Dennis Just, an astronomy professor from Parsippany, took home $50,000 as winner of the latest installment of “Superhuman,” the new Fox competition series dedicated to people with extraordinary abilities. In his challenge, which aired on Monday, Just had to spot the differences between two grids containing 3,440 letters. He eyed the grids at some distance, and…
WATCH: Parsippany man with ‘Superhuman’ vision wins $50K on Fox series
Morris Plains man arrested for threatening college in Washington state
MORRIS PLAINS — A Morris Plains man was arrested Monday, July 3 on charges of calling in telephone threats to a college in Washington state.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher and Morris Plains Police Chief Jason Kohn announce the arrest Monday, July 3 of Robert W. Kerekes Jr., 53 for the Crimes of Terroristic Threats 2C:12-3a, Criminal Cohersion 2C:13-5a(1) and False Public Alarm 2C: 33-3.
Kerekes was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility per the New Jersey Bail Reform Act.
The charges stem from an investigation into telephonic threats made on June 2 against Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.
The telephonic threats caused a shutdown of the college on June 2 and June 3 of this year and resulted in the response of numerous state and local law enforcement agencies.
This is an active investigation and there is no additional information for release at this time.
Fatal car accident on Route 80
![rockawayfire1](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/rockawayfire1.jpg?resize=696%2C522&ssl=1)
ROCKAWAY — A fatal fiery two-car crash closed down Route 80 west at mile marker 33.6 in Rockaway Township early Tuesday afternoon and a former police officer and Emergency Medical Technician was credited with rescuing the driver and passenger of one of the cars before it burst into flames.
State police at the Netcong state said that both cars involved in the crash were on fire and there was one fatality. Details are very sketchy at this time, and when details become available we will update this article.
The crash happened before Exit 35 for Mount Hope Avenue, according to a state DOT alert. Eastbound rubbernecking delays were reported between Exit 34, Route 15 in Wharton and east of Exit 35, the DOT said. By 1:43 p.m., the state DOT reported that two of four westbound lanes were open and drivers should use an alternate route. As of 2:00 p.m., westbound delays snowballed to 45 to 50 minutes. .
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/rockawayfire5-720x425.jpg?resize=696%2C411&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/rockawayfire4.jpg?resize=696%2C647&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/rockawayfire3.jpg?resize=696%2C464&ssl=1)
Parsippany Police releases fireworks security safety measures
PARSIPPANY — As a reminder for tonight’s events at Parsippany Hills High School, which start at 7:00 p.m. with a concert and conclude with fireworks at dark:
In order to insure the safety and welfare of all in attendance, the following safety measures will be in effect:
* Alcoholic beverages, pets, fireworks, smoking and bicycles are strictly prohibited at the event. Those individuals found in possession of prohibited property will be ejected from the event and possibly receive a summons.
* THE USE, LAUNCHING, OR LANDING OF DRONES OR OTHER TYPES OF REMOTE AIRCRAFT IS PROHIBITED
* Intoxicated Persons will be denied entry
* Security Checkpoints will be located at all entrances to the event.
* All bags, coolers and packages brought to the event will be subject to inspection by law enforcement.
* All traffic exiting the event by way of Rita Drive will be directed to Littleton Road (Route 202) north bound.
* All traffic exiting the event from Brooklawn Drive to Littleton Road (Route 202) will be directed onto Littleton Road (Route 202) south bound.
* Fieldcrest Road is closed to all through traffic from Atlantic Drive to Littleton Road in both directions from 9:45 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
* Littleton Road (Route 202) will be closed to all through traffic from Halsey Road to Park Road in both directions from 9:45 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
* Due to the heavy volume of traffic, any vehicles found parked in a normally prohibited area or in a marked emergency prohibited parking zone will be subject to summons and possibly towed and impounded. There will be no parking permitted on Brooklawn Drive or Rita Drive
* Additional parking will be permitted at Littleton School as well as Brooklawn Middle School. Shuttle buses will NOT be provided.
* Handicapped parking will be made available on a first come/first serve basis at the Glencove Road
entrance to the school. Golf cart service will also be made available from this area for individuals with disabilities.
Class of 2017 dismissed at PHHS Graduation Ceremony
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2017 received their diplomas during a Commencement Exercise held on Thursday, June 22.
Parsippany Hills High School Principal Michael DiSanto certified the conferment of the diplomas to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education and all 259 graduates were presented with a diplomas by one of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education members and two past Board Members, James Carifi and John Montefusco.
The Parsippany Hills High School Band performed the “Pomp and Circumstance” followed by the flag salute lead by Nicolas Ho. The Parsippany Hills High School Choir and Band then performed the National Anthem.
Salutatorian Nilam Kalawadia spoke then Czar Alexei Sepe gave the history of the Class of 2017. Eileen Wang, Valedictorian then spoke to the Class of 2017. Principal Michael DeSanto presented the Graduates, followed by the acceptance of the Graduates by Dr. LeRoy Seitz, Interim Superintendent.
Mr. Timothy Berrios, Board of Education member, then gave a speech to the Class of 2017.
Then the seniors received their diplomas.
After the distribution of the diplomas, Czar Alexei Sepe dismissed the Class of 2017 for the final time.
The list of graduates include:
Mohsin Abdulla
Dylan Douglas Acree
Evelyn Aguirre
Kazi Faija Ahmed
Nicholas Allocca
Kristi Ambrosino
Alex Joseph Amelio
Arman Andican
Ayesha Ansari
Sanjana M. Anur
Exodus A Bacon
Horlalie Arna Badasu
Christopher Baldassari
Sam Banayotti
Juliana Alyce Barnhill
Alex Bednarczyk
Shawn Michael Berry
Michael R. Bettelli
Divya Bhagat
Delaney Nicole Bishof
Brittany Anne Bonin
Ashley Marie Bostek
Jillian Diane Bostek
Rachael Alicia Bozza
Cormac Bradley
Christopher Michael Brisson
Ava Assunta Bruno
Sarah McGuinness Burder
Julianne Caccavale
Justin James Carifi
Abraham Chang
Christian Tyler Chant
Evan Taylor Chao
Ariel Chen
Matthew Chen
Peter Chiu
Kayla Beth Christofferson
Hannah Rose Cocurullo
Thomas James Copeland
Andrew Jacob Corrigan
Erik Darling
Kristen Nicole Datri
Kevin James Dauber
Cara M. David
Danielle Nicole Davis
Eli Jasper Frey Davis
Kyle John Davis
Christina De La Espriella
Daniel De La Espriella
Kimberly Elizabeth DeStefano
Patrick Joseph DeBenedette
Jake A. DeChiara
Danielle D. DeChfistopher
Katherine Rose DeMottie
Kush G. Desai
Victoria Rae Di Maggio
Mariam Diabagate
Marco Paolo Diaz
Silvia Isabel Diaz
Derwin Dominguez
Miranda Lee Ehrenfeld
Marco D. Falivene
Tyler M. Fedorenko
Brandon D. Fernandes
Faith 0. Fifo
Nicole Lisa Fiorentino
Lucas Sebastian Folan
James F. Fox, Ill
Kamrin Lenuare Foxworth
Serhiy Freyak
Alexander John Frigeri
Roshni R. Gajipara
Nathalia Gallo-Lopez
Alisha Gangadharan
Margaret Garbarino
Antonio Christian Sancho Garcia
Marissa Noelle Gasbarro
Christina M. Gillespie
Joyce Gong
Vaishnavi Reddy Guddeti
Amogh Gupta
Kenneth James Hamel
Kitana Harris
Keith Joseph Hawkins, Jr.
Amanda Kathryn Hilsinger
Karen Emily Hilsinger
Nicholas Ho
Kathryn E. Homeijer
Jadon Sullivan Hoyt
Audrey Huang
Yasmine Mohamed Ibrahim
Read Forster Ingersoll
Ananya lyengar
Christopher Janania
Brooke Anne Jasiecki
Cesar A Jimenez
lmani Symone Johnson
Naur Marwan Jurri
Joshua Kafka
Mamta S. Kalavadia
Nilam Kalawadia
Alexandra Kareski
Rachel Ilyse Karger
Koushik Karuru
Daniel James Kempf
Jonathan A Kennett
Mehdi Kermalli
Katie A Kerrigan
Andrew S. Kertesz
Sabreena Khan
Faseh Khuja
Jay W. Kilpack
Margarita Kolesnikova
Kent Charles Kuduk Hitesh Kumar
Edward Lally
Marissa Sarah Lawler
Danielle Elizabeth Lee
Evan Y. Lee
Andriana Marie Levytsky
Sonali B. Limbachia
Christopher James Lipuma
Victoria Ashley Lombardi
Alexa Rose Lynch
Aryna Lysak
Eric J. Maglio
Ross Santos Magparangalan
Arzeen Malek
Mathew Ryan Marino
Joseph Vincent Marotta
Estefany A Marroquin-Juarroz
Diana Aleksandra Mazur
Dylan Joseph McDonald
Raymond Matthew Meigs
Akhil Meka
Gianna Marie Michael
Victoria Isabella Michael
Breanna Rose Migala
Grace C. Miller
Amilcar Anibal Miranda-Rivera
Saajan B. Modi
Ayten Mohammed
Sidonia Mohan
Robert Royan Monroe
Alexander Francis Montefusco
John Julius Montefusco Ill
Shreya Moola
Alexandria Paige Moore-Kiwior
Jacob R. Muller
Robert M. Murphy
Lilian K. Musbeh
Dominick Musto
Samira Naematulla
Shreya R. Nair
Marina Noelle Nazziola
Patricia Hong Nguyen
Tristan A. Nichols
Zoe Amber Nolz
Aimee B. Osterman
lshita Viral Padhiar
Christian Padilla
Matteen Paniahie
Nicky Parekh
Dhruv S. Parikh
Saurabh J. Parikh
Brianne Veronica Partington
Anjali A. Pasawala
Abhay Patel
Abhishek Kumar Patel
Amisha H. Patel
Asha Kamal Patel
Ateet P. Patel
Dhruvisha Patel
Disha S. Patel
Janki R. Patel
Megha Patel
Nami Patel
Nikita R. Patel
Nishil H. Patel
Prisha S. Patel
Richa Patel
Riya Patel
Shivam S. Patel
Shrey Vipulbhai Patel
Suhani Shailesh Patel
Swetal S. Patel
Teerath P. Patel
Urja Bipinchandra Patel
Vraj J. Patel
Yash B. Patel
Yash J. Patel
Yash R. Patel
Aryan Path
Helen Pei
Cristina Maria Pereira
Nicole Lucia Pereira
Nathaniel P. Petricca
Bryan Keith Phelps
Emily Grace Pica
Joseph M. Pierro
Jessica Rae Pinto
Katherine Emily Pinto
Dean Evan Porco
Joseph A. Primamore
Maria Kathrina Yago Ramirez
Nirav U. Rana
Kevin Reci
Valeria Rendon Canaveral
Paige Restaino
Sriya Shirish Revankar
Sydney Rice
Xavier Rivera
Kaila Rosamilia
Arielle A. Rosenberg
Julianne Elizabeth Ruane
Matthew Gomez Rulloda
Harsh Hasmukh Samani
Jackson M. Sanchez
Jose S. Sanchez
Nicole Saric
Rahman Sayed
Megan Elizabeth Scala
Sara Scopellito
Czar Alexei Sepe
Dhruvil Shah
Rahul Shah
Shailee Shah
Kailey Marie Shanahan
Thomas Shweh
Angelica Jules Sniadach
Nayantara Srinivasan
John J. Stampone
Brooke Jean Stone
Sarah Ann Sturges
Danielle C. Sukharenko
Tanvi Tandan
William Joseph Taylor
Jobu Thomas
Vanessa Hwa Ting
Frank Christopher Torres
Michael C. Tran
Mia Megan Tremaroli
Luke Michael Turner
Sabrina Ann Ullman
Meghna Upadhyay
Neil Crinigan Uricoli
Olivia Marie Valatkavage
Maya B. Vardi
Laura J. Vargas
Cortney Lynn Vasilik
Tristan Velicky
Urja K. Vyas
Meghan Wald
Eric Tomas Waligora
Christy Nok Yee Wan
Eileen Summer Wang
Kimberli R. Wink
Shaemus Michael Wittig
Julia Marie Worthington
Richard Xu
Kevin J. Yang
Joseph Yao
Jessica Alison Zinckgraf
Andrew Thomas Zitelli
Kimberly Begley named to Dean’s List at University of Delaware
PARSIPPANY — Kimberly Begley has been named to the University of Delaware’s Dean’s List for the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 semesters.
To meet eligibility requirements for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a GPA of 3.33 or above (on a 4.0 scale) for the semester.
Kim is a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2016.
Currently she is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. She is part of the Class of 2020. She is also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.
University of Delaware is one of the oldest universities in the U.S., the University of Delaware traces its roots to 1743 when a petition by the Presbytery of Lewes expressing the need for an educated clergy led the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison to open a school in New London, Pennsylvania.
Alison’s first class was “possibly the most distinguished in terms of the later achievements of its members, taken as a whole, of any class in any school in America,” wrote historian John Munroe.
Those first students would go on to become statesmen, doctors, merchants and scholars. Thomas McKean, George Read and James Smith signed the Declaration of Independence, and Read also signed the U.S. Constitution.
By 1765, Alison’s school relocated to Newark. NewArk College opened as a degree-granting institution in 1834 and was renamed Delaware College in 1843. In 1867, the college was designated one of the nation’s historic Land Grant colleges.
A women’s college opened in 1914 with 58 students, and in 1921, the two colleges joined to become the University of Delaware.
Since 1950, UD has quadrupled its enrollment and greatly expanded its faculty and academics and its influence in the world.
In 2009, the University purchased a 272-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Newark campus that previously had been a Chrysler Plant. That site, now the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, is home to the University’s Health Sciences Complex and is being developed as a space combining business, research, education and more.
The University of Delaware exists to cultivate learning, develop knowledge and foster the free exchange of ideas.
State-assisted yet privately governed, the University has a strong tradition of distinguished scholarship, research, teaching and service that is grounded in a commitment to increasing and disseminating scientific, humanistic and social knowledge for the benefit of the larger society.
For more information click here.
Public’s help needed related to jewelry store robbery in Harding
HARDING — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Harding Township Police Chief Mark Giansanti are seeking public assistance to help solve a robbery that occurred June 22 at a jewelry store in Harding Township.
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/hardimg-3-720x329.jpg?resize=696%2C318&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/harding-1-720x463.jpg?resize=696%2C448&ssl=1)
On the afternoon of that day, law enforcement received a report of a robbery at Acquisitions, Fine Jewelry and Antique Store at 1290 Mt. Kemble Avenue (Route 202).
The subsequent investigation revealed that three individuals – two males and one female – entered the jewelry store and a robbery ensued. The suspects were able to take possession of multiple items of jewelry during the robbery. The three actors spoke in Spanish at times during this incident.
Upon exiting the jewelry store, the suspect fled the scene. Upon review of relevant surveillance footage, it is believed that the suspects utilized a newer model Honda Accord Hybrid, 4 door with sunroof, powder blue (blue-sky metallic) in color.
Still images of the suspected vehicle accompany this release, as well as a generic photograph of a vehicle with the similar make, model and color.
Numerous law enforcement agencies responded and are currently assisting in this investigation, including the Harding Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200, the Harding Township Police Department at (973) 455-0500, or Crimestoppers at (973) 267-2255.
Wifflemania XXXIII raises over $2,000 to donate to non-profits
PARSIPPANY — Wifflemania XXXIII returned to Parsippany, but this year the tournament was held at Smith Field. The families, players and friends arrived with their tents, plenty of food and plenty of energy to participate in this all day tournament.
This year’s Wifflemania XXXIII tournament had a total of 29 teams and 100 fans that participated. They had another strong turnout. The competition was great during bracket play and they finally crowned a new champion.
Congratulations to New Era’s Jeremy DeCotiis, Austin DeCotiis, Matt Ajay and Brandon Magnotta from Jefferson on capturing their first Wifflemania Title in their sixth season. They smashed a team high 25 HR’s with decisive wins in their final four and final game (11-1) over Big Kahunas.
New Era pitcher Jeremy DeCotiis was named the tournament’s MVP for the first time.
Wiffle Splash Brothers Kevin Friedhoff won the HR Title win 11.
New Era defeated Ballbusters 6-0 while Big Kahunas defeated Wise Guys 5-3 in the final four.
Thanks to all of our reliable friends and family who helped put this event together.
he teams raised approximately $2,000 dollars which we be donated to The Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Valerie Fund and The Parsippany Food Pantry.
Wifflemania XXXIII Official Records:
New Era 5-0
Big Kahunas 4-1
Wise Guys 3-1
ballbusters 5-2
Wiffle Splash Brothers 4-2
Batnotta’s 4-2
Intervale Bulldogs 4-2
Tamist, Inc. 3-2
Harry Ballers 3-2
Bangers 2-2
Mudhens 2-2
Blasted Plastic 2-2
Glass Haus Gang 2-2
Backyard Boolies 2-2
SU Slammers 2-2
Wotown Wilmans 1-2
Magilla’s Gorilla’s 1-2
Bad News Beers 1-2
Gardenhosers 1-2
Kyle^2 + Dousin 1-2
Teabaggers 1-2
Beer Nuts 1-2
Barnyard Bombers 0-2
Boobie’s Bombers 0-2
Hillsborough Hammers 0-2
All Day 0-2
Billy Batts 0-2
Manno’s Outlaws 0-2
All Rise 0-2
ICMC holds annual community picnic
PARSIPPANY — The Islamic Center Of Morris County (ICMC) held their Annual Community Picnic on Sunday, July 2 at Veterans Memorial Park. The picnic was open to all community members and the admission was free for everyone.
They served BBQ, with hamburgers and hotdogs and assorted salads. The day continued with Dhuhr prayer, girls soccer, tug of war (men), water balloon toss, Men’s soccer, Tug of war (women), prizes and much more.
The Islamic Center of Morris County is registered with the State of New Jersey as a 501(c)(3), Non-Profit Religious & Educational organization for Muslims.
The mission of the Islamic Center is promoting goodwill, understanding, fellowship and tolerance among Muslims; To strengthen the fraternal bonds among Muslims in the Morris County and the surrounding areas; To promote friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in the community; To provide Muslims with religious guidance based on the teachings of Islam; To serve as a cultural institution for dissemination of information on Islam; its teachings, history, and culture among Muslims as well as non-Muslims; To organize courses of study in Quran, Sunnah and the Islamic history, designed to meet the needs of Muslims and non-Muslims, both adults and children; To establish and maintain an Islamic Center in this community to serve as a place for Islamic prayers and cultural and religious activities.
Their ongoing activities are Live Daily Prayers, Jummah Prayer at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., Friday Night Family Night, Lecture after Isha prayer, Lecture after Fajr prayer, Hajj and Ummrah program every Saturday after Fajr prayer, Sisters’ Halaqa every Thursday, Youth programs, Hifdh program, Pre-School, Sunday School, Youth Camp, Interfaith events, Da’awa, Training courses, Community betterment projects such as Habitat for Humanity, Walk for Water, Breast Cancer Walk, Back to School Programs Charity, Refugee assistance, Blood drives, and Health clinics.
For more information on Islamic Center Of Morris County click here.
Annual Blood Drive Hosted by BAPS Charities
PARSIPPANY — Dozens of members of the local community committed its focus to the annual BAPS Charities Blood Drive in Parsippany. With a continuous need for blood donors from a diversity of backgrounds, the blood drive, held on Sunday, June 25, gave community members an opportunity to save lives and close the gap on supply shortages faced by blood banks.
A total of 26 pints of blood were collected, which has the potential to save up to 78 lives in the community. Through a local partnership with Red cross, all of the collections were donated to local blood banks to serve nearby communities.
The Blood Drive organized by BAPS Charities is a crucial part of national efforts to address shortages. Statistics suggest that every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. According to the American Red Cross, the majority of blood donations come from local, community-based drives such as this.
“We are happy for the opportunity to do this service on a regular basis and assist area agencies through our community’s contribution,” said Shailesh Patel referring to the event.
BAPS Charities also used the event as a platform to raise awareness around the need for regular blood donations and the significant impact they have, especially during demanding periods. Punit patel from Parsippany, a blood drive participant, remarked, “I am glad to have come out today and participated in the blood drive. It is empowering to know that my donation could potentially save someone’s life and I look forward to sharing what I have learned with my friends and colleagues at work, so they will hopefully do the same.”
The Blood Drive event is one of several service events held by BAPS Charities each year. Health fairs, walkathons, children’s health and safety events, and bone marrow drives are also held annually and in multiple locations across the country. Through these activities, BAPS Charities aims to develop a broader spirit of volunteerism to enable individuals of all ages to make meaningful contributions to society.
About BAPS Charities
BAPS Charities is a global charity active in nine countries across five continents. Volunteers drive its efforts, dedicating a portion of their lives in selfless service of others, both in their local neighborhoods as well as globally. Working in five key areas, BAPS Charities aims to express a spirit of selfless service through Health Awareness, Educational Services, Humanitarian Relief, Environmental Protection & Preservation and Community Empowerment. From organizing Walkathons that raise funds for local and global needs, to supporting humanitarian relief in times of urgent need; from hosting community health fairs to sustaining hospitals and schools in developing countries, BAPS Charities provides an opportunity for individuals wishing to serve locally and globally.
Buddies pitch in to help at Parsippany’s Little League Challenger Games
![IMG_2703](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/IMG_2703.jpg?resize=696%2C464&ssl=1)
PARSIPPANY —Par-Troy Little League Challenger Games, which give kids with special challenges a chance to play baseball were played at the Par-Troy East Little League complex on Eileen Court, on Sunday, June 23.
Providing special-needs children with the opportunity to play baseball, the Challenger League has been holding this event since 1999. More than 100 volunteers, called “buddies,” assisted the children in playing before taking to the fields against each other.
The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. Today, more than 30,000 children participate in more than 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide.
Teams are set up according to abilities, rather than age, and can include as many as 15-20 players. Challenger games can be played as tee ball games, coach pitch, player pitch, or a combination of the three.
In a Challenger game, each player gets a chance to bat. The side is retired when the offense has batted through the roster, or when a pre-determined number of runs have been scored, or when three outs are recorded. Little League recommends that no score be kept during Challenger games. The Challenger players wear the same uniforms, shoulder patches and safety equipment as other Little League players.
Letter to the editor: Union Employees Oppose Horizon Restructuring Legislation
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the 1,000 OPEIU Local 32-represented employees at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, OPEIU strongly opposes S-4 that seeks to impose restructuring requirements forcing the company to become an “insurer of last resort,” a move that would have devastating financial repercussions for the company and translate to exploding premiums and fewer services for its 3.8 million subscribers.
This onerous and politically motivated move by Gov. Chris Christie and the state senate will also hurt the innocent employees of Horizon who will as a result face certain layoffs and deep cuts at the bargaining table. Forcing Horizon into a quasi-charitable role that only it has to bear would put it at a serious disadvantage to other insurers in the state. More importantly, its employees and premium holders would be the ones absorbing the cost of caring for non-policy holders.
Our hardworking members shouldn’t have to serve as unfortunate pawns in Christie’s political game of financial chess. Creating unfair competition is not the way around the state’s fiscal crisis or the path to funding state programs that work for everyone in the state of New Jersey.
Gov. Christie’s legacy in New Jersey is set. No amount of financial trickery is going to change that.
The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, represents more than 103,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. OPEIU represents employees and independent contractors in credit unions, hospitals and medical clinics, insurance, higher education, transportation, shipping, utilities, hotels, administrative offices and more.
Professional organizations and guilds affiliated with OPEIU are a diverse group that includes registered nurses, podiatrists, clinical social workers, teachers, Minor League Baseball umpires, and helicopter pilots.
Nicole Korkolis
Director of Communication
Letter to the editor: Parsippany open to more development and lawsuits
Dear Editor:
Parsippany under the Barberio/Inglesino Administrations is leaving Parsippany open to more development and lawsuits. Citizens of Parsippany are being purposely denied the right to know, or discover the benefits available under “regional conformance consistency”, under NJ Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.
It is this writer’s grounded opinion that this is being done with purposeful disregard. Why would any community be openly against water protection and best practices in land use law? Open Space possibilities; and lower numbers of affordable housing proposals?
Water Protection: its quality and quantity cannot be separated from good land use. The truth is under Highlands Conformance your local master plan becomes stronger and you maintain home-rule, contrary to what we are being told.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Attorney John Inglesino has spoken openly as an enemy of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, siting inaccurate and disinformation based on his values as a real estate developer lawyer, and his personal established political views. These views and opinions are not based in facts. He has at Council Meetings accused Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act as being responsible for what he calls, Parsippany’s unfair burden/share of the coming affordable housing obligations. As a matter of policy he and elements of this administration have used the affordable housing issue as a fear tactic, rather than an obligation. This tactic involving the waterview landscape, lead to another lawsuit in 2016 concerning illegal tactics. These closed session deals with developers, are kept secret, the Council members being threatened with prosecution, if any transparency to these deals are revealed. (Including denying OPRA requests to this individual).
Remarks were also made concerning the possible unconstitutionality of the NJ Highlands Act, and the name Jon Corzine is used as a knock. The Highlands Act has withstood numerous attempts at challenging it and upheld as sound based on, wholesome discretion and science involving its application, methods and benefits for all.
Inglesino attempts to use the affordable housing issue to knock the Act further. Affordable Housing is a separate entity. However NJ Highlands communities, if they chose to be are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Highlands and Affordable Housing, which actually can bring lower housing numbers using regional build out numbers.
Inglesino has stated falsely that this MOU is longer in existence. Not true! Conforming communities do have this agreement. The proof is called the Skillman Decision, upholding the Fair Share Housing challenge to its validity to obtain higher housing numbers. Inglesino has provided no proof his allegation is so, to the contrary Skillman disproves his allegation. *(August 15, 2011 Argued April 12, 2011 – Decided Before Judges Yannotti, Skillman and Roe. On appeal from the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, Council on Affordable Housing and the Governor).
In the past certain communities abused the Highlands growth share methodology to purposely avoid their fair share obligation. This perfectly good method was abused not by the Highlands as Inglesino insinuated, but by the local municipal authorities. This is the same sort of abuse Inglesino used to rezone Waterview, as this landscape because of it’s steep slopes alone would not be considered by Fair Share Housing; it would of also been spared if the Mayor kept his promise of the 26 Acre Open Space.
It was the rezone that caused another lawsuit; described in a news article in Daily Record by William Westhoven in February 2016; entitled: Lawsuit: Parsippany zoning tactics illegal. This lawsuit has been hidden from the public. The citizens and the council voted No to the rezone, only to have the grassroots outcome trashed in favor of a rude corporate developer.
The point is this present administration is preventing the people of Parsippany from being something greater than it can be. Ask why did Parsippany is July 2010 agree to begin regional conformance; was it the lower housing numbers? Why did Parsippany spend from 7/2010-6-2014 in a state of conformance and do nothing to strengthen its master plan? Why is 2014 before the housing fiasco caused by the Governor was about to resurface through court action, did Parsippany abandon conformance, when they needed it most?
If a real estate developer attorney is administering us and a mayor who’s’ ambition is to make historical; what he calls “economic improvements” by inviting more new land development, which does this favor? Not the people of Parsippany.
The one obvious truth about the benefits of regional planning is that your master plan gets stronger, while you maintain home rule. The courts, with 36 points of exemptions that secure home rule, have worked this out. (Skillman Decision). However conforming communities receive the benefits of legal shields from corporate developers lawsuits. What is home rule when a corporation has unlimited resources to force their way on a town, through developers rights lawsuits?
Parsippany is entirely in the planning zone, so what is the fear? The truth is developers can cut corners, and destroy sensitive landscapes while other developed properties lay idle wastelands. We are not in good hands, and our citizens committees of open space, environment, and transparency are mute. To keep the opportunity of regional conformance from the people of Parsippany and slander its importance is in practice arbitrary, capricious, absence of a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made, a clear error of judgment, that serves not the people of Parsippany nor the environmental crisis of long term water protections, and land use both inseparable. Regional Planning can also bring less or reduced taxes and a higher quality of life. It’s already happened in Pinelands NJ.
Professor Inglesino in his affordable housing presentation started with the Newark so-called riots of 1967; however the Mount Laurel decision began with gentrification zoning tactics 1970, used against a poor African American Neighborhood in Mount Holly NJ established as free blacks since the revolutionary war. Although free they were not entitled to full rights of citizens; voting was one example. It also reminds local municipal governments that the State is ultimately responsible for zoning. Wake up people Home rule is an illusion. Developers’ rule and you pay the higher taxes. Finally should not all housing be affordable; pretty ridiculous right?
Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034
Lottery Remains Operational During State Closure
TRENTON — The New Jersey State Lottery will remain fully operational during the closure of New Jersey State government.
The sale of all games offered by the New Jersey Lottery will remain available for purchase.
The game drawings for all online games offered through the Lottery, including: Pick-3, Pick-4, Jersey Cash 5, Pick-6, 5 Card Cash, and CASH4LIFE, will be conducted, posted on Livestream and aired on television, PHL17 and PIX11, as per standard operating procedure.
Player claims will proceed as per standard operating procedure. Players may continue to cash all prizes under $600 at retail locations. Following standard operating procedure, claims above that amount require submission to the Lottery for processing. Players’ claims will continue to be processed and payments will be issued although the function will be handled by a reduced staff so brief delays may occur.
David Samuel made Dean’s List at Monmouth University
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/01/DAVID-SAMUEL.jpeg?resize=163%2C251&ssl=1)
PARSIPPANY — David M. Samuel III, a junior at Monmouth University, made the Dean’s List for the Spring Semester with a 3.83 GPA.
David is a 2014 graduate from Parsippany High School. He is a Criminal Justice major planning to attend law school. He is the son of Dr. Cynthia the late Dr. David Samuel.
David celebrated his 21st birthday December 21. David plans to attend Law School after graduation next year.
Located along New Jersey’s northern coastline, Monmouth University offers a welcoming and dynamic setting for student development. Innovative academic programs, individual faculty attention and nationally ranked Division One athletics make our private university a great place to find your future.
Monmouth’s beautiful coastal campus sits at the heart of a vibrant culture rich in history, the arts, technology and entrepreneurship. Just one hour from New York and Philadelphia, we take pride in preparing students to succeed in life after Monmouth. Our renowned faculty are actively involved in advancing academic research nationwide while encouraging meaningful community involvement and critical thinking for self-fulfillment.
BCB Bancorp to acquire IA Bancorp and Indus American Bank
PARSIPPANY — Thomas Coughlin, President and Chief Executive officer of BCB Bancorp, Inc. the holding company of BCB Community Bank, is pleased to announce that BCB Bancorp has entered into a merger agreement with IA Bancorp, Inc.,parent company of Indus American Bank.
Indus American Bank is located at 1452 Route 46, and is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
The merger, expected to be completed by the end of the year, will strengthen the ties both banks have to the South Asian Business Community. In recognition of this relationship, all Indus-American Bank branches will operate as BCB – Indus American Bank.
Coughlin stated, “BCB is excited to be partnering with IAB and Indus-American Bank. Indus-American Bank’s branch locations complement BCB’s current locations. BCB will continue Indus-American Bank’s commitment of service to its customers and its communities.”
BCB Community Bank and Indus American Bank share similar service areas in New Jersey and New York and have a like approach to highly personalized customer service and community involvement, according to Coughlin.
Mark D. Hogan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BCB Bancorp, commented, “We are extremely excited and pleased to welcome Indus-American customers and employees to BCB. Our partnership with Indus-American is consistent with BCB’s strategic plan of executing smart growth via expansions and organic branching. This transaction will allow the combined entities to further develop our existing markets in Jersey City and Edison, and will provide further opportunities in Parsippany, Plainsboro and Hicksville, New York, three new attractive markets for BCB.”
BCB Community Bank operates 22 full-service branches in Bayonne, Carteret, Colonia, Edison, Hoboken, Fairfield, Holmdel, Jersey City, Lodi, Lyndhurst, Monroe Township, Rutherford, South Orange, Union and Woodbridge, New Jersey, and two branches in Staten Island, New York.
Indus-American Bank operates five full-service branches in Edison, Jersey City, Parsippany and Plainsboro, New Jersey, and Hicksville, New York.
Cameron Andrew Boone named to Dean’s List at Virginia Military Institute
![cameronwithmayor](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/cameronwithmayor-e1498957437724.jpg?resize=630%2C420&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2017/07/Cameron-Boone-1-360x480.jpg?resize=360%2C480&ssl=1)
PARSIPPANY — Virginia Military Institute Cadet Cameron Andrew Boone has been recognized by the college for meeting the standards for Distinguished in Academic Merit — Dean’s List for Spring 2017.
Cameron just finished his third year at the Institute and is looking forward to graduating in 2018. He is a 2014 graduate of Parsippany High School and he also an Eagle Scout from Parsippany Troop 173.
Virginia Military Institute, located in Lexington, Virginia, is a four-year undergraduate college founded in 1839. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s system of higher education.
It is the mission of those at Virginia Military Institute to develop educated, honorable men and women, prepared for the varied work of civil life, imbued with love of learning, confident in the functions and attitudes of leadership, possessing a high sense of public service, advocates of the American democracy and free enterprise system, and ready as citizen-soldiers to defend their country in time of national peril.
Mount St. Dominic Academy Graduates Parsippany Residents
PARSIPPANY — Mount St. Dominic Academy held its 122nd annual commencement on Sunday, June 4 and among the graduates were Parsippany residents. Marchella Bevacqua will be attending Bucknell University, Ina Gonzales will be attending Fordham University, Arianna Piscitelli will be attending Fordham University, Emma Przyhocki will be attending Misericordia University, Jacqueline Smith will be attending University of Mary Washington, and Nicole Wilson will be attending Sacred Heart University.
The graduating class of 87 students has been accepted at 167 schools and was awarded over $14.5 million in scholarships and grants.
Mount St. Dominic Academy, established by the Sisters of St. Dominic in Caldwell is a Catholic college preparatory school, dedicated to the education of young women from a variety of ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. Since 1892, The Mount has been empowering young women in the Dominican tradition.
For more information about Mount St. Dominic Academy click here.
Photo by Pushparaj Aitwal
Morris County School of Technology’s Visual & Performing Arts Students Win Awards
DENVILLE — Morris County School of Technology’s Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) students win awards at various competitions in dance, theater and multimedia.
Serena Brown, a student in the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts Dance received the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance. This award is given to a high school dance student who expressed superlative academic excellence and creativity in essay, skill in performance and originality in choreography. This is the eighth consecutive year in a row that a student from this Academy has won.
Students in MCST’s Thespian Troupe were recognized as top finishers in their categories at the NJ Thespian Festival, which had over 700 students from New Jersey presenting work in performance and technical events. The following students were awarded: Brianna Vigorito, Contrasting Monologues; Teax Armijo and Julia Majerscak, Duet Acting; Courtney Bulger and Brianna Vigorito, Duet Acting; Andrew Nussbaum, Musical Theatre Solo; Serena Brown and Julia Majerscak, Duet Musical Theatre; Teax Armijo and Courtney Bulger, Duet Musical Theatre; Emma Nafz, Stage Management; Ethan Hoffman, Helena Pallay, Anna Taggart, and John Valle, Short Film; and Serena Brown, Courtney Bulger, and Julia Majerscak, Group Musical Theatre.
The 2017 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards were awarded to Jordan Bernstein and Isabella Machuca, Sound Design/Q-Lab Operator; and Dana DeVries, Andy Jones, Emma Nafz, Ananya Singh, and Phoebe Yung, Stage Management Team.
The VPA Theater Production Department won Montclair State Theater Night 2017 Foxy Awards for Outstanding Costume Design.
Additionally, the following awards were won at the New Jersey Teen Arts Festival. Kaitlyn Gilchrist was a Gold Medal winner for Portrait Photography; Brooke Shanley, Outstanding Solo Performance Gravity” and the Morris County School of Technology won Outstanding Ensemble Performance “Something About Us”.
The Student Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance is one of the annual Governor’s Awards in Arts Education, and is sponsored by Dance New Jersey, the official state affiliate of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).
The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards were created in 1996 to encourage and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production of high school musical theatre. The Rising Star Awards- presented by the Investors Foundation is a statewide competition of New Jersey high school musicals modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards.
Theatre Night Awards recognizes excellence in the production of high school and middle school straight plays throughout New Jersey
The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival is the statewide culminating celebration of the arts dedicated to inspiring New Jersey teen artists, educators, professional artists, and arts advocates from all across the state to unite as one grand and all-inclusive community.
The Morris County Vocational School District provides vocational and enrichment programs that inspire and prepare students to succeed in today’s world and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities. The Academy for Visual & Performing Arts is a four-year full-time public arts high school program offering career preparation in dance and multimedia. Students also receive extensive career training in acting and technical theatre and participate in all the publicity and management roles involved in operating an arts production company. Find out more by clicking here and learn about programs, including high school Career Academies, Share Time Programs, and Adult Education programs.
Interfaith Food Pantry Gets Major Donation From Wegman’
PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry was the recent recipient of a major food donation made by Wegmans Food Markets which delivered more than 8,700 pounds of food — about half of a trailer-load — to the Pantry’s headquarters in Parsippany, adjacent to Central Park of Morris County.
The donated food is the first of two shipments pledged by Wegmans. A second donation of a similar size is scheduled for delivery to the Pantry in September, which would bring the total donation to the equivalent of a full tractor-trailer load of food.
The donation will supplement the food the Pantry currently distributes to nearly 10,000 Morris County residents. Pantry clients include low-income working families, seniors and those with disabilities living on fixed incomes and many others in need or crisis.
“This is just another example of the great corporate neighbors we have in Morris County, who make themselves integral partners in our community and help those in need while improving our quality of life,” said Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, who is the county governing board’s liaison on human services matters.
The timing of the first donation coincides with the IFP’s need for supplies during the summer when food donations run low, and at the same time, many families request additional items because their children who receive meals at school are now being fed at home.
The fall donation would coincide with the IFP’s need to replenish supplies from the high demand seen throughout the summer months.
The donation coincides with the scheduled opening of a new Wegmans store at 34 Sylvan Way, with an expected July 23 opening date.
Since announcing plans to move to Morris County more than two years ago, Wegmans has partnered with the Interfaith Food Pantry, sponsoring several events, such as the IFP’s “Kitchen to Table” program. That program is aimed at providing nutritious and easy-to-prepare meals to elderly and disabled clients served by the Pantry’s home delivery program.
The Interfaith Food Pantry is a non-profit, community-based organization that serves Morris County residents by providing food, education and related resources to Morris County residents during their time of need. The organization distributed over one million pounds of food in 2016. For more information click here.