childhood cancer and to fund pediatric cancer research and family support programs. Applebee’s is located at 1057 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center.
Again this year, neighbors who visit any of the more than 1,000 participating Applebee’s restaurants now through August 11 can purchase lemon-shaped pin-up cards in $1 and $5 increments which will go directly back to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Guests can also enjoy a Quencher Lemonade, new Rainbow Lemonade or regular lemonade when dining in and a portion of the proceeds will be donated and will help children impacted by cancer, the leading cause of death in children under 19.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was established in 2005 to continue the mission of four-year-old Alexandra Scott. While fighting her own battle against cancer, Alex set up a lemonade stand in her front yard to raise money for “doctors to find a cure” for all childhood cancers. One in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they turn 20 and yet pediatric cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded.
Guests who cannot make it into a restaurant but want to contribute can click here to find a local participating restaurant and learn about additional ways to join in the fundraising efforts.
“Our 15-year partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is deeply important to our Applebee’s family and to our local neighborhoods. We believe in the power of ‘Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood,’ and I am personally proud of the more than $10.2 million that we have raised throughout the years and the good that this money has been able to do by finding cures for childhood cancers,” said John Cywinski, Applebee’s President. “We are grateful to all who will join our efforts this summer to make a difference, one cup at a time.”
“Applebee’s was one of our first and continues to be one of our most dedicated supporters of Alex’s mission. Watching their restaurants turn into lemonade stands each summer and seeing how their local communities rally together in support of our Foundation, makes me tremendously proud,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s Mom and Co-Executive Director, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “It is because of this great work and dedication that we have been able to break new ground in pediatric cancer research and help children who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to get life-saving treatment. We look forward to saving more lives together.”
PARSIPPANY — Global commercial real estate advisory firm Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) announced it has arranged a new long-term lease for Vitaquest International LLC (Vitaquest), a nutritional and functional foods manufacturer, at 100 Jefferson Road. NKF Managing Director James Ritman of the Stamford office and Associate Director Trevor Patterson of the Rutherford office represented Vitaquest in this transaction.
Vitaquest will occupy the Pomeroy Suite within 100 Jefferson Road and have more than 200,000-square-foot of industrial space in total for a new manufacturing and distribution facility as it continues to expand its nutraceutical and functional food product development and manufacturing operations in New Jersey. Vitaquest already has operations in West Caldwell and Fairfield.
“Northern New Jersey continues to be a strong market for industrial space with extremely low vacancy rates, making it challenging for tenants in the market looking to expand their operations,” said Patterson. “Through a collaborative effort between our teams in New Jersey and Connecticut we were able to develop a clear understanding of what Vitaquest needed and find them a perfect space in 100 Jefferson to expand their operations in a strong and growing market,” added Ritman.
“As Vitaquest has continued to build its business at an exceptional pace, it has become necessary to further expand our operational capabilities in order to best serve our growing customer base. Our new facility at 100 Jefferson will allow us to continue to flourish within the nutraceutical industry while providing the best possible service to our customers,” said Scott Yagoda, general counsel and executive vice president at Vitaquest. “Partnering with the NKF tri-state team played an integral part in allowing us to find the perfect facility to meet our needs.”
The Northern New Jersey industrial market has recorded 16 consecutive quarters of positive net absorption. It has seen persistent demand for industrial space, with leasing activity over the past year amounting to 20 million square feet. Vacancy rates averaged 4.5% at the end of first quarter 2019, making it increasingly challenging for tenants in the market to find space.
100 Jefferson Road is owned by Turnbridge Equities. They sourced the acquisition in October 2018 of this 553,000 square feet industrial warehouse, which includes ceiling heights of up to 38’ tall with 25 loading docks, in joint venture with Harbor Group International.