PARSIPPANY — Bryant University is committed to the pursuit, recognition, and celebration of academic success. Shane Vyskocil, class of 2019, from Parsippany, has been named to Bryant University’s Deans’ List for the fall 2018 semester. Shane is a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2015.
Shane has been also named to the President’s List for the fall 2018 semester. The President’s List is an academic distinction reserved for Bryant’s highest achievers who earn a GPA of 4.0 or better for at least 12 semester hours of work.
Congratulations to Shane on this outstanding achievement!
For 156 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. Bryant delivers an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education that inspires students to excel. With approximately 3,700 graduate and undergraduate students from 38 states and 53 countries, Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Barron’s, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer R. Taylor observed a 2012 Nissan Rogue with an equipment violation and also found the registered owner to have a suspended license.
He conducted a motor vehicle stop and spoke to the driver, Francinelly Deoliveira, 38, North Arlington. While speaking to her, he detected the odor of raw marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle.
The driver, along with the passenger, Patricia Lima, 31, Newark, were both removed from the vehicle. Patrol Officer W. Torres-Czajka arrived on scene to assist.
During the initial investigation, both occupants were placed under arrest after a vape pen containing suspected THC oil was found. After further inquiry, they were also advised that they were being arrested for prostitution. They were both transported to police headquarters for processing.
While there, they were both charged with the following:
• Prostitution, a Disorderly Persons Offense
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Disorderly Persons Offense
• Possession of Less than 5 grams of Hashish, a Disorderly Persons Offense
Mrs. Deoliveira was also charged with Improper Display of a License Plate. They were both released on their own recognizance pending their 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.
MORRIS COUNTY — The first Morris County Chick-fil-A being built in the Briarcliff Commons Shopping Center on the corner of Route 10 and Route 202 in Morris Plains.
The Morris Plains Board of Adjustment approved the application from Morris Plains Holding UE LLC to construct a 4,836 square foot, free-standing restaurant with a drive-thru window. They are expected to open in the beginning of May.
The most popular item on the Chick-fil-A menu is the waffle fry. They are arguably the tastiest way to eat a tater.
There’s no doubt that the Waffle Fries seem to be the perfect side for just about anything else on the lunch and dinner menu. Cooked with canola oil and sea salt, put simply, they are pure perfection!
There are 36 Chick-fil-A restaurants in New Jersey, six of them in North Jersey with two in Paramus, one in Union, one in Teterboro, one in Jersey City and one in Englewood.
Chick-fil-A is an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in the city of College Park, Georgia, specializing in chicken sandwiches. Founded in May 1946, it operates more than 2,200 restaurants, primarily in the United States. The restaurant serves breakfast before transitioning to its lunch and dinner menu.
MORRIS COUNTY — Electronics industry giant Ricoh USA has leased 55,893 square feet at 2 Gatehall Drive, Parsippany, announced Cushman & Wakefield. The new location will house back-office operations for the production print products, services and solutions firm.
Cushman & Wakefield’s William O’Keefe, Charles P. Parmelli, Curtis Foster, and Jerry Shifrin represented landlord Silverman Realty Group Inc., of White Plains, N.Y. in brokering the long-term lease. Drew W. Persson of Newmark Knight Frank served as broker for Ricoh USA, which will relocate to 2 Gatehall from West Caldwell.
A recently completed, multi-million-dollar renovation at the Class A office property was key in securing the Ricoh USA commitment, according to O’Keefe. “Silverman Realty Group orchestrated a comprehensive improvement program to elevate 2 Gatehall’s position as a go-to address,” he said. “This effort to attract high-end companies and build on an already impressive tenant roster is proving out.”
“The redesigned, three-story atrium lobby serves as a central common area and access point to 2 Gatehall’s offices and amenities and features a new skylight installation, an innovative, multi-purpose furniture plan and modern finishes,” stated Parmelli. This space is large enough to host town hall-style meetings and includes a technology package and workspaces, while also serving as a social gathering area with lounge-style seating and a fireplace. A new full-service café provides breakfast and lunch, offering hot and cold stations as well as catering options for meetings and events. The main dining area for the café is located off the central atrium with additional outdoor courtyard seating. Tenants also enjoy an espresso bar serving hot drinks and grab-and-go food options.
Other onsite amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center with all-new training equipment and a private yoga studio, adjacent to new locker facilities. 2 Gatehall offers raised floors designed for convenient wiring and IT infrastructure, and houses a new 600kw three-phase generator available for tenant use. An enhanced security package includes a 24/7/365 manned desk, multiple cameras, keycard access at various entryways and a centralized control panel.
2 Gatehall is located in a market populated by numerous Fortune 500 companies and corporate headquarters operations. “This is the heart of Morris County’s business corridor,” O’Keefe noted. “Within it, 2 Gatehall sits at the intersection of Routes 10 and 202, just minutes away from I-287 and I-80, providing multiple access points from both main thoroughfares and congestion-free back roads. Nearby train and bus services, retail, restaurants and hotels – including an adjacent Residence Inn – add to its appeal.”
Cushman & Wakefield currently is marketing units from 10,000 to 118,000 square feet at 2 Gatehall.
PARSIPPANY — For the past two weeks, preschoolers at the Goddard School have collected over 1000 of pajamas – surpassing their initial goal of 900 pajamas! The students at the Parsippany Goddard School collected over 40 pajamas.
The pint-sized preschoolers’ pajama drive is in partnership with Pajama Program, who believes every child deserves to change into cozy, clean pajamas before bedtime.
The Goddard School is located at 311 Smith Road.
At Pajama Program, they know that this doesn’t have to be their story. They know that they can do something that not only validates their worth and shows them love, but that also transforms their nights and their days. By offering the magical gifts of pajamas and books, they bring a caring bedtime ritual into their lives. Changing out of their clothes and into warm, cozy pajamas lets them shed the stresses of their day, trading them for feelings of warmth and hope. With enchanting stories, their imaginations are opened, helping them to dream again. These unconditional gifts fill them with love and a feeling of being cared for, transitioning them to bedtime and delivering a good night — preparing them for a good day that leads to a better life.
For more information on the Pajama Program click here.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio has introduced legislation urging the United Nations to seat India as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, pictured in the photo above. The resolution has received the support of India’s Consulate General
MORRIS COUNTY — As part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties with the New Jersey’s Indian community and in recognition of India’s longstanding global peace initiatives, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) has introduced legislation urging the United Nations to seat India as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
Senator Joe Pennacchio
“As the largest democracy in the world, India has proven to be a worthy partner in our efforts to maintain peace and security throughout the globe. The United Nations Security Council was established with this noble goal in mind. It’s time for the Council to recognize what the U.S. has long held to be true: that India is one of our strongest allies in that fight,” Senator Pennacchio said. “We have reaped the rewards of this international friendship in New Jersey, where more and more Indian-Americans continue to grow and prosper in the land they now call home.
“I urge the UN Security Council to honor this bond of friendship, by immediately instating India as a permanent member of the council. We cannot continue to take their military and economic contributions for granted. India is certainly deserving of a seat at the table.”
The United Nations Security Council is currently composed of 15 members. The five permanent members include: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There are also 10 non-permanent members, with nonconsecutive two-year terms, that are elected on a regional basis.
Although India has been a member of the United Nations since the UN’s inception in 1945, India has only served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for seven terms. This is despite the fact that nation has been a strong participant in many multilateral international and regional organizations, such as the G20 Summit and the World Trade Organization.
With more than 1. 3 billion citizens, India represents one-sixth of the global population. India has the second largest military and the second largest labor force. They are also one of the fastest-growing major economies worldwide.
The Trump Administration expressed its support of making India a permanent member of the UN SEC as recently as last September.
Senator Pennacchio’s resolution, SR-114, is also sponsored by fellow Senate Republican, Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), a longtime advocate for Indian-Americans in New Jersey.
“The New York-New Jersey metro area is home to the largest concentration of Indians in the United States, making our State Legislature an appropriate advocate for granting India a seat on the UN Security Council,” Senator Thompson noted. “The nuclear challenges we are facing from abroad, and the tenuous circumstances in the Middle East, mandate that the United States maintain strong, strategic partnerships with allies that are loyal and committed to our cause. We cannot continue to address these challenges on a united, global scale without establishing India as a permanent member of the Security Council. For the sake of our world and the health and welfare of future generations, I hope that the U.N. heeds our call to action immediately.”
The resolution has also received the support of the Consul General of India.
“As an organization, the United Nations must evolve and adapt itself to a rapidly changing environment and to serve better the needs of the world community,” Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India, said. “It is India’s belief that no reform of the United Nations is complete without the composition of the Security Council changing to reflect contemporary realities of the 21st century. This requires expansion in the membership of the Security Council in both the permanent and non – permanent categories. By any objective criteria, such as population, territorial size, GDP, economic potential, civilizational legacy, cultural diversity, political system and past and ongoing contributions to the activities of the UN — especially to UN peacekeeping operations — India is eminently qualified for permanent membership. India has affirmed its willingness and capacity to shoulder the responsibilities of permanent membership.”
PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders introduced a $1.2 million ordinance for the rehabilitation of space at the county’s Central Avenue Complex in Parsippany to create new and expanded quarters for children who attend the Head Start Community Program of Morris County in the Morristown region.
The new facility would double Head Start’s capacity in this area, allowing it to accommodate additional underprivileged children in the program, which currently operates in space provided by the county, for a minimal annual fee, at its Morris View building in Morris Township.
Head Start children at breakfast
The Freeholder Board should consider final adoption of the ordinance at its February 27 meeting, which could lead to a bidding process for the construction project by late March or early April. The new center likely would open in late 2019 or early 2020.
“Head Start offers a very important services to some of Morris County’s most in need children and families,” said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “We have been working closely with Head Start so we can improve their space and offer this important program to even more of our Morris County children.”
“Head Start is very grateful for our longstanding partnership with Morris County, which enables us to provide life-changing services for the area’s most vulnerable children and families,” said Head Start of Morris County Executive Director Susan O’Donnell. “This project leverages county, state and federal resources that work together to break the cycle of poverty for the neediest families in our community,” she added.
O’Donnell explained that with the opening of this new Head Start facility in the county’s Central Avenue Complex, twice as many families in the general Morristown area would be able to access free early childhood programs.
These families also could connect to a wide array of human services available at the same location.
Financing approved by the Board of Freeholders for the construction work is a loan to Head Start, which would reimburse county taxpayers for the project.
The county and Head Start will negotiate an annual lease for the new space. Head Start now pays the county just $8,000 annually for its Morris View location.
Since 2005, Head Start has leased space from the county to provide services for preschoolers from low-income families in the Morristown area. It currently occupies three classrooms in a second-floor wing of the Morris View Healthcare Center, in addition to the program’s main site in Dover.
The new facility would serve 90 preschoolers, including children with special needs. Free, full-day preschool services would be offered through a Federal Head Start grant and a preschool education expansion aid collaboration with the Morris School District.
Wrap-around childcare and summer programming also is planned to support working parents.
The mission of Head Start Community Program of Morris County, founded in 1965, is to partner with families to provide comprehensive support for child development and school readiness, from prenatal through kindergarten ages, for the community’s most vulnerable children.
The organization serves 245 families countywide, providing free programs for expectant mothers, infants, toddlers and preschoolers in Morris County. Head Start services are designed to be responsive to the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage of each child and family.
The agency’s early childhood programs have achieved 4-star quality ratings through Grow NJ Kids, the state’s quality rating system for early care and education programs.
Information about services is available by calling Head Start at (973) 989-1430, or through the organization’s website by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — With more than 1.3 million drones registered with the FAA and possibly as many unregistered, the potential for criminals or terrorists to arm an unmanned aircraft and use it to threaten, injure, or kill people is sky high.
That danger was realized by Assemblyman Jay Webber, who sponsors legislation (A1739) criminalizing weaponized drones. It unanimously passed the Assembly Homeland Security Committee today.
“This is a situation where the law should keep pace with the technology,” said Webber (R-Morris). “While recreational drones have many harmless and fun uses, a weaponized drone in the wrong hands is just plain dangerous. The U.S. military has had great success with pilotless planes on the battlefield. The potential grows for bad guys using armed drones to turn a crowded event into a crime scene, and our law should be updated to deter and punish the weaponizing of drones.”
The bill prohibits unmanned aircraft mounted with explosives, firearms, or projectiles that could injure or kill. Violations are punishable with fines of $10,000 and 18 months in prison.
Elks member Walt Rusin, Merri Duchak, Mike Markoski, Sean Rice, Joe Serrecchia, Scott Burns, Eric Bisch, Brian Mohr, Janet Nemec and Mike Pietrowicz
PARSIPPANY — On Wednesday February 13, Merri Duchak, Janet Nemec and Parsippany Elks Lodge member Mike Pietrowicz presented a check for $2,000 donation to the Elk’s Camp Moore for Special Needs Children.
The donation was made in the honor of Larry Eckel. Larry was an avid supporter and dedicated countless hours on this Elks Special Needs Children committee for many years. Larry was passionate about this cause and the children were very near and dear to Larry’s heart…he truly cared about each and every one of these special kids!!
The donation came from an organization called “The Friends of Doug Duchak”. Merri, Janet and Mike are members on this foundation which helps raise money for two important causes that were close to Doug’s heart…recreational and social opportunities for individuals with special needs and scholarships for deserving high school students.
The organization, with the help from Mike, decided to choose Camp Moore to donate to this year. The Elks graciously thanks you for your generosity and most importantly, helping our Special Needs Children.
Elks Camp Moore for Special Needs Children is tucked away in the hill of the Ramapo Mountains. Elks Camp Moore offers a fun filled vacation away from home for children with special needs. A week at Elks Camp Moore is a remarkable experience not soon to be forgotten. The primary goal of the camp is to further develop the recreational and social skills of each child. In a relaxed and accepting atmosphere , each camper experiences new adventures, lasting friendships, and opportunities that promote independence and greater self-confidence.
For more information on The Friends of Doug Duchak, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Office cleaners, ignored by their employer, Eastern Essential Services, Inc., rallied on Valentine’s Day to have their benefits restored, after their employer slashed them. The group of workers rallied outside of 389-399 Interpace Parkway.
Solidarity Rally to restore benefits (includes health insurance, pension, paid time off, legal and training fund) and meet with the building owners.
Eastern eliminated meaningful benefits that the workers had under the prior contractor, including health insurance, pension, paid time off, legal and training fund.
“I need the benefits,” said John Hernandez, a cleaner. “I’m disappointed that I’m getting less while still doing the same work. This isn’t fair to me or to my family who depend on this job.”
The former union contractor for the buildings was replaced with Eastern Essential Services, Inc., in 2018. Eastern hired the incumbent union-represented workers. Eastern eliminated meaningful benefits and told them that there would be no union at the site.
32BJ has requested meetings to resolve these issues with the building owners, Vision RE Partners and Rubenstein Partners, for nearly one year.
“After many attempts to meet with Vision RE Partners and Rubenstein Partners to settle this, we must rally with our brothers and sisters who deserve family sustaining wages and basic benefits,” said Kevin Brown, 32BJ Vice President and NJ District Director. “We’re hoping that the building owners can employ a responsible contractor that meets the high standards both clients and workers. We’re calling on the owners to do the right thing and end the suffering. We will not back down.”
In July 2015, the National Labor Relations Board found that Eastern, at other worksites, wrongfully terminated janitors for their union affiliation. The NLRB ruled that Eastern was to reinstate the workers and recognize the union. Eastern agreed to pay $600,000 in back pay and had substantial legal fees.
With 163,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
PARSIPPANY — With a background of proven bipartisanship, public service, and a successful career in business, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce announced her plans to seek re-election in the 26th District this year promising to be a check and balance against the extreme policies of Governor Phil Murphy and a voice of common sense in Trenton.
“The people in my district want a representative who is willing to compromise in order to get things done, but who is also unafraid to take a stand when extreme policies in Trenton threaten our taxpayers and our quality of life,” said DeCroce.
DeCroce will continue to fight for improving affordability for the middle-class, making life easier for small business owners, ensuring students receive a high-quality education, and making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
“Unlike most Trenton politicians, I refuse to believe that spending more money is the answer to every problem,” said DeCroce. “We need to stop with the band aid approach and advance real reform of our failed school funding formula that is cheating students and punishing taxpayers. Moreover, we need to make healthcare more affordable by holding insurance companies accountable and putting healthcare decisions back in the hands of patients and their doctors.”
A successful private business owner for years, DeCroce previously served as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and has been a trailblazer for women in politics and government since the early 1980’s. She has served in the Assembly since 2012.
PARSIPPANY — Meet Bella, a one-year-old Beagle! This beauty was unfortunately surrendered to Wise Animal Rescue because her family did not want to exercise, train, or take care of her. While her previous situation was sad, we are so happy to have her in the rescue to find her forever home!
Bella is a petite princess who gets along with just about everyone and everything! She has attended playgroup before and was professionally trained. She is potty-trained and not destructive when left alone.
Since she is a young dog, she will need a family who loves to play with her and continue her training. Bella is super smart and super affectionate–happily accepting pets from anyone she meets!
If you’re looking for a young, happy dog to add to your family, apply to adopt Bella!
If you are interested in adopting Bella, please fill out an application by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — Love Like Ashley Bingo Night “third annual fundraiser” will be held on Saturday, March 16 at the Parsippany PAL Building, 33 Baldwin Road. They will play some Bingo, win some prizes and raise money for the Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund! All proceeds will fund two annual scholarships to graduating seniors at Parsippany High School and Parsippany Hills High School. The Fund also supports philanthropic causes in and around Parsippany.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; Bingo calling starts at 7:00 p.m.
BYOB & Snacks
21+ only
$25.00 per ticket
Ticket price includes admission and a packet of Bingo boards for each regular game. Additional boards will be available for cash purchase at the event.
Two 50/50 games will be played. Boards will be available for cash purchase at the event.
We will have a Tricky Tray at the event. Ticket packets will be available for cash purchase at the event.
The Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund, established in 2016, is a tribute to Ashley Nicole Cistaro. Ashley passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on March 27, 2016.
About The Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund
Ashley was a sweet, loving, kind and happy nine year old whose scrunchy smile warmed the hearts of everyone who knew her. All it took was an introduction, and Ashley considered you her friend. She welcomed everyone into her circle with open arms. Even as a young girl, her empathy and compassion for others extended well beyond her years. She lived her life to make others feel accepted and always celebrated others’ successes regardless of her own. Her heart, mind and soul were filled with kindness, joy, love and so many sparkles. She wasn’t afraid to be herself and never felt the need to follow the crowd. Ashley truly was an angel on earth.
Ashley loved and adored her people: Mommy, Daddy, big sister Ella, her puppy Huey, her kitty Charlie, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and each and every one of her teachers and friends with her whole heart. She loved cupcakes, cookies, all things peanut butter, lip gloss morning, noon and night, cheerleading, dancing, being silly, the beach and anything pink, purple and sparkly. Ashley was a joy to be around, and truly left a little sparkle wherever she went.
The Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund exists as a community fund to support local, philanthropic causes that honor Ashley’s all-accepting, selfless, empathetic spirit. In addition, an annual scholarship will be awarded to a student who has overcome personal challenges and has demonstrated the qualities that Ashley possessed throughout their high school career.
While donations are much appreciated and what will keep this fund going for years to come, the Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund is solely about honoring Ashley’s beautiful spirit in all that we do. Be a friend to someone who needs one. Enjoy the little things in life…Snuggle with your loved ones. Say I love you any chance you get. Be silly and make people laugh. When life gets difficult, keep going and don’t ever give up. Most importantly, spread kindness where it is needed most.
Ashley was taken from us far too soon. In her short time here she created a legacy with her kind, sparkly spirit. Above all things, it is our hope that all who come upon this fund will dedicate their lives and choose to live and Love Like Ashley.
Many state policy leaders treat New Jersey’s economy as if it were a stately mansion to be admired. They pretend to noticed that the termites have eaten the columns by the front door, that the roof leaks and that the foundation has begun to crumble. If the state’s economy were a house for sale it would be listed as outdated and in need of significant structural repairs.
As the state’s chief “realtor” Gov. Murphy’s sales pitch for New Jersey is that the house just needs a coat of paint and all will be fine. The reality is the state’s economic house needs a lot more than cosmetic makeovers.
To the nation’s business community, the state is an economic eyesore. New Jersey routinely places at or near the bottom in almost every economic analysis of American states. It has the worst business climate in the country; it has among the highest business and personal taxes; it’s overregulated; its electric utility rates are high and it has one the highest debt loads in the country. And its high property taxes are making home ownership unaffordable for middle-class workers.
Instead of addressing crucial structural issues with the state’s economy – like lowering corporate and property taxes, the leadership in this state has determined that that it’s more important to boost the minimum wage to $15, raise taxes on job producing people, legalize marijuana and lay down a welcome mat for illegal immigrants at taxpayers’ expense.
The Murphy administration tried to lure Amazon to Newark with an outrageous $7 billion incentive. Amazon thumbed its nose at New Jersey’s enticement and decided to open its headquarters in Queens, NY and Virginia – which combined offered billions less than New Jersey.
Our Wall Street governor says he is pursuing well-paying high-tech jobs, but he gleefully settles for low paying, low skill jobs. While other states are getting Amazon’s six figure jobs, New Jersey gets Amazon’s warehouse jobs such as the one opening in Edison, which is staffed by 50 robots and many disgruntled human workers currently making less than $15 an hour. In his State of the State message, he beamed at the expansion of RealReal Inc. but the company is nothing more than an online consignment shop that pays wages ranging from $15 to $20 per hour. https://www.indeed.com/cmp/The-Realreal/salaries
While the governor pursues his Progressive “fairness economy” he is fumbling the opportunity to unlock New Jersey’s potential to attract investments that create jobs that support middle class families.
According to a recent report, the average salary in New Jersey ($57,000) is not enough to afford the average rent of $2,062. A $15.00 minimum wage will not help. State property taxes now average $8,700 a year; New Jersey has the sixth highest personal income tax rate in the nation (8.97 percent); one of the highest corporate tax rates (9 percent) the third highest per capita tax ($6,709) and the sixth highest debt. Consequently, young people and retirees are fleeing the state – and business owners are taking note that the administration’s response to affordability is more taxes and more regulation.
If the governor is seeking a “fairness economy,” shouldn’t he be focusing on creating an environment that attracts good paying jobs for Millennials and older adults who want to own a home? Jobs in technology and manufacturing that lift people out of poverty are going to less expensive states. Companies like Mercedes Benz and Honeywell Inc, are taking their high paying jobs to Georgia and North Carolina and it’s not hard to figure out why.
North Carolina’s corporate tax rate is third lowest in the nation, ours is the 47th highest at 9 percent. As a percentage of home value, New Jersey’s property taxes more than double North Carolina’s. (www.tax-rates.org/taxtables/property-tax-by-state). Georgia is ranked 33rd in business climate but last year approved legislation to lower its top individual and corporate income tax rates from 6.0 to 5.5 percent
Amidst New Jersey’s economic gloom, the governor has established commissions to develop ways to bring 300,000 good paying jobs to the state. His Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, is staffed with academics, who never ran a business, and owners of very small businesses, one of which is based in Manhattan and ranks 2,689 on the Inc.com list of top 5,000 companies in the U.S.
The governor has set up opportunity zones in 169 of the state’s poorest areas. But a recent report on the zones from the Tax Foundation suggest that: “…place-based incentive programs redistribute rather than generate new economic activity, subsidize investments that would have occurred anyway, and displace low-income residents….” In other words, opportunity zones, like the current state Economic Development Agency, will be of little or no help to economic growth.
Moreover, the findings and recommendations of the governor’s commissions will be irrelevant if the majority party in Trenton fails to take the actions necessary to energize the economy: cut spending and regulation, lower taxes and make the state affordable for the middle class.
If the governor’s administration is truly serious about improving the state’s economy, it will have to take the painful steps necessary to get the state off the floor of nearly every national measure of economic health. To pretend that the governor’s progressive agenda is benefitting working families is like slapping a coat of paint on a crumbling house – it looks good, but doesn’t stop the roof from leaking.
BettyLou DeCroce represents Legislative District 26 (Morris Essex & Passaic counties) and is a small business owner.
Third-place winner Sahaj Bhandari, first-place winner Sanjana Veggalam (both from Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills), and second-place winner Lucas Zablocki, (GFWC Woman’s Club of the Denville – Rockaway Area.). Back row: Denville Mayor Tom Andes
PARSIPPANY — The NJSFWC sponsors an annual spelling bee program, with women’s clubs throughout the state hosting local events. In the Highland district, several women’s clubs organized spelling bees representing thirty schools. They sent their winners to a district spelling bee held in Rockaway on February 2.
Congratulations to the NJSFWC Highlands District spelling bee winners: first-place winner Sanjana Veggalam, third-place winner Sahaj Bhandari, (both from Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills), and second-place winner Lucas Zablocki, (GFWC Woman’s Club of the Denville – Rockaway Area.)
These three District winners will participate in the State Federation’s Annual State Spelling Bee, to be held Saturday, March 2nd at NJSFWC Headquarters, located on the Douglass campus in New Brunswick. Good luck to all!
It takes a lot of work and volunteer hours to host a successful spelling bee. Thanks to Denville’s Mayor, Tom Andes, Denville’s library director, Siobhan Koch, and NJSFWC Highlands District Vice President, Judy Filippini, who acted as judges, and members of the three women’s clubs (Denville-Rockaway, Parsippany Troy-Hills, and Vernon) who helped organize and support the district spelling bee.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department is hosting a free 10 week Citizen’s Police Academy program held every Thursday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. starting on March 7 through May 9 at the Parsippany Police Athletic League (PAL) located at 33 Baldwin Road.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is limited to twenty applicants and is available on a first come, first serve basis by completing the application which can be found online prior to the classes at www.parpolice.com. Click here to download the application.
Applicants must be:
* 18 years of age or older
* Residents of Parsippany
* Parsippany business owners (on a limited basis)
* Parsippany township employees (on a limited basis)
The goal is to increase communication and partnership between the citizens and the police through education and discussion in order to establish a safer community. The classes provide an in-depth view into various areas of law enforcement such as criminal investigations, use of force, officer safety, motor vehicle stops and advancements in technology utilized in law enforcement today. Information is gained through classroom and practical scenarios.
Applications for the Citizen’s Police Academy can be completed and submitted by visiting www.parpolice.comor by saving and emailing the completed form to Community Relations Officer Remo D’Alessandro at socialmedia@parpolice.com.
A minimum attendance of eight classes is required in order to attend graduation.
Back Row L to R: Ann Claassen, Beverly Frischer, Janet Reilly, Lois Brown
Front Row L to R: Bernadette Cicchino (Project Chairman), Lorraine Steinsberger, Joan Garbarino. Photo Courtesy of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills
PARSIPPANY — Valentine’s Day became a happier occasion at the Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS) when the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills donated Valentine candy hearts and lipsticks for the women in residence.
Having been betrayed by a spouse or significant other, either emotionally or physically, Valentine’s Day can be fraught with regret, sadness and anxiety for those suffering from domestic violence. Club members wanted to offer their love and support through this small personal gesture of candy hearts and lipsticks.
The new lipsticks, provided by Find Your Fabulosity, serve as a reminder for these women that they are beautiful and worthy inside and out. Each child resident also received a personal valentine card along with a smile bag filled with novelties and candy. The club also donated boxes of Valentine Cards for the children to distribute to friends and family
To learn more about JBWS click here. More information about Find Your Fabulosity can be found by clicking here.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of NJSFWC, 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 and Recovery, 100 Centerton Drive. For more information call Marilyn at (973) 539-3703, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, or click here for website.
Applebee's is located at 1057 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center
PARSIPPANY — Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar announced the launch of its Second annual Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest, which will recognize top teachers – as nominated by their students – by awarding them with a sponsorship check and end-of-year class party, courtesy of Applebee’s. The contest is being offered at Applebee’s restaurants in New Jersey owned and operated by local franchisee, Doherty Enterprises. Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar is located at 1057 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center.
Specifically, Applebee’s will award six deserving teachers from 13 counties* with a $500 sponsorship check to use towards their classroom for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year, along with an end-of-year party for their current class. To nominate a teacher, students must submit an essay in-person at their local Applebee’s explaining why their teacher deserves to be “Teacher of the Year.” To sweeten the deal, students who enter an essay will receive a FREE ice cream certificate** to Applebee’s. Contest submissions will be accepted at participating Applebee’s restaurants from January 7 through March 3 and winners will be announced on Monday, April 8, 2019.
“We are thrilled to be holding our second annual Above and BEEyond Teacher Essay Contest at our New Jersey restaurants,” said Kevin Coughlin, director of operations, Applebee’s New Jersey. “Our restaurants are committed to giving back to the local community, especially schools within the communities we serve. The overwhelming support from last year’s campaign reminded us what an integral role teachers play in building a better community.”
Doherty Enterprises is committed to involvement in the communities it serves and is proud to support education year-round through its “A is for Applebee’s” program, which was created for teachers, libraries and scout leaders to use as an incentive for children to succeed and be rewarded. The program gives children an incentive to go the extra mile to help other students, read more books and make the Honor Roll. By obtaining the certificate from Applebee’s, children also gain a sense of accomplishment. Through this, and several other initiatives including donations, fundraisers, sponsorships and participation in community events, Doherty Enterprises gives back to local causes, helping organizations grow and flourish.
For more information about how Doherty Enterprises and its restaurants support local communities, or to get involved in one of the youth programs click here.
*One winner will be selected from each set of counties, grouped together by the following geographic areas, (Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon), (Bergen, Passaic, Essex), (Hudson, Union), (Morris, Sussex, Warren), (Monmouth), (Ocean).
**Limit one per person. Valid only at participating Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises.
PARSIPPANY — On Friday, February 8, Liquid Church partnered with The Tim Tebow Foundation to host Night To Shine, an unforgettable worldwide prom night experience designed especially for teens and adults ages 14 and older with special needs.
At Night To Shine, guests were greeted by their very own buddy who served as their host for the evening. Guests walked the red carpet and enjoyed the VIP treatment, including a friendly paparazzi welcome, flowers,Beauty Bar with hair and makeup stations, great food, fun games, and of course…the chance to dance the night away! The event was complete with a crowning ceremony where each guest will become a prom king or queen.
“It was a joy to serve our friends with special needs from Parsippany and Morris County through Night to Shine! The highlight was crowning each of our VIP guests as kings and queens made in God’s image and celebrating their special talents & unique abilities,” stated Tim Lucas is the founder & Lead Pastor Liquid Church.
This year, Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, was hosted simultaneously by 655 churches in all 50 states and in 24 countries, including Albania, Burundi, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, US, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Preliminary estimation of more than 100,000 people with special needs attended Night to Shine proms and each one of them was crowned a King or a Queen.
Preliminary estimation of more than 200,000 volunteers served at Night to Shine proms around the world.
The Tim Tebow Foundation is inviting supporters to help grow this annual event. Donations can be made by clicking here.
Tim Tebow was able to surprise volunteers and guests at five different Night to Shine locations:
Unsion Foundation, Cuenca, Ecuador
Familia De Dios, Puerto Peñasco, Mexico
Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX
Compass Christian Church, Grapevine, TX
Crossroads Christian Church, Grand Prairie, TX
Legacy Church, Albuquerque, NM
ZOE Church, Los Angeles, CA
Tim was accompanied by some incredible supporters of Night to Shine. Their visits to prom locations consisted of praying with and encouraging volunteers, walking the red carpet with the honored guests, shining shoes, dancing with alot of Kings & Queens and sharing the message of God’s love with all volunteers and honored guests.
“Night to Shine is special because there are so many things in our society that tear people apart and this night is a night that brings people together. Because every single person is important…we are all loved, we are all created in God’s image and there is a reason and a purpose for each our lives,” shares Tim Tebow, Founder and Chairman of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “God gave his very best for each of us – he gave us his Son – and because he was willing do that, we are willing to do whatever it takes to make these honored guests feel special and feel loved. They are worth it,” said Tim Tebow.
Toys“R”Us store at Phoenix MarketCity Bangalore, India.
PARSIPPANY — Toys”R”Us® has officially emerged as a new company, with new leadership and a new vision to deliver the magic of its iconic brands around the world. Tru Kids, Inc., has opened their corporate headquarters at 5 Wood Hollow Road.
Tru Kids Inc. leased approximately 26,000 square feet at 5 Wood Hollow Road
Effective January 20, the new company, Tru Kids Inc. doing business as Tru Kids Brands, became the proud parent of Toys”R”Us®, Babies”R”Us®, Geoffrey® and more than 20 established consumer toy and baby brands. Toys R Us was established in 1948; Babies R Us in 1996; and Geoffrey the Giraffe, Beloved Mascot, in 1965. Richard Barry
Tru Kids Brands will be led by Richard Barry, the former global chief merchandising officer at Toys”R”Us, who will serve as President & CEO along with an experienced management team that includes Matthew Finigan as CFO, James Young as EVP of Global License Management & General Counsel, and Jean-Daniel Gatignol as SVP of Global Sourcing & Brands.
Yehuda Shmidman
The company also appointed brand management veteran Yehuda Shmidman as Vice Chairman to advise on global strategy and execution. Shmidman is the CEO of Wave Hill Partners, and the former CEO of Sequential Brands Group.
For over 70 years, Toys”R”Us has celebrated the joys of childhood with kids of all ages and Babies”R”Us has been the destination for all new and expecting parents. Geoffrey the Giraffe, the beloved mascot of Toys”R”Us for more than 50 years, is adored by kids and their families all around the world.
This brand power remains as Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us generated over $3 billion in global retail sales in 2018 through more than 900 stores and e-commerce businesses in 30+ countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In the U.S., Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us continue to have incredibly strong brand affinity and loyalty with more than 9.5 million followers across their social media channels.
“Despite unprecedented efforts to capture the U.S. market share this past holiday season, there is still a significant gap and huge consumer demand for the trusted experience that Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us delivers,” said Richard Barry, President & CEO of Tru Kids Brands. “We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write the next chapter of Toys”R”Us by launching a newly imagined omni channel retail experience for our beloved brands here in the U.S. In addition, our strong global footprint is led by experienced and passionate operating teams that are 100% focused on growth.”
Global partners include Al Futtaim Sons Co. LLC (UAE), Green Swan (Iberia), Keshet-Hypertoy Ltd (Israel), Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd (S. Korea), Marketing Services and Commercial Projects Operation Company (Saudi Arabia), Tablez & Toyz Private Ltd. (India), and Toys (Labuan) Holding Ltd. in partnership with Fung Retailing Ltd. (Asia). The Company will work closely with each to expand the Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us businesses in their respective markets as well as actively seek opportunities to bring the brands to new and emerging territories.
Tru Kids’ global partners are set to bring the joy of Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us to more customers through the opening of 70 stores this year in Asia, India and Europe and the development of new e-commerce platforms in several key markets.
Tru Kids will be headquartered in New Jersey with a skilled team of returning Toys”R”Us employees.
“We have an incredible team focused on bringing Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us back in a completely new and reimagined way, so the U.S. doesn’t have to go through another holiday without these beloved brands,” added Barry.
Further updates on the U.S. business strategy to follow.
Tru KidsTM is the parent of beloved brands, including Toys”R”Us®, Babies”R”Us®, Geoffrey the Giraffe®, Journey Girls®, Fastlane®, True Heroes®, You & Me®, Imaginarium®, and Just Like Home®. Established in January 2019, Tru Kids is focused on growing its family of brands through innovative partnerships that deliver kid-and-parent-focused experiences that expand beyond traditional retails concepts in the physical and digital spaces.
The company delivers a wealth of services to our valued license partners around the world, in addition to design and development of over 20 additional established consumer brands. The company has offices in New Jersey, USA, Hong Kong & Shenzhen, China.
Tru Kids is a new company celebrating over 70 years of heritage with an expert team focused on families, kids, and play.
The most popular item on the Chick-fil-A menu is the waffle fry. They are arguably the tastiest way to eat a tater.
PARSIPPANY — Meet Bella, a one-year-old Beagle! This beauty was unfortunately surrendered to Wise Animal Rescue because her family did not want to exercise, train, or take care of her. While her previous situation was sad, we are so happy to have her in the rescue to find her forever home!
