CEDAR KNOLLS — CARF International announced that Employment Horizons has received a three-year agency-wide accreditation for its programs. The latest accreditation is the eighth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body, CARF, has given to Employment Horizons.
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.
The CARF surveyors found employers are “extremely happy and satisfied with the services offered” by Employment Horizons, as well as with the training and communication provided by staff. Program participants are “very pleased with the support that is offered and appreciate the information that is provided to help them to create self-sufficiency in the community.”
Employment Horizons is the premier not-for-profit agency providing comprehensive employment, training and job placement services to persons with disabilities and other disadvantages in the greater Morris County, NJ area. To obtain more information about Employment Horizons, click here or contact Maria Verducci-Florio at (973) 538-8822 ext. 240 or mariaflorio@ehorizons.org.
CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website by clicking here.
NEW JERSEY — The grassroots group of 18,000 members across the state offers our congratulations to Phil Murphy, who bested all other candidates in the Democratic primaries to become our nominee for Governor of New Jersey. They are united in solidarity as Democrats to work to get Phil elected in November to become New Jersey’s next governor. We need a Democrat to undo all the damage done by Governor Chris Christie. We expect Phil to fulfill – or, fulPHIL – his campaign promises in order to make gains in the years ahead for New Jerseyans, including:
PHIL up our pension system – that Chris Christie and his administration underfunded and mismanaged.
PHIL up the pay stubs of our working families – with tax fairness ensuring the wealthiest 1% will pay a fair share of their income.
PHIL up the minimum wage to $15 – so that if someone is working full time, they should not be in poverty.
PHIL up the paychecks of women – who have long been underpaid, hurting them and their families – by signing the Equal Pay legislation into law that passed both houses but yet was vetoed by Chris Christie.
FulPHIL our rights as citizens to live in a safe and just world – protecting Women’s Rights to earn the same wage for the same work; restoring funding for women’s health that Chris Christie denied for 7+ years; fixing the racist criminal justice system that targets People of Color; ensuring safety and equality for LGBTQ community; protecting our immigrants in New Jersey from the Trump and GOP administration’s harmful policies; and speaking out against Islamaphobia fueled by the GOP administration.
FulPHIL our promise to our veterans – by developing jobs and skills training, supporting Veteran-owned businesses, providing mental health services for those coming home from serving, and supporting our military families.
These are just some of the progressive policies that Phil Murphy has promised in his campaign. For those of us who did not vote for Phil, they are nonetheless united in supporting Phil as our Democratic gubernatorial candidate in the general election. For those of us who voted for Phil, he earned the votes based on these promises. And they will ALL hold him to it.
The 2016 election inspired millions of Americans to fight for the progressive values that they believe in. Action Together New Jersey, part of the grassroots national network, Action Together Network (ATN), was formed as thousands of New Jersey residents banded together to help secure a more inclusive and progressive future for our state and our country.
Action Together Network is a growing grassroots group from all over the Garden State, and we share a passion for equal rights, for progressive ideals, and for building a brighter future for all Americans. We are your neighbors, your friends, and your coworkers. And while we don’t always see eye to eye on every issue (just look at the pork roll/Taylor ham divide), we combine our talents, our smarts, and our scrappy, underdog mentality to make Jersey Strong—and our nation stronger.
A few of the causes they value and fight for include:
Racial Justice, Reproductive Rights, Environmental Concerns, Women’s Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, Common Sense Gun Laws, Immigration, Education, Healthcare, Social Services, Criminal Justice Reform, Electoral Reform, Finance and Economic Reform, smart Foreign Policy, Workers’ Rights, Civil Rights Protection and Expansion, and Military and Veterans Issues.
Male entered the Chase Bank and demanded money while in possession of a handgun
HANOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Hanover Township Police Chief Mark Roddy announce an active investigation into a bank robbery that occurred on Tuesday, June 6 in Hanover Township.
At approximately 3:32 p.m., law enforcement received a report of a bank robbery that occurred at the Chase Bank, located at 480 State Route 10.
Bank robbery that occurred at the Chase Bank
The subsequent investigation has revealed that a male entered the bank branch and demanded money while in possession of a handgun. Various surveillance photographs from the interior of the bank have been obtained. The suspect can be further described as a white/light-skinned male, who was wearing a dark colored jacket, pants, and shoes, light colored gloves, dark sunglasses, and a dark hat. The suspect was carrying a handgun and a bag.
Upon exiting the bank, the male fled from the scene.
Numerous law enforcement agencies have responded and are currently investigating this incident, including the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hanover Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident, including the identity of this male, is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200, the Township of Hanover Police Department at (973) 428-2512, or Crimestoppers at (973) 267-2255.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has received a new Summons filed against Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 in Parsippany Municipal Court. The charges filed by William Brennan against James Barberio state “Within the Jurisdiction of this Court, commits an act related to his office, but constituting an unauthorized exercise of his official function, knowing that such act is unauthorized, with purpose to obtain a benefit for another, did unlawfully hire Ramona J. Ortiz, to the title Keyboarding Clerk I above the salary range provided within Ordinance 2016:22. The value of the benefit obtained by defendant on behalf of Ramona Ortiz exceeds $200.00, contrary to an in violation of 2C:30-2A.
2C:30-2 states. Official misconduct: A public servant is guilty of official misconduct when, with purpose to obtain a benefit for himself or another or to injure or to deprive another of a benefit: a. He commits an act relating to his office but constituting an unauthorized exercise of his official functions, knowing that such act is unauthorized or he is committing such act in an unauthorized manner; or b. He knowingly refrains from performing a duty which is imposed upon him by law or is clearly inherent in the nature of his office.
Official misconduct is a crime of the second degree. Under New Jersey’s Official Misconduct law, N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2, a public servant can be prosecuted for acts committed in their official capacity and, if convicted, imprisoned for up to ten years.
On May 25, Pequannock Township Municipal Judge John A. Paparazzo failed to find probable cause on the criminal charges filed against Mayor James Barberio and Business Administrator Ellen Sandman, stating that Mr. Brennan should have filed a hearing with the Civil Service Commission. The original charges were filed under a different statue.
At the time, Mr. Brennan stated “The judge didn’t do any favors for the defendants because he created a new paradigm in which fourth-degree crimes have to be processed by an administrative agency.”
“But if he wants to do that, then all the elements of official misconduct are met by their charges, and I’m just going to go back and charge him with official misconduct for violating the municipal ordinance. I was trying to be decent to them. I didn’t want to put them in jail for five years. But if the judge doesn’t want this big fourth-degree crime, then he’s related them to a five-year mandatory minimum.”
At this time it is unclear if the same charges were filed against Business Administrator Ellen Sandman, or if an additional charge was filed for the hiring of Eugene Natoli, in December 2016.
Parsippany Focus will update this story as developing details are released.
Read previous stories: Judge denies probable cause in criminal charges against Barberio:click here. Criminal Complaints filed against Barberio:click here.
RANDOLPH — This is Corey! Corey is about 13-14 weeks, weighs about 15 pounds and so very sweet!
Corey and his brothers were rescued from St Maarten. St Maarten is beautiful, but life can be difficult for dogs. Fresh water is hard to find as well as food. FHDR heard about Corey and brothers and we were able to transport them to the US to live in foster homes.
Corey’s mom says…..’Corey is friendly, sweet and playful!! He loves everyone and he is a very happy puppy! Corey enjoys playing with all toys, especially tennis balls and he loves belly rubs.. Corey is so funny when he sleeps…he loves sleeping on his back and spreading out! haha! Corey likes going for car rides and he walks nicely on the leash. He spends his days playing with our dogs and he is very well behaved. Corey is a smart puppy who loves to please. He barks to go out, he already knows the command “no”, “sit”, “drop it” and “leave it” Corey is such a good boy! And he has such a cute personality!”
If you are interested in adopting Corey, please email FHDR@att.net for an adoption application. You can see more photos of Corey and our other rescue pups by going to www.FHDR.petfinder.com.
Rely for Life Co-Chair Karen DeChristopher and Denville Mayor Thomas Andes (File Photo)
PARSIPPANY — This year Relay for Life of Central Morris County will be held on Saturday, June 10 with registration starting at 2:00 p.m. and continues through Sunday, June 11 at 6:00 a.m. at Veteran Memorial Park, 1839 Route 46 at Vail Road, Parsippany. Cancer touches us all in one way or the other. Western Pest Services is sponsoring the event.
Relay for Life of Central Morris County encompasses support from eight towns Parsippany-Troy Hills, Denville, Rockaway Borough, Wharton, Mountain Lakes, Rockaway Township, Dover and Randolph Township.
Relay for Life Co-Chair Karen DeChristopher presents Denville Mayor Thomas Andes with a plaque thanking the Mayor and Council for their past and continued supportRandolph Deputy Mayor Mark H. Forstenhausler, Mayor Christine Carey and Relay For Life Logistics Chairman Nicolas Limanov. Limanov presented a plaque thanking the Mayor and Council for their past and continued support
As the nation’s largest fundraising event, Relay For Life of Central Morris County rallies families, friends, businesses, schools, hospitals, service and faith-based organizations in communities throughout Morris County and beyond and is asking you to participate in the event by: starting or joining a team, making a donation, sponsoring the event, purchasing a track sign or just coming out to show your support to those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and by providing an opportunity for everyone to fight back against the disease. They are also looking for survivors and caregivers, as we would love for you to join us so that we can celebrate and honor you during our special Survivor activities and dinner, as well as during the Luminaria Ceremony.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest and most impactful fundraising event to end cancer. It unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. With the support of thousands of volunteers like you, the American Cancer Society is helping save more than 500 lives a day. Please join us and take action against a disease that has taken too much!
For more information about getting involved, making a donation, sponsoring the event and/or purchasing a track sign, contact Karen DeChristopher, Event Co-Chair, at karen.dechristopher@gmail.com. Visit their website by clicking here or like their Facebook page for event details.
The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
MONTVILLE — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police are seeking any information related to a fatal crash that occurred last Friday, June 2, on Route 80 Westbound in Montville Township near Mile Marker 47.5.
At approximately 6:52 p.m., the New Jersey State Police were notified of a motor vehicle crash that ultimately resulted in a fatality.
The investigation revealed that a black 2014 Nissan Rogue struck a white 2013 Suzuki Burgman motor scooter. The Nissan Rogue was being operated by Michelle Perez, 42. The Suzuki Burgman motor scooter was being operated by Ismail Iqbal, 32, who was fatally injured in the crash.
Perez was charged by way of a criminal complaint with second degree Death by Auto, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5, and Driving Under the Influence, in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey State Police are asking anyone with information regarding this fatal crash to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200.
Editors 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.
With the Primary election only a day away (Tuesday, June 6) the Parsippany Republicans have a choice to make. There are two candidates running for Mayor and its our duty to vote for who we feel will best represent the taxpayers of Parsippany in November and for the next four years.
Mayor Barberio has been in office now for eight years. During this period he has created a lot of controversy within our township. Remember Waterview? The question we must answer now is can we afford another four years?
Things to consider:
1) 0% municipal property tax increase for 2017. In order for Mayor Barberio to accomplish this he used $3,800,000.00 of surplus and reserve money (2,500,000 sewer/ 700,000 water/ 600,000 township reserve). 0% increase is politics 101 during an election year. However, this could hurt us in the future the 2% saved in 2017 can be used in 2018 allowing up to 4% increase. We’ll have to wait and see.
2) Township ordinances are being ignored by Mayor Barberio (ex. Township vehicles and White Collar Salary Ranges). Township attorney John Inglesino has stated on record that “ordinances are more guidelines than laws”. I ask you, if they are just guidelines why do we pay Mr. Inglesino to prepare them? Why do they have to go before council three times be voted on and adopted
3) Mayor Barberio has made it a habit of using surplus monies to help balance his budgets over the years. Mayor Barberio has drained more than 8 million dollars in surplus for this purpose. The water/sewer utility is being used as a piggy bank by the Mayor. The water/sewer utility is a self-sustaining facility and surplus should be used for the needs of the facility only.
4) Job postings in town hall under Mayor Barberio’s watch have changed. Per OPRA request I was advised that the only jobs that are posted are jobs that civil service refer to as open-competitive. This is a big change from previous administrations that followed the employee handbook policy and posted job opportunities on bulletin board giving township employee’s a chance for advancement if they desired. Is it possible Mayor Barberio may be hindering the advancement of some township employee’s?
5) Mayor Barberio hired two individuals in December 2016 for the positions of Keyboard Clerk offering them salaries that exceeded our White Collar Salary Ranges. An emergency meeting was called by Council President Lou Valori on April 11, 2017 to have this ordinance amended to show new salary ranges. Ask yourselves:
Why would Mayor Barberio offer more money then ordinance allowed?
These positions were not posted anywhere (newspapers, town website) so how were these individuals chosen?
How did these individuals hear about job openings? Is it possible Mayor Barberio is hiring family and friends (daughters boyfriend, boyfriends mother, recently retired police officer)?
6) Transparency is still lacking. Only what Mayor Barberio wants residents to know.
7) Aurora Information Security is being paid a monthly fee for storage of materials related too James Carifi’s case. Is this not ridiculous? The township doesn’t have a place to store this stuff? More taxpayer dollars being wasted. As of March 1, 2017 a total of $68,820.83 has been paid. When will this end?
8) James Carifi lawsuit – this witch hunt/vendetta that Mayor Barberio created is costing the taxpayers of Parsippany dearly. Millions have been spent (our hard earned dollars)in the last four years and we can expect millions more in the future. The only one benefiting from this is Mr. Inglesino the township attorney. I believe its time Mayor Barberio resolves this major issue the taxpayers of Parsippany can no longer afford to have this witch hunt continue.
9) Attorney fee’s- Mr. Inglesino’s 1099 for 2016 totaled $701,985.21. When does it stop?When do we say enough is enough?
Parsippany residents, we have a decision to make come Tuesday, June 6. Do we want/need another four years of Mayor Barberio or do we want a new leader to step up and make change? New leadership with fresh ideas would be a welcome relief in my eyes. So, once again I urge you to go out and vote. No matter what you think your vote does count. For new leadership vote Peluso.
The truth is our NJDEP under the present Christie administration is bought out and weakened in the name of a false economy that separates good land use from water issues; this of course is impossible; but “economically”convenient” for market speculation sprawl development. This form of economy to nowhere injures and negatively impacts water sources. When private economic interest “trump” the science and needs of the common ignoring long term accumulative impacts and cost avoidance scenario’s we have pirates and politicians, not statesman and enlightened scientist administerings our life. When ecology becomes an obstacle rather than an friend of the way of living, humanity dooms itself through the body of alleged economic job stimulation for short-term land consumption in the name of property, not Earth, life and all things in it.
Our economy becomes the body of the dinosaur we move further further from real values and closer to senseless existence away from organic links to life itself into artificial class separations. Plastic, asphalt and ugliness replace not only gods nature but our souls…Water is Life. Somehow money makes us think oil and water mix. This is the extreme that the financialization of life itself has brought us…
We must think green, real life itself; our planets future on every level in this election. In the richest nation on earth, how can, why is money a problem? If one does not know this, one knows No-thing, and can easily believe water and oil do mix…
There is plenty of work for a society in tune with itself organically linked to the real world outside the pages of money magazine; from infrastructure, clean energy to keeping up with the trash. Vote human, vote common sense grounded in nature and man as part of not apart from.
Matthew addressing the audience and thanks everyone in attendance and tells the story of his achievements in the Boy Scouts during his Eagle Court of Honor held in 2014
PARSIPPANY — Matthew Luther, Mount Tabor, has been named to the Bucknell University dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2016-17 academic year. A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean’s list recognition.
Matthew a 2014 Graduate of Oratory Prep in Summit where he has participated in Soccer, Swimming and Lacrosse. He has also been a member of the Robotics Club, Photography Club and the Campus Ministry team. He has been designated a Carleton Fellow to mentor and assist new students at the school.
Matthew X. Luther was honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scouts’ highest honor, on Sunday, September 29, from Parsippany Troop 173.
Located in Lewisburg, Pa., Bucknell University is a highly selective private liberal arts university that offers majors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and social and natural sciences, along with broad opportunities outside of class, to its 3,600 undergraduates. Graduate programs are available in select disciplines. Students benefit from a small student-faculty ratio of 9:1, personal attention from faculty, leadership opportunities, and excellent graduation rates and career outcomes.
HANOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Hanover Township Police Chief Mark Roddy announce that Blaine Holley, 34, with a last known address in Hillside and formerly of Irvington, has been charged with crimes related to the September 2016 death of Eric Decter, 31, in Hanover.
Holley was charged Thursday by Warrant-Complaint with the first-degree crime of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death, and the third degree crime of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances (Heroin and Cocaine). The charges were authorized by state Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Taylor, in Morristown. Holley was arrested on these charges on Friday in Newark. He was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.
On the evening of September 19, 2016, law enforcement responded to the America’s Best Value Inn, 1255 State Route 10 East, Whippany on a report of an unconscious male suffering from an apparent narcotics overdose. The male, who was pronounced as deceased at the scene, was later identified as Decter, 31.
Through a subsequent investigation, it is alleged that Holley distributed various narcotics to Decter on multiple occasions, including on September 19. It is further alleged that the ingestion of the narcotics distributed by Holley to Decter resulted in Decter’s death.
Holley has been charged with Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9. This statute provides that any person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses any of a number of controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance. This is a first-degree crime, which is punishable by up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison and is subject to the 85 percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.
Members of the Hanover Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Enforcement Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Section, and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office have contributed to this investigation.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — E. Martin Rosen, 89, passed away at home on June 3, 2017.
Born in Newark, Mr. Rosen began his married life, living in Union, for ten years before moving to Parsippany in 1964 with his wife and two sons.
A graduate of Seton Hall University with a degree in marketing, Mr. Rosen had a 30-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1948 to 1978. A veteran of the Korean War, he participated in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir and earned a Purple Heart.
He retired with the rank of gunnery sergeant. He worked for Lawson Products for 25 years and was a part-time crossing guard in Parsippany after his retirement.
He was on the Parsippany First Aid Squad for fifty years and was president emeritus.
He belonged to the L/Cpl Robert J. Slattery Marine Corps League of Whippany and was a member of The Chosin Few.
A funeral service will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, June 5 at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston.
Burial will follow at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin.
Mr. Rosen was the beloved husband for 63 years of Marlene Rosen; loving father of Seth Rosen (Lisa) and the late David Rosen (Cheryl); devoted grandfather of Belinda Mitchell (Matthew), Rick Rosen, Alex Rosen, and Sam Rosen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Maya Celli and Board Member Nick Kumburis
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education presented certificate and plaques to the students of Brooklawn Middle School listed below for their fine achievements.
STUDENT COUNCIL
Lou Miller and Alison Franz – Advisors 2017 NASC National Gold Council of Excellence Award 12th Consecutive Year Only 22 Middle Schools in the United States received this award
Cassie Borino – President
Emily Arnold – Vice President Carly Spiel – Secretary
Kunal Chauhan – Treasurer
Kareena Khubchandani – State Officer
Board of Directors
Jack Reppen
Amisha Patel
Arnold Nguyen
William Geiger
Scholastic Writing National Silver Medalist Scholastic Art and Writing Regional Gold Medalist Sana Malek
Scholastic Art and Writing Regional Gold Medalist 2017 Taylor Gudelanis
John Kayson Bhat
CHOIR Adam Aguanno, Director
North Jersey School Music Association Junior Region Choir – Alto
Claire Alleyne
Danielle Anzalone
North Jersey School Music Association Junior Region Choir – Bass
Kenneth Lee
North Jersey School Music Association Junior Region Choir – Soprano 1
Chloe Budd
Ananya Vasireddy
Karmina Wall
North Jersey School Music Association Junior Region Choir – Soprano 2
Elizabeth Cogan
Anna deLaar
Ria Garg
North Jersey School Music Association Junior Region Choir – Tenor
Aidan Lafuente
Joseph Tremitiedi
BAND Kristin Cappuccino, Director
North Jersey School Music Association Elementary Honors Band Festival Justin Bondarowic
Suchi Borkar
Maya Celli
Katelin Chen
Jason Hao
Jonathan Spirock
BAND Esther Musili, Director
North Jersey School Music Association Junior Region Band North Jersey School Music Association Junior Region Orchestra Rebecca Hsaio
Achievement Awards
1 of 29
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Cassie Borino and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Emily Arnold and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Carly Spiel and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Kunal Chauhan and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Kareena Khubchandani and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Jack Reppen and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Amisha Patel and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz, Board Member Alison Cogan, Arnold Nguyen and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Advisor Alison Franz,
Board Member Alison Cogan, William Geiger and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Teacher Antonia Hernandez, Board Member Alison Cogan, Sana Malek and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Teacher Antonia Hernandez, Board Member Alison Cogan, Taylor Gudelanis and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Teacher Antonia Hernandez, Board Member Alison Cogan, John Kayson Bhat and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Claire Alleyne and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Danielle Anzalone and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Kenneth Lee and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Chloe Budd and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Ananya Vasireddy and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Karmina Wall and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Elizabeth Cogan and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Anna deLaar and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Maya Lerner and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Band Director Adam Aguanno, Board Member Alison Cogan, Joseph Tremitiedi and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Justin Bondarowic and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Suchi Borkar and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Maya Celli and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Katelin Chen and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Jason Hao and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Jonathan Spirock and Board Member Nick Kumburis
Director Kristin Cappuccino, Board Member Alison Cogan, Rebecca Hsaio and Board Member Nick Kumburis
They walk into the large auditorium from every walk of life. The seats are filled with parents who have lost children due to opioid abuse; parents, grandparents and concerned community members seeking information on the links between prescribed opioids and heroin abuse to help protect their children; widows and widowers who have lost husbands and wives to addiction; members of the medical community seeking to share information with families on alternatives to prescribed opioids in addressing sports injuries and other acute pain; community professionals and volunteers who try to connect the addicted to treatment services; county prosecutors and local law enforcement officers working to take illegal and prescription opioids off the streets; lawmakers whose lives have been touched by addiction and who are seeking answers and solutions.
This is a small cross section of individuals who have joined a unique and moving conversation about New Jersey’s opioid abuse epidemic through a series of town halls that are being held statewide over the next 17 months. The Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall series is being coordinated by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and supported by a grant from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. And, the series is coming to a county near you.
The goals of the town hall meetings are to provide residents an opportunity to more fully understand the impact this national epidemic is having on their own communities; the local, county and state resources and initiatives available to them; as well as an opportunity to highlight exemplary local programs that can be replicated throughout the state.
These town halls are not a public service; they are a public health necessity. Every day, 44 people in the country die from a prescription painkiller overdose. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, since 1999, opioid overdose deaths have quadrupled and opioid prescriptions have increased markedly, almost enough for every adult in America to have a bottle of pills.
In New Jersey, the CDC reports that 62 prescriptions for painkillers were written per 100 residents in 2014, which equates to 5.4 million prescriptions. Prescription pain medication can become a gateway to heroin use, with research showing that four out of five heroin users abused prescription pain relievers before turning to heroin. Over the last decade, heroin abuse among young adults, ages 18 to 25, has quadrupled. Addictive opioids, both legal and illegal, have never been more accessible to individuals, regardless of where they live and who they are, and heroin is now much cheaper than prescription opioids, causing heroin addiction to skyrocket.
“Stopping opioid abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted effort to improve public awareness about the threat of addiction and to develop best practices for treatment and prevention,” said Robert A. Marino, Horizon BCBSNJ chairman and chief executive officer, and the Horizon Foundation board chairman. “Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has been a leader in the fight against drug abuse, and Horizon is pleased to join them in getting everyone in the conversation on real solutions and pathways to help in the community. It’s critical to engage multiple stakeholders in the whole continuum of care, starting from awareness of opioids addiction, to prevention and treatment.”
The town halls — 17 in total — are being held in communities most impacted by the crisis throughout New Jersey’s 21 counties. So far, town halls have been held in Atlantic, Morris, Monmouth and Bergen counties, with others scheduled elsewhere.
The events are open to any members of the public interested in joining the conversation on opioid abuse. The growing list of scheduled town halls and registration information can be found by clicking here.
“All residents of New Jersey are encouraged to join the conversation and participate in their local Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall to understand the disease of addiction, develop strategies to help protect their families and identify resources to address individuals who have become dependent on prescription drugs or are abusing heroin,” said Angelo Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “Horizon has taken a leadership role in not only making these forums possible, but helping us design them as laboratories for generating best practices to attack the problem and prevent opioid abuse.”
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey will maintain a record of best practices, ideas and innovations that are revealed during each of the town hall meetings. The information collected from the 17 town hall meetings will become part of a strategy for reducing the stigma of addiction, strengthening the support system in New Jersey and ultimately reducing substance misuse.
The dangers of opioid abuse are real and the task of reversing intolerable trends of overdoses and ease of access is nothing short of intimidating. The problem is so complex and prevalent in all communities and households because addiction doesn’t discriminate. No matter age, race, gender, income status or upbringing, everyone is vulnerable to becoming an addiction statistic. For too many families, the fight is a private and heart-wrenching one, and they are overmatched when trying to do battle on their own. That’s why the Horizon Foundation has joined forces with the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey to find solutions.
As Helen Keller once said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
About the writer: Jonathan R. Pearson is executive director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
The library has a large assortment of books about cats
PARSIPPANY — June is Adopt a Cat Month. Stop by Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library to borrow picture books about our feline friends.
Each spring during “kitten season,” thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats already in shelters across the country. That means your local shelter has tons of cute, cuddly newborns, in addition to all the mellow, older cats and everything in between. And the shelter staff are ready to help you adopt your very first cat — or to bring home a friend for another beloved cat!
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library is located at 449 Halsey Road. It also has two branches, one located at 68 Nokomis Avenue, Lake Hiawatha, and the second branch is located at 31 Trinity Park, Mount Tabor.
Meet Angel! Angel is a stunning 5 year old Domestic Short Hair cat who loves everybody!! He is neutered. He is a domestic short hair male cat and is available at 11th Hour Rescue.
Click here to fill out an application to adopt Angel.
Angel was with a wonderful foster for a few weeks who had this to say about him, “Angel is a fluffy gray and white cat who is five year olds. This cutie was a stray but it didn’t stop him from being sweet and cuddly. He will let me give him a bath, clean his ears and hold him like a baby. Angel gets along with my cats and foster dog, they all wait for their turns for treats. Most of the time at my house Angel walked around the house, looked outside the window and played with his favorite toys, and took naps in between the activities. When I came home, little Angel would kiss me and purr like a motor.”
11th Hour Rescue is located at 861 Route 10, Randolph and is also located in the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, 301 Mount Hope Avenue, Rockaway. 11th Hour is open seven days a week during mall hours.
11th Hour has other kittens and cats available. Click here to view their website.
MORRISTOWN — On Tuesday, May 30, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office seized 19 bags of suspected heroin prior to it entering the Morris County Correctional Facility.
Thasseus Licata, 31, Netcong, was taken into custody at the Morris County Superior Courthouse for a Violation of Probation. Prior to placing Licata into a central holding area within the courthouse, a cursory search of the detainee conducted by Correction Officer Matthew Dunbar revealed the suspected heroin hidden within Licata’s sock.
Sheriff James Gannon
Sheriff James M. Gannon said, “This lends truth to the opioid crisis we are currently faced with throughout Morris County and the rest of the country. A find such as this may have prevented a possible overdose, and possibly another fatality within police custody.”
Undersheriff Alan J. Robinson said, “The Morris County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for the introduction of contraband into the Morris County Courthouse and moreover into the Morris County Correctional Facility. Persons found to be in possession of criminal contraband will be charged accordingly.”
Consequently, Licata was charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and issued a summons. He was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility where he is currently lodged without bail on the Violation of Probation.
This weekend, Mayor Barberio sent a letter to Intervale residents inexplicably criticizing my efforts to protect the neighborhood from a proposed Target, Whole Foods, strip mall, and large-scale housing project just 50 feet from our property lines. I, along with many other people, organized to push back against the egregious proposal while the Mayor’s administration openly supported it.
It should be noted that the Mayor never reached out to anyone who would have been directly impacted by the development; we had to reach out to him.
And while the Mayor did eventually accept my invitation to come to my house and meet with us, he sat in my living room espousing all of the reasons why we needed to accept the developer’s proposal as-is, not once making an effort to explore a compromise.
Mayor Barberio can claim all he wants that he tried to preserve Waterview. His words are one thing, but his actions were clearly another. For example, in his recent letter, Mr. Barberio asserted that if I really wanted to preserve Waterview, I should have proposed to him taking the property through eminent domain. Is he actually admitting that it would have been that easy and that he was waiting for someone else do that for him? If that is the case, then it is clear that Waterview’s demise was ostensibly his fault and his leadership ability was woefully apparent.
Mr. Barberio is taking credit for the preservation of 10+ acres that will serve as a buffer between the neighborhood and the development. Here is the truth: When Mr. Barberio couldn’t get his Council’s support and the project was initially defeated, then when the Freeholders rejected his anemic attempt to apply for open space funds, the developer’s attorney threatened to build 666 housing units only 50 feet from the neighbors’ property lines. Shortly thereafter, the developer called me and asked to speak with the citizen’s group to work out a compromise in lieu of the housing project. We met and spoke with the developer on several occasions, looking at various iterations of plans, topography maps, and traffic patterns to find a solution that we felt would be acceptable to the neighbors, while simultaneously protecting the neighborhood with what would ultimately become a 400-foot buffer. We painstakingly tried to preserve every possible square foot of land, and did that over a period of several weeks – without the Mayor.
In the Mayor’s letter, he also accused me of agreeing with the settlement proposal. Obviously, that is true. The Citizens For Health, Safety, and Welfare group and I eventually and reluctantly did. No one at that time, including council members, had a choice. However, Barberio didn’t write that I, and many other residents, spoke at multiple Council meetings and Planning Board meetings stating that it was our preference to have the township preserve the entire 26 acres. He didn’t write that given the COAH situation, we no longer saw full preservation as a viable option, so we ultimately agreed by default to what we thought was the best deal for the neighborhood. The mayor didn’t write that there was an entire group of residents that spent more than $50,000 hiring experts and lawyers to protect our interests because he couldn’t or wouldn’t do so.
Finally, the Mayor’s letter overtly accused me of having some sort of agenda in my efforts to preserve Waterview. If by working to keep a Target out of my back yard that meant I had an agenda, then I suppose he’s correct. If having the will to stand up for what I thought was best for my community meant I had an agenda, then again, I suppose I did.
I find it pathetic that Mayor Barberio would pick a fight with a citizen who is not running for any office and who undoubtedly did what anyone would have done faced with the same threat to his and his neighbors’ quality of life.
At the final Planning Board meeting, when the development was ultimately given the blessing to proceed, Mayor Barberio, on the record, thanked me for my efforts and stated that even though we disagreed, I handled everything in a classy way. What has changed since then? I guess he’s upset that his campaign sign isn’t in my yard – or in the overwhelming majority of the yards in Intervale. I, like many others, are supporting his opponent, Mr. Peluso. But after seeing Mayor Barberio’s character revealed as he desperately approaches the electoral finish line, I suppose I’m not surprised.
Good luck to all of the candidates and I applaud everyone for giving their time to run for public office.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School Key Club joined the members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany breakfast meeting on Thursday, June 1. Joining the Key Clubbers were Club Advisors Danielle Nicosia and Jodi Stapp. Also pictured with the students is Kiwanis Director of Sponsored Youth Ron Orthwein.
Key Club is in international student-led service organization that provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character, and develop leadership. Members participate in various service activities such as raising money for UNICEF, creating care cards for patients at Children’s Specialized Hospital, visiting Senior Citizens, and supporting local food banks.
The PHS Key Club is proud of their many accomplishments during the school year. They include:
Partnered with our school’s Environmental Club to clean up the PHS campus.
Canned both in school and at local shops to fundraise for Pennies for Patients (an organization that helps children with blood cancer). The Key Club raised over $400.
Geomapped local parks to help with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Take it Outside project.
Visited Care One to spend time with the elderly on a regular basis. They regularly visit our local daycare.
As the year winds down, they have several events to look forward to, like Relay for Life (Saturday, June 10) and PHS’s Redstock fair (Saturday, June 10).
The Key Club organizes several end-of-year fundraisers (movie night, trivia night, etc.) that give general members chances to become leaders. The money will go to foodbanks.
The officers of the Parsippany High School Key Club are: President Samantha Lee; Vice President Udhay Khullar; Vice President Nicholas Lim; Recording Secretary Ellie Xu; Corresponding Secretary Angeline Jiju; Treasurer Albert Chen; Editor Alice Limanova; Historian Jessica Ho; and Webmaster Marc Hoeltge. Lieutenant Governor is Stephanie Shen.
Parsippany High School Key Club is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.
Director Giancarlo Fernandez, Steve (the star of "Boys of Bate") and Film Maker Roman Petrocelli
UNION — The “Boys of Bate” is a story of hope and transformation, and for the eighteen teenagers who made the movie, work on its filming and production helped them to face their addictions and save their lives. Made over the summer of 2014 by the young men at Bate House, the film is 43 minutes long and promotes hope and transformation by depicting the dilemmas two friends face when choosing to be drug-free.
Shortly after Integrity House director Roman Petrocelli, MA, LPC joined the Bate staff in February 2014, he was contacted by Saladin Stafford, a corrections officer in Newark whose passion is producing hip hop videos. Around the same time, Saladin had finished turning one of his videos into a feature film called “NickNames” at the request of community leaders. After taking the residents to see the film, Petrocelli was able to have Saladin talk to them at the Bate House facility.
“After he left, I processed it with the main group and I said, ‘Well, do you think we could make a short film based on your experience here?” and they were so gung-ho about it [with] youthful exuberance … which, you don’t see a lot sometimes in this setting,” he says.
Petrocelli says he and another staff member reviewed guides such as “How to Make a Short Film for Dummies” and brought in story boards the next day. Upon realizing the project would take work, the kids were slightly crestfallen. But residents rose to the occasion, he says, writing the script themselves by combining four or five of their own personal stories to provide the storyline of the two main characters—Petrocelli directed and gave them guidance when asked—he had to approve the scripts, too—but the project was completely resident-driven.
The young men behind this one-of-a-kind project won the “2017 Impact Award” at the inaugural NJ Recovery Film Festival
“The young men behind this one-of-a-kind project won the ‘2017 Impact Award’ at the inaugural NJ Recovery Film Festival, said Roman Petrocelli.”
He continued “I will be forever grateful to this special group of young men who made this film to educate and support others.”
Bate serves kids who are 13 to 18 years old, and it is one of many residential treatment programs of Integrity House, a well-known substance abuse rehabilitation center in the heart of Newark.
In the movie, the main character, Steve, known as Pos, is arrested with his friend for selling drugs in front of a drug treatment facility for teens. After they are released from a detention center, they are reunited at a treatment facility, where they believe they can do whatever they want. Wrong. The experience changes them, teaching them about honesty along the way, in the effort to make their lives turn out right.
New Jersey Recovery Film Festival
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Krish Ellison and Ashley Berdnik for Integrity House
Giancarlo Fernandez, Steve "Pos" and Roman Petrocelli
Panel before the preview of the film. Julie and Kurt Neale, "Ask Documentary" and Steve "Pos", Giancarlo Fernandez and Roman Petrocelli
Roman Petrocelli receiving "The Impact Award" from Chris Capaci
Roman Petrocelli thanking the attendees and all of the other film makers and participants
Pos (Steve) admiring "The Impact Award" for the film "Boys of Bate"
Steve (the star of "Boys of Bate") and Film Maker Roman Petrocelli
Director Giancarlo Fernandez, Steve (the star of "Boys of Bate") and Film Maker Roman Petrocelli
The New Jersey Recovery Film Festival was held at Kean University, STEM building
And that’s what many of the kids came to grips with in the Bate program. Some didn’t want to buy in to their recovery when they got there, but making the movie changed that. It gave them a reason to shape up. Steve knew he needed help and he didn’t resist. The movie reinforced his desire to get well because he was so miserable. The talented baseball player and straight “A” student was a dropout by the 11th grade. And his best friend overdosed a month before he showed up at Integrity House.
Integrity House’s “Boys of Bate”, a client-created and produced short film about adolescent drug abuse, hope, struggles and transformations. A fundraiser and red carpet release premiere was held on February 25, 2015.
The New Jersey Recovery Film Festival was presented by Prevention Links, Capacity Images, and the Raymond J. Lesniak Experience, Strength and Hope Recovery High School. The event is a celebration of film, the arts and creatively expressing the journey to recovery. They showcased films that tell honest stories and share experience in addiction, strength discovered on the journey and the hope found in recovery.
Integrity House is committed to helping individuals and families through comprehensive, integrated addictions treatment and recovery support in a manner that brings about positive, long-term lifestyle change. Their CARF accredited and highly effective treatment community believes in a client-centered, holistic approach, offering integrated services and a full continuum of care for addressing substance use disorders. Caring and qualified staff assess individual needs throughout the process, allowing placement in flexible programs that best fit the clients’ needs. Founded in 1968, Integrity House is one of the largest non-profit providers of substance use disorder treatment in the State of New Jersey. Our robust outpatient, residential and supportive housing offerings, complemented with ongoing prevention and education services, have provided clients a path to sustainable sobriety.
The festival was held at Kean University, STEM building, on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3.