The Honorable Michael Soriano
Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Hall
1001 Parsippany Boulevard
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054
Dear Mayor Soriano,
We are in receipt of your letter addressed to Councilwoman Gragnani dated March 12, 2019 regarding our recent comments on your budget. It’s a shame we couldn’t have had this dialogue before you proposed your second consecutive significant municipal property tax increase since being elected Mayor. You know full well that the Republican Council majority has worked hard to reduce your proposed 4.72% property tax increase to 2.85% in 2019, just like we reduced your 6% increase in 2018 down to 2.89%.
While we appreciate you wanting to shift blame on tax increases to us, it’s not credible. It is you and Governor Murphy who continually push for higher taxes; the Republican Council majority is doing all we can to reduce them. Councilwoman Gragnani’s objection to you deferring money from the water and sewer utility was in the context of you raising water and sewer rates at the same time, a move that effectively raises another tax on our residents. We hope this clears up any confusion. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Councilman dePierro
Council President Carifi, Jr.
Councilwoman Gragnani
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer E. Giordano responded to a residence on Allentown Road for a reported stolen motor vehicle at 6:29 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12.
Upon his arrival, the female caller stated she started her 2017 Ford Fusion at approximately 6:15 a.m. in the driveway of her residence and when she went to leave a short time later the vehicle was stolen.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer D. Farms responded to a residence on Harrison Road for a burglary to a vehicle at 10:06 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12.
Upon his arrival, the victim advised him that she went to her unlocked 2016 Ford Mustang which was parked in the driveway to retrieve a credit card and was unable to find it.
When she went to cancel it the bank advised her that it was used in Newark. The burglary took place between 9:30 p.m. on March 11 and the morning of March 12.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — A resident of Lake Shore Drive, Lake Parsippany, responded to Parsippany Police Headquarters to report that his unlocked vehicle was entered at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12.
The victim stated that when he got into the vehicle the door was not fully shut and the center console was opened The incident was partially captured on CCTV cameras in the area.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — Connie M. (nee- Cipolla) Walsh, beloved wife of the late Joseph F. Walsh, passed away on Wednesday, March 13 at Morristown Medical Center.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Connie was a whirlwind of energy with an infectious love of life; from an early age she was constantly on the move and extremely social. She was always a welcome guest in the homes of her friends.
Connie and her husband moved to Parsippany in 1965. They were an athletic couple who enjoyed tennis, bowling, golf and skiing. They were members of the Mountain Lakes Country Club where they made many good friends and enjoyed a robust social life.
Connie worked as a legal secretary – a career she greatly enjoyed – for over 50 years. She was employed by attorney Nathaniel F. Bedford of Boonton.
Connie loved to travel and took many wonderful trips over the years. Once she discovered Long Boat Key, Fl, however, it became her favorite destination, and she made it her “home away from home” for a few weeks in November every year for the past 37 years.
She was an avid Yankees fan and enjoyed watching old movies on AMC.
Connie was an active member of St. Christopher’s Parish; a Eucharistic minister, an Usher, a member of Prayer Group, a volunteer at Bingo, a volunteer at the group home for people with disabilities, and a member of the Columbiettes.
She was the Republican Committeeperson for Parsippany District 19 since 1996.
She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife and aunt. She was a friend to many more. She was kind and unflinchingly generous in spirit, always wanting to help other people. She was her “brother’s keeper” — that was her mantra for her entire life. She cared for everyone and everyone cared for her. Every stranger became a lifelong friend.
Connie is survived by sisters Josephine McLean and Helen Campa along with many nephews and nieces.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Liturgy of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 18, at St. Christopher R.C. Church, 1050 Littleton Road. Interment: Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. at Par-Troy Funeral Home, 95 Parsippany Road.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Board of Elections is seeking Election Day Poll workers for the upcoming Primary and General Elections.
Earn Extra Income
Perform an important civic function
Opportunity to meet your neighbors
Play a vital role in election history
All in a day’s work! Every poll worker earns $200 for their services on an election day.
For more information about serving as an Election Day Poll Worker call the Morris County Board of Elections Office at (973) 285-8350 or apply online by clicking here.
Click here for a poll worker application and additional details.
PARSIPPANY — Dr. Louis Valori, Parsippany, has been appointed to the Morris County Republican Committee’s Executive Board, and will serve as Corresponding Secretary. He was unanimously elected by the Board this week.
Valori will be replacing Nick DeGregorio who has moved out of Morris County to Bergen County. Nick has been a phenomenal contributor and asset to MCRC and will always be part of the family.
“I am honored to be working with the Executive team of MCRC. They have been doing a tremendous job uniting the Republican party, which has not been an easy task. They are reaching out to new voters, new demographics and engaging new constituents all the time. Under MCRC’s new leadership, they have moved to a great spacious location which has been long overdue, which is always open to everyone. They have a lot of great events in the new space with many new faces attending all the time. They have reignited the Teenage Republican organization, they have exploded the digital marketing and outreach online and they are building an organization that will make Morris County the premier Republican stronghold in the State. I am especially grateful to Peter King and the MCRC Executive team who worked diligently and persistently to unite Parsippany Republicans so that we can most effectively beat the Democrats. I am excited for the future,” said Valori.
Other board member include:
Chairman: Ron DeFilippis
Vice Chair: Laura Marie Ali
Treasurer: Rob Cascone
Corresponding Secretary: Dr. Louis Valori
Recording Secretary: Stephanie Sharratt
Sergeant at Arms: Guy Gregg
Legal Counsel: Peter King
Executive Director: Senator Joe Pennacchio
Finance Chair: Craig Heard
Political Director: Dick Kamin
Director of Youth Outreach: Aura Dunn
Director of Community Outreach: John Cesaro
Director of Events: Anna Riker
Liaison to the Morris County Republican Club Alliance: Vincent Schindel
State Committeewoman: Christina Ramirez
State Committeeman: Larry Casha, Esq.
Morris County Young Republicans Chair: Sydney Ugalde
Morris County Women’s Republican Club: Angelique Scholl
Morris GOP Headquarters is located at 51 Gibraltar Drive, Suite 1D, Parsippany, and can be reached by calling (973) 998-4955 or (973) 229-1000. For additional details click here.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Mayor Soriano will continue the Parsippany Town Hall series on Monday, March 18, in the Lake Hiawatha neighborhood. Doors to the Parsippany Community Center will open at 6:30 p.m. and the Mayor and the panel will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The Community Center is located at 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha.
If you have any questions please call the Mayor’s Action Center at (973) 263-4263.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President Frank Cahill presented a donation to Women’s Theater Company Artistic Director Barbara Krajkowski at its meeting of Thursday, March 14.
“We are pleased to donate funding from the Kiwanis Club of the Greater Parsippany to help keep theater alive in Parsippany,” said Foundation President Frank Cahill.
The Women’s Theater Company is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization operating under an Actors Equity Association contract and is a member of the New Jersey Theater Alliance. The 2019/2020 season begins our 27th year of operation. The audiences are diverse and represent a cross-section of northern New Jersey. Indications of the quality of the productions are the positive reviews we continue to receive.
Currently, The Women’s Theater Company, presents God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza. God of Carnage is two sets of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park. They agree to meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. Starring Nancy Kutzer, Scott McGowan, Brian Parks and Andrea Prendamano.
The Women’s Theater Company, a professional theater company in Parsippany presents God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza
The show runs from March 22-31, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $20.00 for seniors. To purchase tickets online please click here or call (973) 335-3038.
The Women’s Theater Company’s mission is to provide a fertile environment for the advancement of professional women theater artists and to provide quality theater for the community at large. Through their main stage, educational outreach, and new works development programs, the Women’s Theater Company supports the development of new women artists, promotes new works in the American theater, and provides entertaining and enriching productions for growing audiences. Women’s Theater Company is located at The Parsippany Playhouse, 1130 Knoll Road, Parsippany. For more information contact (973) 335-3038, or email info@womenstheater.org.
Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service-minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany picks their own service projects that we feel need our attention. We are all local people that volunteer our time and talents to make our community a better place to live. We, like you, are busy with making a living, church, family, and many other activities. however, we have found that Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany gives us not only a chance to give back to our community in a meaningful way, but we enjoy the fellowship, networking, and fun aspects as well.
You are invited to attend a meeting every Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46, Parsippany. We hope you will be able to join us to learn more about Kiwanis and see how you fit into the picture. Newcomers and visiting clubs always welcome! For more information click here.
PARSIPPANY —One of the Seven Grand Initiatives of the 2018-2020 General Federation of Women’s Clubs Administration is for GFWC members to donate 1000 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls or Nike Reuse a Shoe.
Members of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills answered the Federation call by donating 95 pairs of gently used shoes. The shoes were delivered to Soles4Souls in Franklin, New Jersey earlier this week, Soles4souls is a nonprofit social enterprise that creates sustainable jobs and provides relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. Founded in 2006, the organization has distributed more than 30 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes in 127 countries.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. General Meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month from September to April at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery, 100 Centerton Drive.
For more information call Marilyn at (973) 539-3703, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, click here or follow the club on FACEBOOK.
WCPTH members Joan Garbarino, Lorraine Steinsberger, Ann Claassen, Lois Brown, Bernadette Cicchino, Janet Reilly, Beverly Frischer and Marilyn Zarzycki.
PARSIPPANY — Lyla Evans graduated from Parsippany High School in 2016 and is now a Media and Communications major at Drew University where she received a 3.7 grade point average this semester. She was named to the Fall 2018 Dean’s List.
Lyla is a junior at the University and is the set to graduate next year. Lyla plays the piano, guitar sings and acts she was the North Jersey Filipino American Idol in 2015. She starred as Morticia in The Addams Family musical in Parsippany High School as well as starred in several other musicals and plays while attending Drew University.
PARSIPPANY — Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council, honored local citizens at the Third Annual Parsippany Good Scout Award Dinner held on Tuesday, March 12 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover.
Co-chairs Robert Peluso and Carol Tiesi
This year’s honorees were Catherine “Cathy” Cerbo, Silvia E. Cooper, Patrolman Remo D’Alessandro, Stephen J. Priola, Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer, P.A., and Randy F. Tortorello.
The event recognized these six outstanding citizens for their community service, as evidenced by their leadership and interests within the Parsippany community, and for their embodiment of the values of the century old Scout Oath and Law in their personal and professional lives. The event co-chairs were 2018 Parsippany Good Scout Award Recipient Carol Tiesi, and Robert Peluso.
Parsippany is a part of the Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council which serves 17,000 youth in over 400 Scouting units in communities throughout Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union Counties.
Catherine “Cathy” Cerbo
Catherine “Cathy” Cerbo; Cerbo Lumber & Hardware; Past President Parsippany Woman’s Club – Cathy is a lifelong Parsippany resident and graduate of its public school system. She cares about her community and is family-oriented. While at Troy Hills Elementary School she was a member of Girl Scout Troop #488 and her mother served as Leader. In her senior year of high school she was named a Rotary Outstanding Young Person. With a B.A. from Drew University and an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University she previously worked in market research for a subsidiary of AC Nielsen. While at Drew, Cathy was the recipient of the Gold Award in her senior year. As an alum, she sat on the College Alumni Board. Her family business, Cerbo Lumber and Hardware, celebrated its 70th anniversary last year and is a member of the Montville Township and Parsippany Area Chambers of Commerce. Cathy is a member of Morris County School of Technology Carpentry Advisory Board. She is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, a Past Vice President and recipient of the George F. Hixson Award. She is an active member of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills, having served as Club President and held District positions. She was placed on the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs Honor Roll and awarded the Order of the Lily and was the New Jersey recipient of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Jennie Award. Cathy is a NJ Sharing Network Ambassador and active member of the Morris County Organ Transplant/Donate Life Group. Her passion for advocacy scarred when her father had a life saving heart transplant in 1996. She was a proud recipient of the Lakeland Hills YMCA Parsippany Citizen of the Year in 2009. Her lace father, Nick, was a past recipient of chis Good Scout Award. She also followed in her father’s footsteps by attending Girls State in high school. The Cerbo family’s commitment to the community is a way of life; Cathy is a proud to continue. She’s grateful to her family for their encouragement and support in all of her activities.
Silvia E. Cooper
Silvia E. Cooper, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany member; Parsippany Branch Manager Boiling Springs Savings Bank – Born and raised in Mexico, Ms. Cooper graduated from Universidad Autonoma of Guadalajara with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She continued her education and received her master’s degree in Public Relations. In 1976, Ms. Cooper came to the United States and became the proud mother of twins in 1977. Her career took a different direction at this time and she devoted herself to raising her family. Once her children completed high school, Ms. Cooper began reentering the workforce.
Silvia Cooper with Frank Cahill
While at her local bank, she asked if there were any opportunities when she was lead into the manager’s office right away for an interview. She found out she had a position from a post-it note left on her front door. This is how her banking career began with Powder Mill Bank. Shortly after her start with Powder Mill Bank, they were acquired by Valley National Bank. Here, Ms. Cooper had a successful career and rose to the rank of Vice President and Territory Sales Manager. After a happy tenure with Valley National Bank, Ms. Cooper took on a new opportunity in 2014 with Boiling Springs Savings Bank serving the Towaco, Montville, and Parsippany areas. Ms. Cooper loves her banking career and the communities she is part of. She has been known to volunteer anywhere that has asked for her help. She is now a proud grandmother of three grandchildren ages 19, 17, and 10 years old. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading and spending her time with family and friends.
Co-chairs Robert Peluso and Carol Tiesi with Remo D’Alessandro
Patrolman Remo D’Alessandro Community Outreach – Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department – Patrolman Remo D’Alessandro is the Community Relations Officer for the Parsippany – Troy Hills Police Department. He is a former Marine who served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1992 to 1998 while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Montclair State University and is a Life Member of the Totowa Born Volunteer Fire Department, where he volunteered for over 20 years. He started his career in law enforcement in 2001 with the Paterson Police Department where he served as a Patrol Officer and Drill Instructor for the Paterson Police Academy. In 2004 he transferred to the Parsippany Police Department where he was assigned to the Patrol Division. While in Patrol he was selected to be Field Training Officer for newly hired officers, a Firearms Instructor and Rifle Instructor. His experience in Patrol earned him two Life Saving Awards and a Command Citation. His passion and desire to interact with the community was recognized by his superiors who ultimately recommended him for the Community Relations Officer position when it became available in the Support Services Division in 2013. Officer D’Alessandro strived to make Community Relations a pivotal role in the service for the Township of Parsippany. He is present at all community events in and around Parsippany such as the Fall Festival and National Night Out. He revamped the 10 week Citizen Police Academy program and implemented a department YouTube channel to show the human sides behind the badge. In addition, he urged business owners within the community to participate in the first ever Coffee with a Cop, a national program that bridges the gap between citizens and police officers. In 2016, the department awarded him a second Command Citation. That same year, the Rotary Club selected him for the Officer of the Year Award for his efforts. He continues to interact with the community by offering presentations on Active Shooter for corporations in town as well as Scams & Identity Theft, Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch Program. He organizes tours of the police headquarters for Scouts and school students and is also a Drill Instructor for the Youth Explorers Program and Junior Police Academy.
Stephen J. Priola
Stephen J. Priola – Owner S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service – At the young age of seven, after taking his first tour of a funeral home, Stephen J. Priola expressed an interest in the funeral service profession. Unlike most children, who change their career ideas at the drop of a hat, Stephen maintained his interest throughout his youth. He began working in funeral homes at age 16 while he was still enrolled in Parsippany High School, from which he later graduated in 1987. He went on to Drew University in Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology in 1991. In 1992, after being awarded membership in Mu Sigma Npha, a Mortuary Science Honor Society, Stephen graduated Cum Laude from the American Academy/McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in New York, New York. He was licensed as a funeral director in 1993, at which time he founded the Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service. The business operated from rented locations in Whippany and later Madison while Stephen sought a permanent location in Parsippany-Troy Hills. The current facility opened in September of 2000 on the property where the former landmark “Primo’s” had stood for many years, in the heart of of the Lake Hiawatha business district of Parsippany. The home is independently owned and operated by the Priola family who are longtime Parsippany residents. Stephen is assisted in the daily operations of the business by his parents Angela and Ron Priola, and a staff of ten part time attendants, most of which are retired after years of experience in other professions. Stephen Priola is heavily involved in the local community. He is a longtime member of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany where he serves on the Parish Finance Council, as an usher, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Lazarus and Adoration ministries. He is a member and Past President of the Parsippany Rotary Club, a member and Past President of the Montville UNICO Club, and the St. Pius X Knights of Columbus Council in Montville. He is also a member of the Parsippany and Montville Township Chambers of Commerce, and the Hiawatha Business Owner’s Association. Mr. Priola is a member and former board member of the New Jersey State Funeral Director’s Association and the Morris County Funeral Director’s Association where he served three terms as President. In the words of Mr. Priola, Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service is all about “comfort, value and convenience.” The home is non-sectarian and serves all faiths and cultures. The detail-oriented staff is committed to providing personalized, white glove service at fair prices. Funeral options are available within the reach of every family including those who rely on SSI/Medicaid. Special requests are encouraged and accommodated whenever possible.
Co-chairs Robert Peluso and Carol Tiesi with Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer, P.A.
Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer, P.A. Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Parsippany -Father Herb has been our pastor for 20 years now, since 1994. He was ordained in May 1968 after attending the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, NJ. Father Herb began at St. Virgil’s in Morris Plains. Then he taught religion and guidance at Paterson Catholic High School. Before coming to St. Peter, he was pastor at St. Paul’s in Prospect Park. Father has served the Diocese of Paterson since 1974, first as Vice Chancellor then as Chancellor for over 20 years. He also served as Vicar General. He is the president of several housing projects which serve low income persons in the diocese. He enjoys serving our parish now for a whole generation of parishioners.
Randy F. Tortorello – Parsippany Historic Sites Coordinator – Randy F. Tortorella is an accomplished interior designer and the owner of Randy Tortorella interiors, a firm started in 1985. Mr. Tortorella has been a member of the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society since 1993 and has served as President for the past twenty-two years. He received a certificate in historical preservation from Drew University in 2001.
Randy F. Tortorello
In 2003 Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Mayor, Mimi Letts, appointed Randy to the Parsippany Historic Advisory Committee and has been re-appointed by all succeeding mayors. Mr. Tortorella was chosen to be on the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board in 2010 and served for eight years recommending more than $21.3 million in county grant funding. He was elected chairman of the board in 2018. Mr. Tortorella is currently the historic sites coordinator for the township. He oversees the operation of the Parsippany Historical Museum, the Old Littleton Schoolhouse and the restoration and rehabilitation of the township’s historic Smith/Baldwin House and Forge pond site. Randy joined the BSA as a Cub Scout and became a Boy Scout in 1966 with Troop 74 in Newark, where his father, Daniel, was a leader for 16 years. Randy attained Star Scout and was junior assistant Scoutmaster before leaving the troop in 1969. Presently Randy helps local Scouts with their Eagle Scout projects. When notified of the award he was able to recite the Scout Law and Scout Oath with few hesitations.
PARSIPPANY — Meet Piggy, a two-year-old English Bulldog/Staffy mix who recently got svelte for the spring, losing 15 lbs, and now weighs in at just 50 lbs.
Piggy currently resides in one of Liberty Humane Society’s foster homes and has been looking for her forever home for quite a while. We can’t understand how no one has scooped this smooshy face up yet!
She’s a gorgeous dog who loves nothing more than to be pet and cuddled with. She is very affectionate and loves to cause trouble with her toys. Food is her number one motivation so make sure you have lots of snacks in the house! Her big adorable eyes will touch your heart.
Piggy could live in a home with another, calm dog but would prefer a home without cats and children. She is truly a “golden girl” stuck in a young girl’s body. What can we say? Piggy loves her peace and quiet! She is happiest snuggled up in your lap on the couch.
To adopt or to receive more information, please fill out an application on LIBERTY HUMANE SOCIETY’S website by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr., and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Andrew Miller announce that Mr. Patrick Mirrione, 79, of Parsippany, has been charged with Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Both are crimes of the fourth degree.
On Friday, March 15, at approximately 12:54 p.m., Parsippany police officers responded to a 911 call report of a gunshot suicide at 10 Concord Way.
The caller, later identified as Patrick Mirrione, reported to police at the scene that he discovered his wife in the garage with an apparent gunshot wound. During the ensuing investigation, it is alleged that Mirrione gave inconsistent statements to law enforcement regarding his knowledge of and participation in the death. It is also alleged that Mirrione altered, concealed, and/or removed physical items at or from the scene. Mirrione was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings as a result of the above charges.
This investigation remains ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time. If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200, or the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department at (973) 263-4300.
Members of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Investigations, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office all took part in this investigation.
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.
The following is an open letter from Councilman dePierro to Parsippany residents.
With the Governor and a contingency of Legislators in Trenton about to legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey, we must address this issue in Parsippany. How do we protect our quality of life, how do we protect our children? What action is best for our Township?
An article in the Daily Record dated March 12, 2019 points out that illicit marijuana locations already exist, will continue to exist, and will definitely expand when New Jersey legalizes recreational marijuana. The article describes “tables overflowing with marijuana products in every form imaginable. Huge jars are half-filled with dried marijuana flowers. Eight-ounces of pot are sold in vacuum-sealed, professionally packaged, odor-proof bags. There are chocolate bars with spoof ‘“Wonka”’ packaging, and home-made rice cereal and Marshmallow treats – some with colorful cereal pieces, some with cookie dough, all with weed baked into them”.
One woman in New Jersey is quoted as saying that she bakes nearly three hundred brownies per month. As she sees it, she will always have customers. She, and others in this business, anticipate that their illicit businesses will flourish when New Jersey legalizes recreational marijuana. People will be flocking to New Jersey from every direction.
While I don’t object to strictly regulated medical marijuana, I strenuously oppose legalizing recreational drugs and allowing its sale in our community. Parsippany is the cross-roads of northern New Jersey and intersects multiple interstate highways. Given our abundance of quiet, peaceful neighborhoods and parks where our children play, do we want people from out of town, or out of state traveling to our township to frequent dispensaries here?
The health and safety of our Township will be at risk and our quality of life will suffer with impaired drivers and additional traffic on our roads, an additional burden to our emergency units, more police action, and possibly more court activity. Many towns have wisely “Opted Out”, to protect their towns.
I would like to introduce an ordinance in Parsippany that would Opt Out of all phases of Marijuana … No growing, No processing, No distributing, and No dispensaries. Before I introduce an ordinance, I would like to hear from our residents.
PARSIPPANY — According to DailyRecord.com, authorities were investigating a shooting at a home on Concord Way, Friday, March 15.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office taped off the scene at a two-story home on Concord Way.
Roughly two dozen unmarked police SUVs were parked on Concord Way, in the Powder Mill section of Parsippany. A resident at the scene stated the police were searching one of the vehicles parked in the driveway.
There is no danger to the public, a Morris County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman said, but no other details were immediately available.
Earlier reports indicate there was a suicide at a home on Concord Way, but details can not be confirmed.
PARSIPPANY — The Women’s Theater Company, a professional theater company in Parsippany presents God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza.
God of Carnage is two sets of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park. They agree to meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner?
Starring Nancy Kutzer, Scott McGowan, Brian Parks and Andrea Prendamano.
The show runs from March 22-31, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $20.00 for seniors. To purchase tickets online please click here or call (973) 335-3038.
The Women’s Theater Company is located at the Parsippany Playhouse at 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha. For GPS driving directions, please enter the town of Boonton, 07005.
The Women’s Theater Company’s mission is to provide a fertile environment for the advancement of professional women theater artists and to provide quality theater for the community at large. Through their main stage, educational outreach, and new works development programs, the Women’s Theater Company supports the development of new women artists, promotes new works in the American theater, and provides entertaining and enriching productions for growing audiences. Women’s Theater Company is located at The Parsippany Playhouse, 1130 Knoll Road, Parsippany. For more information contact (973) 335-3038, or email info@womenstheater.org.
The Women’s Theater Company is proud to be a member of the New Jersey Theater Alliance Funding for the Women’s Theater Company has been made possible in part by funds for the Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Art/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County service providers, probation and police officers and high school students assumed the roles of former jail inmates Friday, March 15 to experience the biases, destitution, social and emotional challenges some inmates have upon discharge back into the community.
Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon at the STAR re-entry simulation on March 15
The re-entry simulation held at the Morris County Public Safety Academy was the first public showcasing of the Successful Transition and Re-Entry (STAR) program started in October as a collaboration between Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon and the county Office of Temporary Assistance within the Department of Human Services.
Both Sheriff Gannon and Morris County Freeholder Heather Darling noted in opening program remarks that the recidivism rate of individuals incarcerated at the Morris County Correctional Facility is about 48 percent – or 48 percent of the same individuals are rearrested and returned to jail. The rate won’t drop without meaningful programs offered to inmates, Sheriff Gannon said.
“This is a holistic approach to a population that needs our support,” he said.
The event, attended by more than 100 people, was organized by STAR case managers Melissa Maney and Sierra McEniry, whose office is based at the Morris County Correctional Facility.
STAR case managers Sierra McEniry and Melissa Maney at their STAR office at the Morris County Correctional Facility
Inmates voluntarily sign up for STAR, where they are assisted, before and after discharge, with access to medical and substance abuse recovery services, housing, Temporary Aid To Needy Families, Medicaid, SNAP, jobs, identification documents, and even Vivitrol injections to help prevent relapses to alcohol or drug dependencies.
“There’s no cookie-cutter method. We’re meeting everyone where they’re at,” McEniry said.
There are 83 current and former inmates in the STAR program in Morris County.
The simulation was facilitated by Kimberlynn Reeves of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, an expert on re-entry program who has worked with the New Jersey State Parole Board on conducting four of the five re-entry simulations the Parole Board has held.
“We look to hold re-entry simulations in jurisdictions like Morris County that are very progressive and engaged,” said Parole Board administrative analyst Sherry Sandler. “We’re all re-entry stakeholders as citizens and residents of the state.”
STAR client Michael Lester, who spent several months in the Morris County Correctional Facility for his third drunk driving offense, shared a bit of his story with the crowd. He said his first DWI occurred 10 years ago after his wife died and he got another DWI charge for riding an electric bicycle while intoxicated.
Lester said he saw participants laughing and enjoying the simulation but his incarceration wasn’t a joke.
“In real life, when you go to jail, you’re not laughing,” he said. He said Maney and McEniry, the STAR caseworkers, helped him receive Vivitrol, set up dental and medical appointments, and find an apartment.
“They’re very responsive. As a matter of fact, they’re proactive. Good energy,” Lester said.
Reeves took charge of running the simulation in which participants were given “life cards” that gave them a new identity, details of their crimes and sentences, and a schedule of obligations they had to fulfill over a four-week period, including paying probation fees, restitution to victims, undergoing urinalysis, and paying for food, rent and utilities.
Role players moved between stations manned by volunteers posing as service and medical providers, landlords, court officials, pawn shop owners, and other people a former inmate may encounter. Mirroring real life, some volunteers treated the inmate role-players rudely while others were sympathetic or lenient.
Role-players at the various stations would select cards that dictated their next step, such as appearing before a judge for failing a drug test or being forced to pay rent on a room in full or face eviction.
Morris County Sheriff’s Officers played roles too at the simulation, escorting people away from stations to “jail” in a back corner of the room for infractions that included failure to pay a probation fine or speaking disrespectfully to a judge. By the time role players had reached the fourth week of trying to meet obligations, most were in jail – a reflection, Reeves said, of how easily a former inmate can return to jail without assistance.
“I think it’s a cool experience,” said Morris Hills High School senior Francis Babe. His background was as “Wesley,” who spent 10 years in federal prison for bank robbery.
Rewaida Muheisen, who works for the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance, said the simulation gave her a glimpse of how overwhelming life may be like for a former inmate.
“We see clients all day long and now we can see the effects of what we ask of them,” Muheisen said.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp also attended the simulation, saying in opening remarks that he admires Sheriff Gannon’s initiatives to curb crime and reduce drug dependency.
“I’ve never seen innovative efforts before like Sheriff Gannon has done for Morris County,” Prosecutor Knapp said.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer D. Sisco pulled behind a 2008 Honda Accord which was stopped on the shoulder of Route 46 west near Summit Street with its hazard lights activated.
While speaking to the driver, Mr. William Brockman, 23, Dover, he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath.
He also noted that the vehicle appeared to have been involved in a motor vehicle crash due to the fact the rear bumper was missing, there was visible damage to the front of the vehicle, and both front tires were flat.
After a brief investigation, Mr. Brockman was placed under arrest and transported to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Headquarters. While there, officers were contacted by Hanover Police Department who advised them that the vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle crash in their township and they were responding to our headquarters to speak to Mr. Brockman.
Mr. Brockman was charged with the following by Parsippany Police Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving.
He was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.
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 — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer Taylor observed a 2016 Nissan Altima idling with its headlights turned on in the parking lot of 838 Route 46, on Friday, March 8 at 11:40 p.m.
When he passed the area again approximately 30 minutes later, he observed the same vehicle still idling with its headlights on.
He pulled into the parking lot and as he approached the vehicle on foot, he detected the odor of burnt marijuana in the area. He made contact with the driver, Mr. Dion Slack, 34, Parsippany.
After a brief investigation, Mr. Slack was placed under arrest for possession of suspected marijuana and transported to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Headquarters and charged with possession of less than 50 Grams of Marijuana, a Disorderly Persons Offense.
He was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.