PARSIPPANY — The Friends of Lake Hiawatha held a pizza party for the second place winners of their 2018 Scarecrow Contest. The troop is Daisy Troop 97442 from Eastlake School. Their leader is Marissa May.
Little League East to Dedicate T-ball field to the Plescia family
PARSIPPANY — Par-Troy Little League East will be officially dedicating the T-ball field to the Plescia family during their Opening Day, to be held on Saturday, April 6, starting at 10:00 a.m.
Joe and Sue Plescia have given so much of their time to the league and the town and it’s kids over the years in so many ways.
Joe has held many positions at P.T.E. Including League President. To this day he assists in any way possible and is an incredible resource to our board and me as President.
On top of that Joe and Sue have also given the league two other incredible resources David and Michael Plescia these two young men have given so many hours, days, months and years of their time to make Par-Troy Little League East the best place in town for our children and families.
David is our resident Key Master, Security System Designer, Grounds Crew Liaison giving as much time as he can when he is not out building race cars! Michael has taught so many of our children the right way to play the game sharing his never ending passion for baseball with as many kids as possible. His knowledge of the rule book has also kept our league going in the right direction for many years. “There are so many more superlatives I can use to describe this family but I’ll save them for opening day,” said PTE President Chris Mazzarella.
Par-Troy Little League East invites all to come out on Opening Day and help celebrate the Plescia family by giving them a small token of appreciation for all they have done for our league and our community.
A Revolution in Spine Care Comes to Morris County
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — In February of 2019 with the opening of RegeneSpine at 197 Ridgedale Avenue, Suite 210, in Cedar Knolls, comes a new approach to treating patients who are suffering from painful spine and joint conditions.
Dr. Stephen J. Roman, a triple board certified Medical Doctor, having been a senior partner for 15 years with Trenton Orthopedic Group, is the Medical Director of the RegeneSpine, Regenerative Spine and Joint Institute. According to Dr. Roman “The use of regenerative medicine in the treatment of spine and other musculoskeletal conditions is a paradigm shift. We once had to rely on the tools available to us such as steroids, addictive medications, and surgery. With the advent of regenerative medicine we can now use a patients’ own cells for healing.”
Dr Roman utilizes techniques including the use of patient’s own blood products such as platelet rich plasma (PRP). He is also making use of patients’ own fat for the treatment of arthritis as well as patients’ bone marrow which includes mesenchymal stem cells. He reports that he prefers to offer patients minimally invasive treatments prior to considering more invasive or surgical procedures.
He goes on to say “My 15 years of experience working in an orthopaedic practice has shown me what works for patients. Unfortunately, like so many other new treatments, insurance carriers and Medicare do not yet pay for regenerative treatments.”
Dr. Roman states “I am happy to be back in Morris County where I grew up and I am very excited to be working alongside regenerative experts at the New Jersey Regenerative Institute including Drs. Gerry Malanga, Jay Bowen, and Tom Agesen.”
To determine if you are a candidate for these new regenerative cell-based therapies, click here or contact RegeneSpine at (973) 387-1044.
Tyson Foods Recalls Chicken Nuggets due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
NEW JERSEY — Tyson Foods a Sedalia, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 36,420 pounds of chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically rubber, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.
The panko chicken nugget items were produced on November 26, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]
- 5-lb. plastic packages of “Tyson WHITE MEAT PANKO CHICKEN NUGGETS” with a “BEST IF USED BY” date of “NOV 26 2019,” case code “3308SDL03” and time stamps 23:00 through 01:59 (inclusive).
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-13556” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints of extraneous material in purchased Panko Chicken Nugget products. FSIS was notified on January 29, 2019.
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 frozen and in 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.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Tyson Consumer Relations at 1-888-747-7611. Members of the Media with questions about the recall can contact Worth Sparkman, Senior Communications Manager with Tyson Foods, Inc., at (479) 290-6358.
Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day by clicking here.
Brooklawn Middle School placed second place overall at Wrestling Tournament
PARSIPPANY — The Greater Morris County Junior Schools Wrestling Tournament took place on Saturday, January 27 at Frelinghuysen Middle School.
For the first time since 2005 Brooklawn Middle School placed second place overall as a team headed up by Coach Jason Lodato.
Coach Lodato began his coaching career in Parsippany in 2000 where he coached at Parsippany Hills High School until 2014 at which time he began coaching at Brooklawn Middle School.
When Coach Lodato began coaching at Brooklawn middle school there were only twelve wrestlers in the program; This year the team has grown to 43 boys and girls. Since Coach has been at Brooklawn he has “Worked very hard to rebuild the program”
“Participation has increased every year. This year we had 43 boys and girls. Every fall I come to the school and talk with the kids about what an extraordinary sport wrestling is and how much fun they will have learning the skills, setting personal goals, competing and making new friends,” said Coach Lodato.
“During the past two years I’ve been very fortunate to have Coach Aric Imhoff (a former PHHS/Brooklawn wrestler) volunteering his time to work with the wrestlers,” said Coach Lodato.
The key to our recent success is getting the boys/and girls as much mat time (practices and matches) as possible. The only way to learn is to get out there and do it. At Brooklawn we focus on the fundamentals, becoming a better overall athlete, trying our best, and having fun.
“My goal is to introduce wrestling and its benefits to as many kids as possible, with the hope they will stay with the sport through High School and beyond,” said Coach Lodato.
Brooklawn’s second place finish can be attributed completely to Coach Lodato and the his wrestlers.
Below is a list of the wrestlers who placed in Saturday’s tournament:
1st Place
70- James Mcginty
85- Tyler Costello
2nd Place
105 – Sam Poff
3rd Place
90- Mario Fornini
130- Trevor Ridzyowski
165- Joe Flamio
4th Place
75- Ben Ucab
95- Leo Mansilla
110 – DJ Tourso
175 – Max Sullivan
Freeholders Join NJAC To Oppose Unfunded State Vote-By-Mail Mandate State Law Came With No State Financing
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County has joined with six other New Jersey counties to support a New Jersey Association of Counties challenge to the state’s mail-in ballot initiative that has put the burden of paying for the handling, printing, postage and other costs squarely on the fiscal shoulders of county taxpayers.
NJAC, in a filing with the New Jersey Council on Local Mandates, contends state government violated the New Jersey Constitution by requiring county clerks and elections staff to undertake a comprehensive voting initiative without including any state funds for the effort.
That unfunded mandate cost county government across the state more than $1.5 million in 2018, with the bill expected to rise in coming years. The new law cost Morris County an extra $170,000 in 2018.
Morris County mailed out more than 37,000 vote-by-mail ballots in 2018 compared to about 6,000 in previous elections.
“This all came about due to an executive order by the Governor and with no thought of the financial strain it would put on counties,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “The state did not allocate money to county governing bodies to offset the costs associated with implementing and administering the new law in violation of the state Constitution.’’
The Morris County Board of Freeholders unanimously passed a resolution earlier this month opposing the mandate and authorizing NJAC to act on its behalf. Other counties backing this action include Atlantic, Cape May, Hudson, Hunterdon, Monmouth, and Somerset.
“I fully support the efforts of the Freeholder Board and NJAC to deal with these fiscally burdensome requirements,’’ said Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi. “As we come up on the next Presidential Election in 2020, this could become an even more difficult and costly situation.’’
Grossi noted that NJAC has the support of the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey on this issue.
The state Constitution prohibits state government from requiring units of local or county government from implementing additional or expanded activities with providing funds for those actions. The State Council on Local Mandates is empowered to resolve any disputes on whether a law, rule or regulation constitutes an unfunded mandate.
On August 10, 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed a law (P.L. 2018, C72) that stated that any qualified voter is entitled to vote use a mail-in ballot in the 2018 or any future elections, including general elections, held in the state.
The act further required that all qualified voters who sought a mail-in ballot in the 2016 Presidential Election should receive vote-by-mail ballots in perpetuity — for all future elections. This was required even if voters did not request mail-in ballots for the 2018 election cycle.
It also mandated that County Clerk’s Offices prior to the 2018 general election send written notices to all vote-by-mail voters informing them they will receive vote-by-mail ballots for all future elections unless voters send a request in writing to end the practice.
Only a request in writing from a voter can stop elections officials from sending them mail-in ballots for all future elections, everything from Presidential elections to fire district elections.
As a result of this new law, counties’ elections offices have incurred personnel costs, and contracted costs with outside vendors for printing services, postage, and supplies such as stickers and labels.
NJAC is asking the State Council on Mandates to enjoin the state from enforcing this new law in all future elections.
Freeholders Honor County College of Morris Professor and Students for The Promethean Awards
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders has issued a resolution to County College of Morris Professor Kathleen McNeil in recognition of her years fostering the talents of young designers as the faculty advisor of the award-winning student literary magazine The Promethean.
Additionally, the freeholders awarded county certificates of congratulations to four student designers who produced the 2017-18 edition of The Promethean, selected by Graphic Design:USA as a winner in its American Inhouse Design Awards contest.
The competition pits the student publication against 5,000 entries submitted by professional designers from around the world. The award continues a decade-long streak of national recognition for the magazine, garnering numerous awards from Graphic Design:USA.
The awards are considered a barometer of success in the graphics design and advertising fields. Student recipients were:
- Emily Ambrosi of Denville, student designer and cover photographer/illustrator
- Margaret Koenig of Mount Olive, student designer,
- Dhrupa Patel of Parsippany, student designer
- Matthew Wotasek of Hackettstown, student designer
Among those present for the awards were CCM President Anthony Iacono and trustees Joseph Weisberg, Jeffrey M. Advokat, Thomas Pepe and Paul Licitra.
Professor McNeil developed a unique course curriculum for production of The Promethean to immerse CCM students in design development and professional practices not commonly taught in classrooms.
In addition, to serving as advisor for the magazine, she teaches design courses at both CCM and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The American Graphic Design Awards is the largest showcase for original work created by graphic designers. This is the 13th year in a row that the Promethean has received an American Graphic Design award from GraphicDesign:USA.
Active warrants lands two in County Jail
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer E. Elston observed a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 fail to properly signal a lane change and conducted a motor vehicle stop on Sunday, January 27 at 5:25 p.m.
Officer Elston spoke to the driver, Lee Christiansen, 36, Wharton, and passenger Justin Sarno, 31, Parsippany, who initially gave officers a false name.
After a brief investigation, officers determined that they both had active warrants for their arrest.
Mr. Christiansen was also found to be in possession of a hypodermic needle. They were both placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing.
Mr. Christiansen was charged with Possession of a Hypodermic Needle, a Disorderly Persons Offense.
Mr. Sarno was charged with Hindering Apprehension, a Disorderly Persons Offense.
They were both transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending their initial court dates.
Editor’s Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Parsippany Police Arrest New York Male on Multiple Charges
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Chief of Police Andrew Miller announces the arrest of a New York male on drug charges on Tuesday, January 22 at 12:16 a.m.
Patrol Officer J. Garza conducted a motor vehicle stop on 2009 Honda Accord after he observed numerous motor vehicle violations on Route 46.
He made contact with the driver, Huascar Lamarche, 38, Flushing, New York. Officers R. Taylor, J. Seeger, and E. Elston arrived on scene to assist.
After a brief investigation, along with assistance from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Mr. Lamarche was found to be in possession of approximately 11 pounds of suspected marijuana, 52 cartridges suspected to contain Hash Oil/THC, and a large quantity of gift cards from various stores. He was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. He was charged with the following:
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- • One count of Third Degree Manufacture, Distribute, or Dispense or Possession with the intent to Manufacture, Distribute or Dispense Hashish
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- • One count of Second Degree Manufacture, Distribute, or Dispense or Possession with the intent to Manufacture, Distribute or Dispense Marijuana
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- • One count of Third Degree Money Laundering
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- • One count of Fourth Degree Possession of CDS (Marijuana)
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- • One count of Fourth Degree Possession of CDS (Hashish)
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- • Slow Speeds Blocking Traffic, a Traffic Offense
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- • Obstructed Windshield, a Traffic Offense
- • Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle, a Traffic Offense
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Lamarche was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
Editor’s Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
11th Hour Rescue to host “Third Annual Trivia Event”
MORRIS COUNTY — The 11th Hour Animal Rescue will host their “Third Annual Trivia Event? on Saturday, February 23 at Lake Hopatcong Elks Club, 201 Howard Boulevard, Mt Arlington.
There are two seatings available: Brunch Seating: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Brunch from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. followed by Trivia Game) and Dinner Seating: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by Trivia Game)
Tickets: $25.00 Brunch Seating and $30.00 Dinner Seating.
Includes Trivia Game hosted by Joe Trivia and either brunch buffet or dinner buffet with coffee, tea and dessert. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Bring a team of up to eight friends or allow us to match you up with a team. Seats are limited and available on a first-come first-served.
Prizes for the winning team. Tricky Tray and 50/50 Raffle* *Must be at least 18 years old to participate.
For more information, contact ehrwendy@gmail.com. Click here to pick your seating.
Burlington County Hopes To Replicate The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One
MORRIS COUNTY — Representatives of the Burlington County Sheriff’s and Prosecutor’s Offices want to replicate Hope One, an innovative mobile substance abuse recovery vehicle launched in April 2017 by Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon to help fight opioid and heroin addiction.
Hope One, which in the past 21 months has logged more than 6,000 contacts with individuals struggling with addiction or their families and friends, was parked Monday outside the Netcong Train Station, where Sheriff Gannon met with four law enforcement officials from Burlington County.
Hope One already was replicated by the Newark Police Department in December and earlier by the Cape May Prosecutor’s Office and Monmouth and Atlantic County Sheriff’s Offices.
Burlington County Sheriff’s Office Chief Mike Ditzel said he heard Sheriff Gannon speak about Hope One at a New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association meeting last fall, admired the concept, and believes Burlington County can be successful with the same proactive approach.
“This could potentially be a great addition to other programs we have, including youth programs to help stop addiction before it starts,” said Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations Darren Anderson.
“We bring services to the client, out in the field,” Sheriff Gannon told the Burlington County officials. “It’s successful because of relationships we have with the service providers.”
Sheriff Gannon noted that 3,118 people statewide died of overdoses in 2018, a 15 percent increase over 2017 but Morris County saw a 1 percent decrease in overdoses in 2018 from the previous year. There were 84 deaths attributed to overdoses in 2018 in Morris County.
The sheriff related to the Burlington officials how a father approached the Hope One vehicle on Jan. 7 with a story of concern that his son, just home from a rehabilitation center, would relapse. The father was trained by Hope One staff to administer Narcan, a nasal spray that reverses the effects of opioids, and given a canister to bring home. He found his son unconscious from an overdose in their home the same day and was able to revive him with Narcan, the sheriff said.
There’s a cascading impact on families, the children, parents, spouses and siblings of addicts, Gannon said.
Since April 3, 2017, when Hope One made its debut on The Green in Morristown, the vehicle has made about 270 stops in locations throughout Morris County that statistics show are populated by at-risk people and where drug overdoses are occurring. Sheriff Gannon said 200 people who boarded Hope One in search of services were transported to treatment for mental health issues or to detox centers and treatment facilities for their substance abuse addictions.
Hope One was staffed during the visit by Burlington County officials by Morris County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Erica Valvano in plainclothes; Kelly LaBar, a peer recovery specialist for Morris County CARES; Madine Despeine, director of Self Help, Advocacy and Education for the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris; and Ashley Reed, a care navigator for Family Promise of Morris County.
In nonjudgmental style, the staff offer literature, resources, Narcan training, coffee, water, hand warmers and snacks to visitors to Hope One, and are equipped to immediately help individuals find treatment for their addictions.
The Hope One vehicle used to be a Sheriff’s Office SWAT truck that was stripped of law enforcement emblems and painted white and purple, the color symbolizing recovery. Hope One parks Mondays and Thursdays for about five hours in selected locations where at-risk people are known to congregate.
House Science Committee Names Congresswoman Sherrill Chair of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee
PARSIPPANY — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill was named Chair of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. The subcommittee is empowered with investigative authority on all matters concerning non-defense federal research.
“Federal research is vital to the innovation that drives our local economy and global competitiveness,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. “I am proud to lead the subcommittee in support of the independence and integrity of science and scientists advancing the fields of energy, space, and transportation.”
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over non-defense federal research and development, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It also has jurisdiction over research and development at the Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Celebrate Mardi Gras Across America at Applebee’s® with the Dollar Hurricanes
PARSIPPANY — Can’t make your way to New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year? Not to worry, because Applebee’s® has you covered with its newest Neighborhood Drink of the Month. For the entire month of February through Mardi Gras on Tuesday, March 5, Applebee’s brings the party and spirit of the celebration to neighborhoods across the country with a spin on one of the most famous cocktails to come out of the French Quarter, the Dollar Hurricane. Applebee’s is located at 1057 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center.
The new Dollar Hurricane is served in a 10-ounce mug and is crafted with a delicious fusion of rum, passion fruit, orange, black cherry and lime. To get the party started, it comes with a masked stirrer or decorative beads. Throw on your masquerade masks and get ready to parade your way towards your local Applebee’s restaurant. You won’t want to celebrate the year’s biggest carnival without this.
“The Hurricane cocktail is a classic rum drink with close ties to New Orleans and Mardi Gras,” said Patrick Kirk, vice president of beverage innovation at Applebee’s. “A DOLLAR HURRICANE is a great reason to celebrate the season and from now until March 5, Applebee’s is going to ‘party like it’s Mardi.’”
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.
Morris County Clerk announces “Manual Cover Contest” winners
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi announced the winners in the 2019 Morris County Manual Cover Contest.
1st place: Krystal Colon from Morris Knolls High School
2nd place: Andrew Donahue from Morris Hills High School
3rd place: Julian Mesa from Morris Hills High School
The judges of this year’s contest were Morris County Tax Board Commissioner William Kersey, Parsippany Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani, and from the County Clerk’s Office, Lauren Esposito, Maria May and Laura Roberts.
The Morris County Manual is a comprehensive resource containing the names and contact information of elected and appointed officials at all levels of government. The annual publication is designed to help simplify doing business with the various departments, boards and commissions and with all 39 municipalities throughout Morris County.
Each year, the County Clerk conducts an art contest to select a cover for the Morris County Manual. The contest is open to all high school art students within the county. The creators of the top three covers selected by a group of judges are presented with monetary scholarship awards by County Clerk Ann F. Grossi.
The 2018 Winners were: First Place Winner: Felicia Terreri is a senior at Whippany Park High School. She plays varsity softball and is actively involved with the Art Club. Felicia was voted Most Spirited and humbled to have been crowned Homecoming Queen. During the school year, Felicia works as an aide for Hanover Township’s aftercare program and enjoys working as a lifeguard during the summer. Her free time is spent painting, snowboarding, watching movies and spending time with family and friends. She plans to attend college and pursue a career in Graphic Design.
Second Place Winner: Aayush Saxena is a junior in the Academy of Computer Science at Morris County School of Technology. He designed the cover as part of Advertising Art and Design elective at MCST. He is a member of the Robotics Club and the Tech Club. His hobbies include reading and playing video games. He volunteers at Dover Hospital. He resides in Randolph with his parents and younger brother, Aakansh. After high school he would like to work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Third Place Winner: Jared Redington is a sophomore student attending Morris Hills High School in Rockaway. His interests include Track & Field (throwing the javelin, and shotput), photography, magic, hiking, and spending time with his friends & family. Jared is also an Eagle Scout, a member of Wharton Troop 67, and one day hopes to pursue Military Intelligence as his future career.
Governor signs DeCroce’s barbering pilot program bill
PARSIPPANY — A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce creating a three-year pilot program in Passaic County to allow experienced barbers and hairstylists to work while waiting for a New Jersey license is now law.
“It’s unreasonable to prevent experienced professionals from earning a living just because they come from out of state or another country,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “As long as they meet state standards they should be able to pursue their livelihood. This pilot program will show us if we should implement such a law statewide.”
The bill (A3443) is in response to concerns expressed by Passaic Mayor Hector Lora who said local immigrant barbers are not allowed to work while waiting for a state license, according to an article in the Bergen Record.
Prior to the new law, experienced barbers and hairstylists licensed in another state or another country had to apply for a license from the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and pay a $100 application fee and a $39 written exam fee. Board approval can take up to six months. If the licensing standards of the home state or country did not meet state standards, experienced barbers had to take courses costing $12,000.
The state Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling will evaluate the program and make recommendations to the governor and Legislature.
Morris County Housing Authority Names New Executive Director
MORRIS COUNTY — Long-time Morris County Housing Authority employee Kelly A. Stephens was recently selected as Executive Director of the agency, which creates and maintains affordable living environments and provides other assistance for more than 1,000 residents in the county.
Stephens is a 23-year veteran of the Morris County Housing Authority. She began at the agency in 1996 as a social services coordinator and moved through positions as an administrator, director of operations and deputy director.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitative services, a certificate in gerontology and is a certified public housing manager.
Stephens succeeds Roberta Strater, who retired in December as Executive Director after 42 years of service with the Housing Authority.
“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of a highly respected director, Roberta Strater,’’ said Stephens. “Throughout the years, working with Roberta, I have been fortunate to affect the lives of many of our residents as well as the community.
“Our staff at the Housing Authority works collaboratively as a team to provide safe, decent, affordable housing to low income senior citizens, families and people with disabilities in Morris County. We intend to continue with that important mission.’’
The Housing Authority was created by the Morris County Board of Freeholders in 1972 to develop and manage housing for low-and moderate-income residents of the county.
Its current mission is to “enhance the lives of the citizens of the county by creating and sustaining decent, safe and affordable living environments that foster stability and self-sufficiency for seniors, families and people with disabilities with low to moderate incomes.”
In carrying out this mission, the Housing Authority provides leadership, maximizes resources, and promotes partnerships to develop and implement sound housing policy.
The Housing Authority is overseen by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It utilizes its $10 million dollar annual budget to provide safe and decent housing and other assistance for approximately 1,050 county residents.
The Housing Authority owns and manages seven housing complexes, including 423 units of public housing and Section 8/515 housing and congregate housing. It also manages the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program.
For more information click here.
Murphy Signs Legislation Modifying Investigations of Law Enforcement-Related Deaths
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed S1036 into law, providing that the Attorney General handle the investigation and prosecution of a crime involving a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity or while the decedent was in custody.
“While this bill is a limited solution to a challenging issue, I have concluded that signing this bill will be an important step in improving police-community relations in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “I know we are a stronger and safer State when every law enforcement officer feels respected and every community feels valued.”
Legislative leaders and local officials offered their support of the legislation.
“It is vitally important that deadly encounters resulting from police actions are investigated thoroughly and fairly and that the public trusts the findings,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “Independent investigations that are not associated with the county in which the death occurred will have more credibility and will help remove any perception of a conflict of interest.”
“Some of the police-involved shooting deaths that have occurred in multiple states have traumatized their communities and widened the divide between law enforcement officers and the residents they are sworn to protect,” the Senate President continued. “We have a real problem when a portion of society feels as if the criminal justice system is not protecting them with equal justice. Trust is critical for law enforcement. Requiring independent investigations is beneficial for police officers, the criminal justice system and for the communities they serve and protect.”
“As many great civil rights leaders have said, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Today is a great day for justice, civil and human rights. I want to thank Governor Murphy for proving yet again his dedication to being progressive, not just in words but in action,” said Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake. “Signing this bill, which requires that an independent investigation occur when a person dies in police custody or during an interaction with law enforcement, is a great leap toward authoritative accountability. When administered, this law should be of assistance to officers who are doing the right thing while also sifting out biases that exist amongst those armed with power.
“As the mother of a son, it was important to me to fight for this bill to become a law, a law that will deter the use of excessive force and save lives. Thank you to the advocacy groups who have supported this law, and to the Assembly and Senate leadership, fellow sponsors in both houses, past and present. Without their leadership and courage this would not have been possible. Lastly, to the families of those who have unwarrantedly lost their lives amidst this nationwide issue, here’s to justice,” Assemblywoman Timberlake continued.
“I applaud Governor Murphy for signing this legislation,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “It is a step in the right direction.”
“I understand this is a hotly debated issue,” said Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh. “However, any opportunities to increase transparency and restore public confidence in law enforcement should be explored. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership on this issue, as well as the work of our own delegation – sponsors Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, and supporter Senator Nellie Pou.”
“The most important goal of any investigation is truth and accuracy so that justice is served,” said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “It is also important that all have faith in the process.”
“The placement of the responsibility for these matters with the Attorney General’s Office and the procedures provided for in the legislation help to address these objectives and allow for the establishment of a protocol consistent throughout the state,” Mayor Cahill continued.
The bill was supported by a number of advocacy groups, including representatives of the faith community and communities of color.
“It is with sincere gratitude that I thank Governor Phil Murphy for staying true to his word and for his consistent efforts to be a champion for civil rights and social Justice,” said Richard T. Smith, President – NAACP NJ State Conference. “Today he has signed an historic piece of legislation that requires that a Prosecutor designated by the Attorney General investigate a police shooting or death in police custody. Across this nation there has been a rash of police shootings against unarmed civilians, overwhelmingly African Americans. I commend Governor Murphy for being a trailblazer in our State because he realizes that this social schism across our nation has bred mistrust, disenfranchisement and alienation in our communities and by his action today he is ensuring that will not be the case in New Jersey!”
“Signing this bill into law is one of the most important actions Gov. Murphy has taken,” said ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha. “With this law in place, New Jersey stands as a national leader in preventing the kinds of conflicts of interest that can arise when local prosecutors investigate the local departments they collaborate with so closely. The Governor recognized that providing accountable, independent investigations does not undermine prosecutors, but strengthens community trust in the fairness of investigations.”
“While we realize this law addressing law enforcement-related deaths is not a silver bullet, it is indeed a good start to righting a wrong and creating trust between African Americans and law enforcement,” said Reverend Charles Boyer, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Woodbury. “We are encouraged by the Governor’s commitment to a stronger and fairer New Jersey that includes us.”
“Our Governor has had a commitment to civil rights social and economic justice before he became Governor and he is continuing this commitment as Governor,” said Reverend Steffie Bartley, Regional Director of the National Action Network. “I am not surprised that he signed the bill. This is who he is.”
“I commend and thank Governor Murphy for signing the Independent Prosecutor bill into law,” said Lawrence Hamm, Chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress. “By signing this bill the Governor once again puts New Jersey at the forefront for social justice. This is a day that will be remembered in the State’s legislative history. It is a major step forward in the struggle for criminal justice reform and accountability.”
“I commend those legislators that sponsored, supported and voted for the bill,” Mr. Hamm continued. “And I especially express my deepest gratitude to those community activists all over the state that have been fighting for years to make this reform a reality.”
“Today is a great day for the people of New Jersey,” said Reva Foster, President of the New Jersey Black Issues Convention. “The New Jersey Black Issues Convention applauds Governor Murphy for signing this bill and taking another step to ensure justice. I am pleased that Governor Murphy continues his commitment to ensuring a stronger and fairer New Jersey for all.”
“Tourne Wildflower Trail Photo Exhibit” to be held
BOONTON — The Rockaway Valley Garden Club will be holding a Tourne Wildflower Trail Photo Exhibit at the Boonton Township Municipal Building. The Boonton Township Municipal Building is located at 155 Powerville Road and the exhibit is open weekdays from February 4 to February 15. A special opening reception will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 4.
The exhibit is open and is free to all. The exhibit titled “Connect with Nature” features photographs by local photographers taken on the Wildflower Trail.
The Wildflower Trail in the Tourne Morris County Park, Boonton Township, was established in 1961 and created and maintained by The Rockaway Valley Garden Club (RVGC) which has members from several Morris County towns including Boonton, Boonton Township, Denville, Mountain Lakes and Parsippany. The trail encompasses several habitats: dry and moist hillsides, stream banks, swamps and wetlands. It is home to a variety of native woodland plants, which bloom throughout the seasons. Since 1998, a deer fence installed by the Morris County Park Commission has protected these fragile plants. RVGC volunteers plant new native flora each year and label them as they maintain the trails and remove invasive species and poison ivy. An informative kiosk, also maintained by the RVGC, welcomes visitors at the gate.
The Club offers guided tours of the Trail to school groups, scout troops, other garden clubs and community organizations as well as interested members of the community.
Information about the Trail and the Garden Club will be available at the Photo Exhibit.
Information for Kindergarten Registration for school year 2019-2020
PARSIPPANY – Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education announced the Kindergarten Registration for the school year 2019-2020 will be held on Monday, March 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
If you don’t know which school is your local elementary school please call (973) 263-7330.
Registration packets may be found on the district website by clicking here, or picked up in the Main Office of your neighborhood school beginning Monday, February 4.
Completed registration papers should be brought with the parent at the time of registration.
Kindergarten Entrance Requirements:
A child whose fifth birthday falls on or before October 1, 2014 may be admitted to kindergarten in September of 2019.
You will need to bring:
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- A copy of your child’s immunizations. (See below)
- An original birth certificate, or passport, to establish proof of age. A lease, a deed, or a current tax bill from your residence. (An Affidavit of Residency from the Superintendent of Schools if the residence where you are living is in someone else’s name.)
- Two of the following additional documents: Utility, telephone bill, or bank statement.
Children entering kindergarten must provide evidence of having the following immunizations: (Students who have not met all immunization requirements shall not be permitted to attend the first day of school.)
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- DPT – a minimum of 4 doses of DPT – one dose must have been administered on or after the fourth birthday. Polio – a minimum of three doses of polio vaccine, provided at least one dose is given on or after the fourth birthday. (OPV given before 4/1/16 is accepted, otherwise, must be IPV).
- Measles – two doses given after the the first birthday (preferably MMR).
- Rubella – at least one dose (preferably MMR) given on or after the first birthday.
- Mumps – at least one dose (preferably MMR) given on or after the first birthday.
- Hepatitis B – three doses prior to entering kindergarten (must meet minimum dose spacing intervals).
- Varicella – one dose after first birthday.
- Mantoux – PPD tuberculin – for children born in some countries outside the USA (Check with School Nurse). A physical examination, done by your family physician,
must be presented to your school prior to attendance in September.
If you have any questions please call Karen Timmerman in the Superintendent’s Office (862) 702-2001.
Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)
- Eastlake Elementary School (K-5), 40 Eba Road, (973) 428-7583;
- Intervale Elementary School (K-5), 60 Pitt Road, (973) 263-7075;
- Knollwood Elementary School (K-5), 445 Knoll Road, (973) 263-7060;
- Lake Hiawatha Elementary (pre-K through 5) 1 Lincoln Avenue, (973) 263-4344;
- Lake Parsippany Elementary School (K-5), 225 Kingston Road, (973) 428-7572;
- Littleton Elementary School (K-5), 51 Brooklawn Drive, (973) 682-2847.
- Mt. Tabor Elementary School (K-5), Route 53 and Park Road, (973) 889-3361;
- Northvail Elementary School (K-5), 10 Eileen Court, (973) 263-7070;
- Rockaway Meadow Elementary School (K-5), 160 Edwards Road, (973) 263-7308;
- Troy Hills Elementary School (K-5), 509 South Beverwyck Road, (973) 428-7588.
Webelos Member Aidan Kane takes first place in Pinewood Derby
PARSIPPANY — Pack 142 held the Pinewood Derby races on Friday, January 25 at the Littleton Elementary School.
Cub Scouts have been building and racing Pinewood Derby® cars since 1953. Partnered with a parent or adult mentor, Cub Scouts work together, strengthening bonds and building confidence – and their own custom race cars.
This year’s race, the winners in the Grand Finals are: First Place: Aidan Kane, Time 2.6506, 186.49 MPH – Webelos; Second Place, Bryce Tizzoni, Time 2.6562, 186.10 MPH, Lion and Third Place Brendan Frade, Time 2.6665, 185.38 MPH, Bears. These finalists will move on to the finals. Aidan came in third place last year when he was just a Bear.
Webelo is a Fourth Grade student; A 10 year old or boy or girl in the fourth grade joins Cub Scouting as a Webelo.
They begin by choosing a car design, then carve it out and detail it with paint, decals and other accessories, and perfect strategies to compete in their pack’s own Pinewood Derby. It’s a wonderful learning experience centered on teamwork, ingenuity and sportsmanship – all for the thrill of the race and a lifetime of great memories to share with fellow racers young and old.
The first race was the Lions. Members of the Lions are Brennan Beadle, Rowen Dunn, Nicholas Ferrante, Matthew Freund, Sambhav Kumar, Bryce Tizzoni, Oliver Troup and Luke Winner.
The winner in the Lion’s race was: First Place: Bryce Tizzoni; Second Place: Matthew Freund and Third Place: Luke Winner.
The second race was the Tigers. Members of the Tigers are Padraig Beadle, Graeson Bonugli, Hanna Chazen, Jonah Hsu, Christian Lanni, Ayush Ravikoti and Gavin Sims.
The winner in the Tiger’s race was: First Place: Graeson Bonugli; Second Place: Hanna Chazen and Third Place: Jonah Hsu.
The third race was the Wolf. Member of the Wolfs are Aneesh Bhupathi, Jack Chazen, Landon Drozdienski, Benjamin Ferrante, Christopher Freund, Aditya Navin and Ronav Sinha.
The winner in the Wolves race was: First Place: Jack Chazen; Second Place: Ronav Sinha and Third Place: Christopher Freund.
The fourth race was the Siblings. The winner in the Siblings race was: First Place: Riley Mazur; Second Place: Jacob Nicholas and Third Place: Dan Martinez.
The fifth race was the Bear. Member of the Wolfs are Thomas Burkart, Joseph Cappuccino, Anthony Cirelli, Michael Corbett, Gregory Ferrante, Brendan Frade, Matteo Lagas, Max Mazur, Charles Rojas, Aarnav Sinha, Neal Spickert-Fulton and Spencer Tizzoni.
The winner in the Bears race was: First Place: Brendan Frade; Second Place: Max Mazur and Third Place was Aarnay Sinha.
The sixth race was the Webelo. Member of the Webelos are Chris Janevski, Stratton Jelley, Aidan Kane, Sarthak Kumar, Connor Lomax, Matthew Martinez, Justin Nguyen, Denis Pokryshka, Michael Schletter, Trevor Sims, Dylan Stevens and Oscar Vidal.
The winner in the Webelo race was: First Place: Aidan Kane; Second Place: Denis Pokryshka and Third Place was Stratton Jelley.
The final race was the Arrow of Light. Member of the Arrow of Light are Ethan Adams, Andrei Filipescu, Anthony Mitrakos, Andrew Nicholas, Shrikar Subramanian and Colin Tiso.
The winner in the Arrow of Light race was: First Place: Andrew Nicholas; Second Place: Shrikar Subramanian and Third Place wasAnthony Mitrakos.
The first Pinewood Derby® was run in Southern California in 1953 by Cub Scout Pack 280C at the Manhattan Beach Scout House, where Cubmaster Don Murphy introduced the idea to his pack. The derby was publicized in Boys’ Life magazine in October 1954 and was an instant hit. The rules set out for the very first race still stand today: “The derby is run in heats – two to four cars starting by gravity from a standstill on a track and run down a ramp to a finish line unaided. The track is an inclined ramp with wood strips down the center to guide the cars.”
Summing it up nicely, the Pinewood Derby’s creator Cubmaster Donald Murphy said, “I wanted to devise a wholesome constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition.” Today the Pinewood Derby® stays close to its roots, giving Cub Scouts an excellent way to learn about craftsmanship, sportsmanship and respect for others through friendly competition.
