MORRIS COUNTY — With 99.75% of Morris County reporting results, unofficial results for the Morris County Freeholder race:
| Kathy DeFillippo | 14,918 |
| 14,444 | |
| Thomas Mastrangelo | 14,381 |
| Catherine Winterfield | 8,273 |
| Donald S. Dinsmore | 8,237 |
| William J. Felegi | 7,339 |
Editor’s Note: Updated Wednesday, June 5 at 12:06 a.m.
Cabana, Mastrangelo and DeFilippo will face off Democrat candidates Cara Parmigiani, Cary Amaro and David Timpanaro in the General Election in November.
PARSIPPANY — Unofficial results for the Republican Council race for Township Council is:
| Michael dePierro | 1706 |
| Paul Carifi, Jr. | 1548 |
| Loretta Gragnani | 1457 |
| James Carifi | 1161 |
Parsippany Focus will update these numbers as necessary.
There was no contested race by the Democratic candidates.
PARSIPPANY — The Bingo Club at the Parsippany Community Center holds their “Annual Tricky Tray.” This year it was Friday, May 17, 2019.
Each year they hold the fundraiser to support high school seniors with costs relating to college. This year they raised $2749.00 and were able to give two scholarships to graduating seniors at Parsippany High School and two scholarships to graduating seniors at Parsippany Hills High School $600 each.
PARSIPPANY — Lake Parsippany resident Avinash Kuna, 32, passed away on Saturday, June 1 during an accident on Lake Hopatcong. His body wasn’t recovered until Monday evening.
Avi, who turned 32 on May 28, went to Lake Hopatcong on Saturday morning with a group of his friends and co-workers and rented a pontoon boat to celebrate Avi’s birthday.
Approximately 10:00 a.m., Avinash got into the water and within no time started saying something is pulling him down and started screaming for help. He started flailing and was gasping for air. His friends tried to help him sending him additional life vests but unfortunately he couldn’t reach them. The situation got worse.
One of our friends (Jay) jumped into the water with a life vest but they had to pull him out since his vest came off too. Avinash started to drown in water. Everything happened so quickly. They were all terrified. Not knowing how to react, they called Bridge Marina and 911 for help.
Avi went down and that was the last they seen him. Due alot of weed in the lake and bad weather conditions, search was unsuccessful on Saturday. New Jersey State Police resumed the search around 9:00 a.m. Sunday with a dive team but did not locate Kuna, Sgt. Lawrence Peele said. The search ended at about 4:00 p.m. and again began Monday morning. The search was ending on Monday when the body was discovered at approximately 6:00 p.m. According to one of Avi’s friends, the body was found in almost the same area where he went down on Saturday.
State Police aviation, missing persons, and T.E.A.M.S. units led the search and used side scan sonar sub-surface detection equipment as part of their attempt to locate Kuna. A K9 unit joined the search on Monday.
Lake Hopatcong has 45 miles of shoreline and is located in parts of Morris and Sussex counties. It’s the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey and is open to swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, sailing and water sports.
Avi was a Senior Systems Programmer for United Parcel Service working at their new facility on Upper Pond Road since September 2018. Avi has over seven years experience in IT which includes almost five years of developing and deploying internet / intranet web and client server based applications, almost two years of developing Android based experience, five years of experience in database design and management and three years of experience in delivering reliable and cost-effective software development solutions and consulting services to clients across many verticals.
Avi woke up everyday around 6:00 a.m. and headed to work at UPS; when he went home at night, he would work on his computer until the late hours each night. On the weekend, Avi, always kept busy with his friends. Camping, trips to the city or riding a paddle boat on Lake Parsippany. Avi definitely loved the outdoors.
Avi graduated with a Masters degree from New Mexico State University in 2016. He also received a Masters` degree from Andhra University with a Masters degree in Computer Science graduating in 2010.
Knowing about this incident, his mother has been hospitalized in India.
Once the body is released from the Medical Examiner’s office, the body will be flown back to his native country, India, for his family and well-wishers to see him for one last time and to perform last rituals.
There is a GoFundme page set up, click here for more information.
PARSIPPANY — The employees and management of Parsippany Hilton / Hampton Inn celebrated Hilton’s 100th Anniversary on Friday, May 31 at 1:00 p.m.
Joining in the celebration was Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Councilman Michael dePierro, Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso, Executive Board Member Frank Cahill, Board members Ildiko Peluso and Nicolas Limanov and Hanover Committee Chairperson Barbara Freda.
Hilton, the world’s first global hotel company, celebrated its milestone 100th anniversary on May 31, in the midst of the most dynamic year in the company’s storied history. The hospitality brand that pioneered air-conditioned lobbies, in-room televisions, the computerized reservation system and even the now thrives in 113 countries and territories, with more than 5,600 properties and a new one opening every day.
It is a remarkable moment for a company that began in 1919, when Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in the tiny town of Cisco, Texas, to hosting over 3 billion guests, employed 10 million Team Members and contributed $1 trillion in economic impact.”
But the future looks even more exciting. With one of the industry’s fastest-growing pipelines across 17 distinctive brands, Hilton is doubling down to expand to more than 20 additional countries by 2020. There are already more than 2,300 hotels in Hilton’s construction pipeline, and one of every five hotel openings in the world is a Hilton.
Looking Back
Hilton’s legacy began on May 31, 1919, when New Mexico-born Conrad Hilton traveled to Texas with plans to buy a bank. While that deal fell through, Hilton’s pioneering spirit did not falter – he instead bought the hotel where he had been staying.
Through the times good and bad, Hilton continued adding new hotels to his collection. By the early 1950s, Hilton had established the first coast-to-coast hotel chain in the United States; opened his first hotel outside the continental U.S, the iconic Hilton Caribe in Puerto Rico; expanded overseas with the Hilton Istanbul, the first hotel built from the ground up in Europe after WWII; and became the first hotelier to appear on the cover of TIME magazine.
Soon, Hilton hotels would circle the globe, introducing and popularizing innovations that in many ways created the modern hospitality industry. This includes now customary amenities such as room service, a central reservation system, airport hotels and the well-loved mini-bar.
The Hilton / Hampton Parsippany is pleased to be in the Hilton family, and has the distinction as being the first dual-branded Hilton product in the world!
Hilton Parsippany and Hampton Parsippany are members of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
PARSIPPANY — Ms. Pamela L. Yin, 68, Morris Plains, was travelling south on Littleton Road (Route 202) approaching Dartford Road on Saturday, May 25, at approximately 12:52 p.m. and crashed into a telephone pole, closing Littleton Road for many hours.
Yin, driving a 2018 Tesla S, and veered to the left off the roadway crashing head-on into an utility pole.
She stated to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police, that she fell asleep while driving which caused the crash.
Eagle Towing towed the vehicle from the scene.
Ms. Yin was charged with Careless Driving by Parsippany-Troy Hill Police Officer Pasquale Parisi, who investigated the accident.
MORRIS COUNTY — Kevin Hasenbein, an intern for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, had a memorable weekend and the medal to prove it.
Kevin, who started his internship with the Sheriff’s Office on February 4, participated over the weekend in a Special Olympics Unified Track and Field event, for which he ran the 100-meter race and threw the shot put.
Kevin proudly wore his medal to the Sheriff’s Office on Monday. Great work.
Kevin, in 2018, obtained his Morristown High School diploma after completing his graduation requirements at a school in Chatham.
He returned to Morristown High School in the fall to participate in its Colonial Learning Independence for Employment program, known as the Colonial L.I.F.E. program, which assists 18 to 21-year-old individuals in learning basic employment skills.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department found a large unhappy snapping turtle attempting to cross Route 46 near Police Headquarters on Saturday, June 1. After a quick discussion about using crosswalks, he was safely moved off the roadway.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School held their Senior Prom at The Legacy Castle in Pompton Plains on Thursday, May 31.
PARSIPPANY — Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association held their annual open house on Saturday, June 1 at the beautiful Drewes Beach.
The day was full of events including dragon boat, swimming, face painting, food, playing in the sand, live music and the various clubs seeking members. Parsippany CERT, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3 and many organizations were present educating residents, and distributing literature.
Lake Parsippany Dragon Boat Club performed a “Flowers on the Water Ceremony” and the “Eye Dotting.”
Flowers on the Water is a special ceremony of remembrance to honor all those who lost eheir battle with breast cancer or still living with this disease and those who are in remission. It is a tradition in dragon boat racing that gives a moment to reflect upon gratitude and joy in the lives and the bravery and memories of those women and men who lost their lives to breast cancer.
Lake Parsippany is home of the New Jersey Dragon Boat Club. Dotting of the eye is an annual ritual of the New Jersey Dragon Boat Club during the open house day. 2019 marks the 19th year in which the NJ Dragon Boat Club has been at Lake Parsippany.
NJ’s 1st dragon boat club, started with a recreational crew, added a competitive crew and then a junior crew since their first visit to the Boat House.
This ancient Chinese Eye Dotting ceremony, “The Awakening of The Dragons,” features local and visiting dignitaries painting red dots on the eyes of the ceremonial dragon boat figure heads to officially “wake” them up.
You can join the many clubs for fun and community involvement.
Ladies Club meets on the third Monday of every month. The club sponsors programs for its members and guests, contributes safety and recreational equipment to the lake (through its fundraising program), and provide volunteers to the many activities supported by the Association.
Sailing Club meets the 2nd weekend in June at the Boathouse to provide sailing lessons to new members of the Sailing Club or as a refresher for existing members. All members must abide by Coast Guard safety requirements. For additional information, visit the Lake Parsippany Sailing Club website by clicking here.
Fishing Club meets once a month. The club holds special fishing contests, supports a catch and release program and solicits sponsors for our annual lake stocking.
Book Club meets to discuss books frequently during the year and is open to everyone.
Men’s Club meets socially on a consistent basis and the group assists with various LPPOA events.
Kayak Club The Kayak Club is an informal, participatory, seasonal gathering of interested paddlers.
NJ Dragon Boat Club is not a LPPOA sponsored club. 2017 marks year 17 in which the NJ Dragon Boat Club has been at Lake Parsippany.
NJ’s 1st dragon boat club, started with a recreational crew, added a competitive crew and then a junior crew since their 1st visit to the Boat House! Contact Ellen Law via the Dragon Boat website www.njdragonboat.org
Lake Parsippany is a private lake community quietly nestled in the center of Parsippany-Troy Hills, in Morris County. This 168 acre lake and grounds is fully funded and maintained by membership fees and member volunteers. They receive no State, County or Township funding. The Community welcomes everyone to join our association, regardless of where you live and enjoy a piece of the lake.
For more information, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Members of the Parsippany High School Key Club joined Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany for breakfast on Thursday, May 30.
The students were excited to tell the Kiwanis members of their achievements and activities during the school year.
Key Club is a student-led, high school organization. Our members make the world a better place through service. In doing so, we grow as individuals and as leaders by answering the call to lead, summoning the courage to engage and developing the heart to serve.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany sponsors students in all the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District. Parsippany Hills High School Key Club, Parsippany High School Key Club, Brooklawn Middle School Builders Club, Central Middle School Builders Club, Lake Parsippany Elementary School K-Kids, Littleton Elementary School K-Kids, Intervale Elementary School K-Kids, Rockaway Meadow Elementary School K-Kids, Eastlake Elementary School K-Kids, Northvail Elementary School K-Kids, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School K-Kids, Troy Hills Elementary School K-Kids, Knollwood Elementary School K-Kids, and Mt. Tabor Elementary School K-Kids. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany also sponsors a Circle K club at Seton Hall University.
PARSIPPANY — Lauren Calabrese, a 2015 Graduate of Parsippany High School, has been named to the Spring 2019 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University, in Bristol, R.I. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.
With campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, R.I., Roger Williams University is a forward-thinking private university committed to strengthening society through engaged teaching and learning.
At RWU, small classes, direct access to faculty and guaranteed opportunity for real-world projects ensure that its nearly 4,000 undergraduates – along with hundreds of law students, graduate students and adult learners – graduate with the ability to think critically along with the practical skills that today’s employers demand.
Roger Williams is leading the way in American higher education, confronting the most pressing issues facing students and families – increasing costs, rising debt and job readiness.
PARSIPPANY — Shuba Prasadh, a junior at Parsippany High School, and for as long as she can remember, she has been incredibly interested in computer science and technology. Thus, it wasn’t long before she realized that there is a gender gap in those fields – an issue that she knew had severe implications – and she knew she wanted to be a part of closing that gap.
In June 2018, Shuba applied for a grant from the National Center for Women in Information Technology’s (NCWIT’s) AspireIT program, which is a program that is designed to teach K-12 girls programming fundamentals and computational thinking in fun, creative, and hands-on environments. Her proposal was selected and she was awarded a $1300 grant from the organization to run an AspireIT program in Parsippany.
Shuba’s program, FemSTEM: Intro to Computer Science! (Click here) consisted of three Saturday sessions, each 4 hours long, and served 20 middle school girls. The program was free of charge for the girls, and they were also provided lunch, snacks, and free swag.
Many of the girls came in without prior computer science experience, but that certainly changed over the course of the program.
Shuba, along with her two co-instructors – Carolyn Reagan and Neha Deshpande – who are both seniors at Parsippany High School, taught the girls programming logic, coding with Scratch, creating webpages with HTML/CSS, and even cybersecurity.
However, they wanted their program’s content to go beyond just technical skills, as they recognized how significant a role computer science plays in our world today, and even more so in our future. Thus, they taught their participants the concept of interdisciplinary computer science (CS) – or how to combine computer science with their individual interests such as biology, art, and business. Additionally, Shuba and her co-instructors informed the program participants that women are a minority in CS, and that it can be challenging and intimidating at times. But they also made sure to explain how being part of an empowering community of women in CS can help so much. Lastly, they also taught the participants how to use CS to create positive social impact. The participants employed their technical skills towards this goal in creating and coding their final projects, which consisted of everything from interactive animations to creative web pages – and spread awareness of causes from battling climate change to promoting feminism.
Running this program was a transformative experience for Shuba, as many of her participants expressed how much they enjoyed it and were inspired and empowered by it.
Shuba Prasadh is passionate about technology – specifically combining it with various disciplines to create positive impact in the world. She is the founder of STEMFuture (Click here), an initiative that is creating accessible, next-level STEM education for the youth generation – centered around innovation, safety, diversity, and impact – to ensure that the STEM-filled future is safe and bright. Recently, she was selected as 1 of 25 national winners of the Ashoka and General Motors STEM for Changemaking Challenge, through which she attended an all-expenses paid summit to the General Motors World Headquarters in Detroit, presented STEMFuture to GM executives, and was awarded a $1000 grant from GM towards STEMFuture. Additionally, Shuba has received a Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award and she has also been named a national Daily Point of Light through the Points of Light Foundation.
PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, May 24, Parsippany PAL Youth Center hosted a “Cars & Croissants” Car Show.
First time ever ‘Cars & Croissants’, the informal club of automotive aficionados met at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center to show off a large variety of classic cars.
PARSIPPANY — It’s time to talk summer–the sun is finally shining and the temperatures are rising, which means it’s time to find your go-to summer cocktail. Look no further, because starting tomorrow and for the whole month of June at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, located at 1157 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center, and sip on the latest Neighborhood Drink of the Month, the $1 Vodka Raspberry Lemonade.
Served in a 10-ounce mug with vodka, TROPICANA® Lemonade, raspberry and fresh lemon juice, this drink will give you even more reasons to wish summer lasted all year long.
“Our guests always enjoy a refreshing vodka and lemonade cocktail, and we’re delighted to add raspberry to the lineup for the first time,” said Patrick Kirk, vice president of beverage innovation at Applebee’s. “The $1 Vodka Raspberry Lemonade is sunshine in a glass and light on your wallet – put that extra money toward your summer vacation.”
Or when dining in, put that extra money you’re saving on cocktails toward Applebee’s NEW Loaded Fajitas. Smothered with hot queso and sprinkled with crispy Applewood-smoked bacon, it’s fajitas like you’ve never seen before.
Price, participation and availability of the Neighborhood Drink of the Month may vary by location, and guests must be 21-years old or over to enjoy responsibly. Void where prohibited.
As always, Applebee’s reminds you to please drink responsibly.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Member Frank Cahill presented Michael Mendes with a certificate welcoming Technical Integration Services to the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
Joining Cahill in the presentation was Board Member Dr. Patrick Selimo, President Robert Peluso, and Board Member Alan Golub, Esq.
Michael Mendes said “Managed Service Providers can decrease the overall IT support costs of small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) by as much as 30% to 50%.”
“While a managed service provider can most assuredly assume full responsibility for IT operations, and operate as a remote IT department if desired, they can also be a valuable asset to an in-house technician or team. MSPs can support existing internal IT staff by taking on the more routine proactive and reactive daily responsibilities,” he continued.
For more information on Technical Integration Services click here, or call (973) 244-7844.
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce is a service organization for businesses, merchants, residents and volunteers that provides education, information and networking opportunities to the Parsippany Area.
For more information on Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce click here.
MORRIS PLAINS — The long wait is finally over. Chick-Fil-A will open its doors to the public on Thursday, June 13 at 6:30 a.m. The new restaurant is located at 1711 Route 10 East, Briarcliff Commons Shopping Center, Morris Plains.
The new restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.
Chick-Fil-A has selected Drew Blind as the local franchise owner of the chain’s Morris Plains restaurant and they are hiring of up to 125 new Team Members.
Drew, 34, grew up in East Hanover and currently resides in Morris Plains with his wife, Colleen and two daughters. He graduated Hanover Park High School and Lock Haven University. He was the former owner of Chick-Fil-A in the Garden State Plaza.
Blind is excited to return to his hometown where numerous family members reside and where his Chick-Fil-A career began. A Team Member at the chain’s location in Howell, Blind worked at Chick-Fil-A as a teen and during breaks while attending college at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
After graduating with a degree in business management, Blind and his wife, Colleen, moved to South Carolina where he worked on the leadership team at a Charleston Chick-Fil-A restaurant until his wife’s career brought them back to Pennsylvania.
Blind knew early on that Chick-Fil-A’s focus of freshly prepared food, genuine hospitality and having a positive impact on the communities it serves matched his entrepreneurial goals. Blind became director of operations at the chain’s location in Nazareth and began his pursuit of owning his own restaurant while also serving on corporate teams helping open new locations around the country. His dream of owning his own restaurant was realized when he was selected to operate Paramus location in 2015.
The new 4,700-square-foot Chick-Fil-A location in Morris Plains will offer indoor seating for 102 and patio seating for 20 as well as a two-story playground for children. The interior will feature the chain’s heritage restaurant interior design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including subway tiles, large windows to let in natural light and a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood. A single drive-thru ordering lane will divide into two lanes for ordering to enhance the chain’s award-winning drive-thru service before merging back into a single lane for pickup.
Named one of the “best places to work” by Glassdoor, Chick-Fil-A is known for hiring and retaining talent and offering a supportive workplace with opportunities for leadership development, respect for work-life balance and competitive wages.
Chick-Fil-A Team Members are eligible for the chain’s initiative, Remarkable Futures. In 2019, more than 6,000 Team Members will be awarded with $15.3 million in scholarships, one of the highest unrestricted per employee scholarship investments in the industry. Team Members, who are beginning or continuing their higher education, are awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,500 or $25,000 which can be applied to any area of study at any accredited institution. In addition, Team Members have access to tuition discounts and other educational benefits at more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.
Interested applicants can learn more by visiting www.snagajob.com or www.glassdoor.comand searching for Chick-Fil-A Morris Plains. Follow the new restaurant on Facebook at Chick-fil-A at Morris Plains for updates on grand opening events.
Atlanta-based Chick-Fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-Fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,428 restaurants in 47 states and Washington, D.C. Chick-Fil-A reported more than $10 billion in revenue in 2018, which marks 51 consecutive years of sales growth. A leader in customer service satisfaction, consumers voted Chick-Fil-A, Inc. fourth in Harris Poll’s annual corporate reputation survey, ranking the company fourth out of 100 in 2018. Chick-Fil-A was also recognized for customer experience again in the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings survey, was named “Best Franchise Brand” in 2018 by Airport Revenue News and was named one of the top 100 best places to work by Glassdoor in 2017. Continuing its founder’s legacy of generosity and service, in 2019 Chick-Fil-A’s Remarkable Futures initiative awarded $15.3 million in scholarships to restaurant Team Members nationwide. In 2018 the company’s philanthropic Chick-Fil-A Foundation awarded $1.23 million to 22 not-for-profit organizations across 18 states through the True Inspiration Awards. More information on Chick-Fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com.
Perdue Foods, a Bridgewater, Va. establishment, is recalling approximately 31,703 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of bone material, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.
The fully cooked chicken products were produced on March 21, 2019. The following products are subject to recall:
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. P-369” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered after FSIS and the company received consumer complaints.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website by clicking here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County has again received the top-ranked Triple A bond rating from the nation’s two largest rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., and Standard & Poor’s, which once again lauded the county’s stable management practices and fiscal policies.
The Triple A rating, which has been awarded to the county for a 44th straight year, benefits residents by allowing the county to take advantage of the best possible interest and financing rates, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
“This is terrific news for our taxpayers because it gets the county the best rates on our general obligation bonds, which saves our residents substantial dollars,’’ said Freeholder Heather Darling, who chairs the Freeholder Board’s Budget Subcommittee. “The Triple A rating reflects the value of the county’s strategic planning and budgeting efforts, which have resulted in our long-term stability.’’
S&P, in its analysis of the county, said its top rating for Morris County is based on several factors: the county’s “very strong economy, very strong management, strong budgetary performance, very strong budget flexibility, very strong liquidity, and strong institutional framework.’’
“Extensive, well-integrated management policies and long-term planning have helped Morris County maintain its excellent credit quality, in our view,’’ S&P said in its report.
Moody’s once again touted the county’s history of conservative budgeting, mixed with financially sound initiatives — such as the lease of the Morris View Healthcare Center, designed to improve the financial position of the county, as reasons for the top ranking.
It also praised the county’s sound debt policy, its substantial and diverse tax base and highly dependable revenue streams.
“Management has a history and formal policy of budgeting conservatively and maintaining a healthy level of fund balance … and Moody’s expects the county’s economic tax base and finances to remain stable going forward,’’ according to the latest Moody’s report.
Morris County has had a Triple A rating since 1975. It was the first county government in New Jersey to obtain the prestigious rating and is only the 11th in the nation to achieve it.
The 2019 renewed Triple A ratings were made after a county finance team, comprised of Freeholders, the County Administrator, County Treasurer, and others made presentations to the ratings agencies last month in New York.
“It is very difficult to achieve a Triple A rating,’’ said Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, a member of the Freeholders’ Budget Subcommittee. “By giving us a Triple A, the rating agencies are signaling that our government and financial practices are excellent, which is a benefit to county taxpayers.’’
“We are proud to continue this tradition of responsible government in Morris County, providing effective services and programs to county residents while being prudent about our spending and debt,’’ said Freeholder Deborah Smith, also a member of the Budget Subcommittee.
A Triple A bond rating, in effect, means the county has exceptional credit worthiness because the county can easily meet its financial commitments. The county can get the lowest interest rates when borrowing because a Triple A rated government entity is viewed in the financial world as having the smallest risk of defaulting on its debt.
That equates to lower borrowing costs, which allows for lower costs to finance capital projects.
Currently, the difference in interest that Morris County would pay on a 10-year Triple A bond is 35 basis points lower than a lower-ranked Single A bond and 10 basis points lower than a Double A bond.
The county’s Triple A rating for an upcoming $32.5 million bond sale will cost county taxpayers about $640,000 less in interest than if the county had a Single A rating and $165,000 less than if the county had a Double A rating.
PARSIPPANY — Jeff Edwards, Pastor Accused In Case Of Mistaken Identity, was featured on Channel 2 News.
As reported in Parsippany Focus on March 19, 2019 (click here) Pastor Jeffrey Edwards, Parsippany United Methodist Church, filed in Morris County Superior Court on Thursday, March 14 a Civil Action Complaint against Wells Fargo & Company, Wells Fargo, N.A. and John Does 1-10 and John Doe Entity 1-10. (Docket No. MRS-L-000568-19).
Edwards has served the community for 29 years and both the Church and Edwards has been a customer of Wells Fargo for more than a decade.
State Police recklessly or intentionally, and with malice, arrested Rev. Edwards and charged him with third degree forgery in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1a(2), “by depositing fraudulent checks into a Wells Fargo account while utilizing an ATM located at the Wells Fargo located on Route 46, Parsippany on April 16, 2018. The State Police did so despite the fact that they were in possession of overwhelming evidence of Rev. Edwards’ innocence. They fingerprint Edwards, take his mug shots and gave him a court date. Edwards had to hire a lawyer to go to court. He appeared in court three times because for the first two the State Police failed to provide the information they’ve gathered. Finally on the third trip on January 16, 2019 the judge dismisses the charges.
According to the lawsuit, Edwards is seeking damages from Wells Fargo and the State Police for an inexcusable false arrest, malicious prosecution and humiliation of an innocent man, Rev. Edwards.
“I still have not received apologies from either Wells Fargo or the State Police. The postings with my pictures are still out there online. I am suing both Wells Fargo and the State Police. As a pastor, my work is all based upon my being viewed as trustworthy, and their reckless charges threatened my hard-earned reputation as somebody worthy of peoples’ trust,” continued Edwards.
“The carelessness of both Wells Fargo and the State Police is kind of appalling, and I wonder what happens to somebody who might not have the resources to defend themselves,” the pastor said. “I told them yes that was my picture and yes I was in the bank that day. That’s all they needed to arrest me.”
Parsippany Focus is a digital news organization that provides news coverage of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. The organization was founded in 1989 by Frank Cahill, who currently owns and operates the organization. Parsippany Focus covers local news, events, and community issues, and their content is primarily distributed through their website and social media channels. The organization has been serving as a trusted source of news and information for the Parsippany-Troy Hills community for over 30 years.
Contact us: news@parsippanyfocus.com
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