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.

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.

MORRIS COUNTY — Donald Dinsmore and William Felegi have teamed up with the former Mayor of Pequannock Township, Cathy Winterfield to form a ticket to win three seats on the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Dinsmore, a Harding resident and Attorney declared back in December of 2018 his intention to run for a seat on the Freeholder Board.  Since then he teamed up with Will Felegi, a veteran of the National Guard who achieved the rank of sergeant as a tanker. He is currently a Middle School teacher who is also the Former Chair of both the Morris County Young Republicans and Jefferson Republican Club.  Most recently the duo announced their formation of a complete ticket aligning themselves with former Mayor and Councilwoman of Pequannock, Cathy Winterfield who is a Financial Administrator at Seton Hall University.

“I am thrilled to be running with Cathy and Will and proud to be using the slogan as ‘The Future of Morris’ because that is what we represent.  We are running to bring open government and a greater focus on affordability to the Board.”, says Don Dinsmore.

Will Felegi had this to say, “Morris County is a great place to live. With a rapidly changing economy and targeted attacks by people that want to turn our state into a Sanctuary county, we need smart, resourceful and talented minds that will bring a new sense of urgency and collaboration to the Board. Don, Cathy and I will be the open, honest and resourceful voices on the Freeholder Board.”

“Public service is an honor that I take seriously and with gratitude. I am excited to bring my intellect and vision to the whole county and to represent our part of the county that has been underrepresented on the Freeholder Board for decades. With my commitment to historical preservation and student development, I feel that our team is best suited to serve the needs of Morris County residents for years to come”, said Cathy Winterfield.

You can learn more about the team of Dinsmore, Felegi and Winterfield by clicking here.

MORRIS COUNTY — This event has been postponed to Friday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. due to weather conditions.

The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices is rapidly becoming a household name in Morris County. Word is spreading about the many initiatives being instituted by this unique, powerful group that provides the community with facts and information in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. Everyone is quickly realizing the benefit to families when they sign-on. The importance of introducing kids to new activities and promoting substance-free events that keep them occupied (such as sports, exercise, career days, teen dances and activities with law enforcement) is of paramount concern when it provides ways to uphold a child’s self-esteem. The Coalition is a proactive team comprised of elected officials, law enforcement, educational leaders and concerned citizens who are up to date on the latest crazes and abuses that are plaguing our children.

Please join officers and police departments from all over the state at the Coalition’s Annual Law Enforcement Night, on March 8, at 7:00 p.m. to be held at Mennen Sports Arena, 161 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown.

It is at this event that youngsters get to see firsthand how law enforcement officers are positive influences in our community.  Law Enforcement Night has been known to further develop these relationships often providing career opportunities for teens who might not have ever considered such a path.

The equipment on display at this event is known to even awe adults.  Never will one see such an array of machinery like this at one location.  Kids are able to ride the horses provided by the Park Police, see the Morris County Hope Van, jump in helicopters, ambulances, emergency vehicles of every shape and size, wear riot gear, try on handcuffs and comingle with the law enforcement community in a fun atmosphere.

The important aspect to remember here is that law enforcement is trained to make these kids feel safe and important.  Confidence and self-esteem go a long way in helping a child say no to his peers when the time arises.

MORRIS COUNTY — The County College of Morris Board of Trustees, along with the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, regional and state officials, industry leaders, students and faculty, marked the groundbreaking today for a state-of-the art Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center.

Some 200 100 people gathered at CCM to celebrate the plans for the $11 million center designed to address employment needs and growing industry demands.

Funding for the center is being provided by the State of New Jersey, Morris County and private donations.

The 31,500-square-foot facility is expected to open spring 2020.

Developed with the input of industry leaders, the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center will feature the latest technology and equipment to prepare the workforce of the future, provide current employees with cutting-edge training and offer faculty, students and industry the opportunity to work collaboratively on solutions and new developments.

The center is being constructed on property the college owns near 675 Route 10, which houses the Public Safety and Information Systems departments.

“This new facility, like all of our buildings, is more than a structure. It is a resource for the community. As such, it is intended to support regional manufacturers by providing an innovative and inspiring learning environment where today’s students become tomorrow’s engineers,” said CCM President Anthony J. Iacono.

“It will allow CCM to expand upon its work of producing a pipeline of skilled workers. And, equally important, it provides a home-base for all regional manufacturers who seek to ensure that their current employees have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge training so their companies can remain industry leaders.”

“This facility will fully prepare our students for new and good-paying jobs,” added Morris County Freeholder Director Douglas Cabana. “It also is a response to the workforce demands of county and regional employers in addressing the need for skilled workers, with the most up-to-date training.”

Also included in the program were Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco; Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce; New Jersey Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Robert Asaro-Angelo, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Higher Education Diana Gonzalez, Morris County Chamber of Commerce President Meghan Hunscher, Glenbrook Technologies CEO Gil Zweig, and CCM Electronics Engineering Technology Major and former Glenbrook Technologies intern Cindy Rampersad.

Manufacturing and engineering are vital parts of the Morris County economy, but meeting the need for skilled employees is challenging as those industries continue to grow and new demands develop. The center is designed to address a multitude of needs within the manufacturing and engineering sectors.

The facility will feature two electronics labs, two prototyping labs, two computer labs, a 3D printing room, an analysis lab, an automation and controls/robotics/emerging technologies lab, a measuring and materials testing lab, a welding lab, maker space, conference rooms, classrooms and offices. Serving as architect for the project is USA Architects of Somerville.

Currently, CCM offers associate degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology, Engineering Science and Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Through its Division of Workforce Development, the college also provides an extensive offering of skills training in such areas as Auto CAD, Program Management, Shop Math and Measurement, Six Sigma, Supply Chain Management and more.

Construction of the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center will free up space in the college’s current engineering and manufacturing lab, which will allow for the construction of The Paragano Family Foundation Healthcare Simulation Center. Through the CCM Foundation’s “Forward” Campaign, the Paragano Family Foundation provided a leadership gift to support that initiative. Along with development of the simulation center, CCM will be expanding its healthcare programs.

For more information on the college’s Manufacturing and Engineering programs click here. For information on its Workforce Development programs click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) questioned Governor Murphy’s motive to provide a multi-million dollar tax subsidy to Hollywood’s film industry while simultaneously increasing taxes that negatively impact New Jersey’s shore homeowners and the summer tourism industry.

Senator Joe Pennacchio questions Governor Murphy’s motive to provide a multi-million dollar tax subsidy to Hollywood’s film industry while simultaneously increasing taxes that negatively impact New Jersey’s shore homeowners and the summer tourism industry.

“Governor Murphy’s tax break for the Hollywood film industry stands in stark contrast to his tax hike on New Jersey shore house renters,” Pennacchio said. “While the Hollywood-connected elite will enjoy $425 million in subsidies, beach renters could pay up to an additional 14 percent in taxes. This could amount to hundreds of dollars in fees on what was once an affordable family vacation. The owners of these shore rentals are also paying an unfair price, on top of the already high taxes and operational costs required to maintain their properties.

“Why is Governor Murphy bankrolling Hollywood millionaires, while raising taxes on the little guy? This is completely unfair. If anyone should be given a tax break, it’s the hardworking families who have to scrape together extra funds just to afford a Jersey Shore rental. Governor – forget about your friends in Hollywood. The people you were elected to serve in New Jersey deserve your help first.”

Months before the recent release of the State Comptroller report, which shed light on New Jersey’s disastrous system for awarding tax breaks, Senator Pennacchio sent a letter to the New Jersey State Auditor requesting that the office examine the return on investments that are associated with the New Jersey film tax credits.

According to the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services, the New Jersey film credit could result in a net loss of $425 million to the state. OLS was also unable to quantify if and what revenue New Jersey could expect to gain from this program.

Numerous studies have questioned the effectiveness of state tax breaks on the film industry.

The number of states offering similar film tax credits has fallen from 44 to 31 in the past ten years, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.

Pennacchio added that this film tax break comes at a time when the state is raising taxes on families, business owners, corporations, and short-term shore house rentals.

New Jersey’s tourism sector is a $43 billion dollar industry, with a large portion of revenue being made in the summer months at the beach. Jersey Shore homeowners are already feeling the impact of the renters’ tax, with fewer renters signing up than previous seasons.

“There is no excuse for continuing to raise taxes on everyday people who live and work and vacation in New Jersey. It’s outrageous. They are already paying the highest taxes in the country,” Pennacchio added. “Let’s be clear: OLS has determined that the film tax credit has no guarantee of producing a return on investment, so why do it? If they really want to create jobs, Governor Murphy and his fellow Democrats should focus on creating a business-friendly climate, rather than creating programs that pick winners and losers, or handing out favors to their friends and donors in the private sector.”