36th Annual Tee Off for Education Golf Classic

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May 25, 2017

Greg Cavallo, B Rapp, Ed Korleski, Reese Evans enjoyed the 2016 Golf Classic

Area women intent on their game at the Social and Luncheon

PARSIPPANY — For over 35 years the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) has held its Annual Tee Off for Education Golf Classic & Luncheon Social to benefit the club’s Scholarship and Education Fund.

All money raised goes back to Parsippany students (open to both male and female students) in educational programs such as scholarships to graduating high school seniors, Citizenship Awards to graduating eighth graders, fifth Grade Reading Awards, a Spelling Bee, Dr. Seuss Birthday events and library donations.

In 2016, thirty-one students were honored by the club, including ten high school seniors who each received a scholarship. In addition, starting this year we will make a significant monetary donation to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ Success for Survivors Scholarship which assists those impacted by intimate partner violence pursue higher education.

The event will be held on Tuesday, July 11at the Knoll Country Club West. The fundraiser includes a social and games or golf and for all attendees; a buffet lunch, Tricky Tray, 50/50 Raffle, Door Prizes and more!

Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills club member MaryAnn Coyne with her husband Bill admiring some of the great Tricy Tray Baskets.

The fee for the Social and Luncheon is $35.00 and includes Continental Breakfast, Cards, Games, Hot and Cold Buffet Luncheon, Door Prizes, Tricky Tray and 50/50 Raffle. The Social and Games start at 10:00 a.m.

The fee for Golfers is $115.00 and includes Continental Breakfast, Hot and Cold Buffet Luncheon, Door Prizes, Tricky Tray and 50/50 Raffle. The Golf Scramble Shotgun starts at 8:00 a.m.

Reservations are needed by June 29.

If you would like attend the 36th Annual Tee Off for Education Golf Classic & Luncheon Social, please contact Lois at (973) 887-6627 or WCPTH, Golf Outing, P.O. Box 98, Parsippany, NJ 07054.

Tricky Tray items included Baskets of Cheer, Yankee tickets, restaurant gift cards, show tickets and much more.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. For club information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com or click here to visit their website; or follow on FaceBook.

Parsippany MOMS Clubs Welcome New Members at Recent Open House

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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PARSIPPANY — The MOMS Clubs of Parsippany East and West held a joint open house and children’s yoga class at the Parsippany Main Library on May 5. Over thirty children and thirty adults were in attendance, with many of the younger guests participating in a lively yoga class conducted by Ankita Roelofs, herself a former member of the MOMS Club of Parsippany West.

Caregivers were able to connect over refreshments both before and after the class.

The MOMS Clubs of Parsippany East and West are chapters of the International MOMS Club, a non-profit organization focused on Moms Offering Moms Support. Its mission is to offer support and enriching activities to both mothers and their children. Activities include organized family friendly outings; various activity groups for both children and moms; moms’ nights out; and monthly service projects to benefit both children in need and the larger community. Members represent a diverse group and all moms are welcome.

Didn’t make the open house but still want to learn about MOMS Club chapters in Parsippany?

If you live in Parsippany with children who attend or will attend Troy Hills, Lake Hiawatha, Northvail, Knollwood, or Rockaway Meadow schools, email parsippanymomsclubeast@gmail.com or click here.

Those whose children attend or will attend Intervale, Mount Tabor, Lake Parsippany, Eastlake, and Littleton schools should email parsippanymomsclubwest@gmail.com or click here.

Both chapters can also be found on their public Facebook pages.

Letter to the editor: Reader praises Drayer Physical Therapy

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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The center specializes in manual therapy, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics, pain management, pre- and post-operative rehabilitation, sports medicine, and work and industry services

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter based on my experience with Drayer Physical Therapy, which opened recently on New Road in Parsippany.

I began treatment at their Flanders location and transferred to Parsippany when it opened in March, since I live in Parsippany.

The Center Manager, Jonathan Zaid, and his receptionist, Aishath, are absolutely incredible! They are both very warm and make you feel welcome the moment you step in the door. Both Jonathan and Aishath take a personal interest in your life and you know they mean it and are listening when they ask the question, “How are you?”

Jonathan is incredibly knowledgeable and extremely dedicated to his patients. He gives out his personal cell phone and makes sure he is available for his patients at all times. I can’t even express how impressive this is as most people these days leave their work at the office, but not him.

You can tell he means it when he says call or text me anytime. A couple of weeks ago, I had severe pain on a Sunday afternoon. My roommate texted Jonathan and he immediately called to speak with me. I advised him of my symptoms and he walked me through different exercises until the pain calmed down. He even checked on me the next day!

Drayer is a special kind of place. I have been to a number of physical therapy facilities over the years but have never been to a place like this. The employees truly care and make a difference! I strongly recommend Drayer Physical Therapy!

Jamie Savage

Three Parsippany students were recognized as outstanding Band members

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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mayo honorees — Area students honored as May Students of the Month at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown include, in front, from left, Spence Gaggney, Randolph Middle School, Randolphl Marvin Li, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany; Trevor Govelitz, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany; Emily Hughes, Whippany Park High School, Whippany; and Charlie Sager, Mendham Township Middle School. In rear, from left, are Nicholas Caruso, West Morris Central High School, Washington Township; Christ Coulter, Copeland Middle School, Rockaway; Mitchell Ryzuk, Parsippany High School; Timothy Scott, Morristown High School; and Ben Kunze, Ridgedale Middle School

PARSIPPANY — Three Parsippany students were recognized as outstanding Band members by the Mayo Performing Arts Center for their achievements on the stage.

Trevor Govelitz, Marvin LiGrade, and Mitchell Ryzuk were recognized for their talents. Students are nominated by teachers, and are chosen by MPAC’s theater education department based on “commitment to and excellence in the performing arts.” All students honored are invited to preform at a year-end recital in June.

Trevor Govelitz, a seventh grader at Brooklawn Middle School was nominated by Joseph Stella:

Trevor is a trumpet player in our 7th grade band and also plays trumpet in our jazz band and pit orchestra. He is a leader in his section and is always willing to play solos when asked. In addition to being a fine musician, he is a very friendly and respectful student.

Marvin LiGrade, a seventh grader at Brooklawn Middle School, was also nominated by Joseph Stella:

Marvin is a percussionist in our 7th grade band and was selected by audition to play the drum set part in this year’s pit orchestra for our school musical. He is always receptive to being challenged in his lessons with increasingly more difficult music. He has also done well with learning the many types of percussion instruments including the mallet instruments.

Mitchell Ryzuk, a senior at Parsippany High School was nominated by Gregory Dalakian:

Mitchell has been involved in every single facet of the PHS music program since his freshman year. He has served as the Snare Captain of the Drumline the last two years and the Drumline Section Leader this past year. He has also been our Jazz Band drummer all through high school and has played drum set for every high school and middle school pit orchestra since he was in middle school. Mitchell is a talented musician who always leads by example and gladly gives of his time and efforts in order for our band program to succeed. He is truly an outstanding band member with a true passion for music.

The 2016-2017 Music Student of the Month program is sponsored by The Provident Bank Foundation.

Parsippany woman busted for drugs in front of child

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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PARSIPPANY — Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of Janis Giambertone, 41, on a charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, and the East Rutherford Police Department under the direction of Chief Larry Minda.

On May 11, the East Rutherford Police Department and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a 12-year-old victim was present while Janis Giambertone possessed and ingested controlled dangerous substances in East Rutherford.

As a result of the investigation, Janis Giambertone was arrested on Thursday, May 18, in East Rutherford, and charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a, a third degree crime. After being processed, Janis Giambertone was released pending a first appearance at the Bergen County Central Judicial Court on Wednesday, May 31 at 9:00 a.m.

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.

Judge denies probable cause in criminal charges against Barberio

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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Bill Brennan 3 — Bill Brennan at Pequannock Municipal Court

PARSIPPANY — 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 judge exerted the truth regarding the criminal complaint. He wasn’t going to enforce it because he claims it should have been filed with the Civil Service Commission. They are watering down every check and balance citizens had in place to hold government officials accountable. Christ Christie controls the prosecutors, judges and attorney general, we need the system to be held accountable and enforceable,” said Bill Brennan.

He also said “John Inglesino is the ultimate target in the series of criminal charges that I commenced against Parsippany officials. Inglesino is a criminal and I invite him to sue me for slander, defamation and libel because I have said it, I have implied it and I have put it in writing. I welcome the subpoena power that such a lawsuit would confer upon me.”

Mayor James Barberio and Business Administrator Ellen Sandman did not attend the Monday hearing. Attorney Vij Pawar, representing the duo, addressed the court.

Previous, Parsippany Court Administrator Al Leal referred the probable cause hearing to Morristown Municipal Court. At that time, Parsippany Focus contacted Mr. Pawar, who refused to take our call, but we left a message with his secretary, reminding Mr. Pawar, that would be a conflict of interest to hold the hearing in Morristown Municipal Court, since his partner is the Morristown Prosecutor. Mr. Pawar never returned our telephone call. The the hearing was sent to Lincoln Park Municipal Court, but the Judge also determined there was a conflict of interest, so the hearing was then sent to Pequannock Municipal Court.

The criminal charges were filed in Parsippany Municipal Court on Friday, April 7 by Democratic activist and candidate for governor Bill Brennan. The charges stem from two employees hired in violation of Parsippany’s White Collar Salary Ordinance.

Ramona J. Ortiz was hired on December 5, 2016 as a Keyboarding Clerk 1, at an annual salary of $54,000. The salary ordinance for white-collar workers, specifically Keyboarding Clerk 1, Ordinance 2016:22 states the salary is a minimum of $17,000 with a maximum of $48,000. She was hired at $6,000 more than the maximum amount allowed by Township Ordinance.

Eugene Natoli was hired on December 19, 2016 as a Keyboarding Clerk 1, at an annual salary of $50,000. The salary ordinance for white-collar workers, specifically Keyboarding Clerk 1, Ordinance 2016:22 states the salary is a minimum of $17,000 with a maximum of $48,000. He was hired at $2,000 more than the maximum amount allowed by Township Ordinance.

Bill Brennan stated “My criminal charge in Parsippany has resulted in odd behavior by the municipal court system. Before sending the case to Morristown Municipal Court for a probable cause determination, the Parsippany Municipal Court set a first appearance for the defendants in Superior Court for April 19. This caused media inquiries to the Superior Court regarding status. In response the Superior Court was perplexed because no paperwork had been received from either Parsippany or Morristown.”

During the delay in hearing the probable cause, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council scheduled an “special” meeting, on April 11, to pass an ordinance to change the White Color Salary Ordinance (Click here to read story: Cover Up Of A Crime? Salary Ordinance Revised; 3-2 Vote on First Reading). Council President Louis Valori, Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani approved the Ordinance on First Reading. Council Vice President Robert Peluso and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr. voted against the ordinance.

The Ordinance was approved 3-2 on final reading at Regular Council meeting held on Tuesday, April 25.

The Ordinance, #2017:05, shall be retroactive to January 1, 2017 for all employees active on the date of introduction of this ordinance. The salary in this ordinance for Keyboarding Clerk 1 will have a minimum starting salary of $17,000 annually to $55,000 annually. (Note: A copy of the Ordinance was not available to the public during the special meeting, Parsippany Focus obtained a copy through Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Click here to see the complete White Collar Salary ranges.

“I find it kind-of comical that we had to have this special meeting, at the last second, right after this gentlemen who you claim files this bogus claim,” Councilman Paul Carifi told Parsippany Focus. “Again, the mayor hired these people at a higher rate than what the salary ordinance allows. That is a fact. This is a knee-jerk reaction, as usual, by the mayor.”

“I’m voting with my conscience, no,” Council Vice President Robert Peluso said.

Brennan said the municipal court did not give him satisfaction, he will file a new complaint that left out the civil service violation, a fourth-degree crime, and charge them with official misconduct.

“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,” Brennan said. “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.”

CCM 2017 Graduation to Take Place at Mennen Sports Arena

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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RANDOLPH — For the first time in its history, County College of Morris (CCM) will be holding its graduation ceremony off site this year due to the enthusiastic response of students who wish to participate in the ceremony.

The Class of 2017 totals more than 1,400 and it is expected that the number who will participate in commencement will exceed 500. The class includes graduates from August 2016 and January and May 2017.

Given the large number of expected participants, college officials have moved the 48th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 26, to the Mennen Sports Arena in Morris Plains. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m.

“We’re delighted that so many CCM students want to take part in their graduation,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, CCM president. “Moving the location not only will allow us to better accommodate all of our graduates, it also will allow them to invite more of their family and friends.”

With this commencement, CCM expects to reach a grand total of 50,000 graduates.

For additional information, click here.

Nicole Tagliente Inducted into the National Health Education Honor Society at Scranton

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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PARSIPPANY — Nicole Tagliente, a Parsippany Hills High School graduate, was among The University of Scranton students inducted into the national health education honor society (Eta Sigma Gamma).

The honor society is open to all community health education majors with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher in the major and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0.

The University’s chapter of the honor society was established in 2012.

Tagliente is a senior majoring in community health education at the Jesuit University.

Founded in 1888, Scranton is a private Catholic and Jesuit university that is known for outstanding academic quality, a beautiful and technology-rich campus, and a sense of community that helps you feel right at home.

The University of Scranton was founded as Saint Thomas College by Most Reverend William G. O’Hara, D.D., the first Bishop of Scranton, who had always hoped to provide an opportunity for higher education in the Lackawanna Valley. In August 1888, with few resources at hand, he blessed a single block of granite as a cornerstone for his new college, which would admit its first students four years later. The cornerstone of Old Main is preserved in the wall of St. Thomas Hall.

The college was staffed by diocesan priests and seminarians until 1896 and then, for one year, by the Xaverian Brothers. From 1897 until 1942 the school, which was renamed The University of Scranton in 1938, was administered for the Diocese by the Christian Brothers. In the late summer of 1942, at the invitation of Most Reverend William Hafey, D.D., 19 Jesuits, led by Rev. Coleman Nevils, S.J., the newly appointed president, arrived on campus to administer the University.

The Jesuits restructured and strengthened Scranton’s traditional and pre-professional programs with an emphasis on the liberal arts, which are the foundation for every program at a Jesuit university. This emphasis is intended to give Scranton students an appreciation for all disciplines as they develop specific subject knowledge.

The University has flourished under the Jesuits, growing from a primarily commuter school with fewer than 1,000 students to a broadly regional, comprehensive university with a total enrollment of approximately 5,500 students in undergraduate, graduate and nontraditional programs.

Bob Venezia discusses “Qualifying Urban Aid Municipality”

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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Councilman Michael dePierro, Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani, Paul Carifi, Jr., President Louis Valori and Vice President Robert Peluso

Editor’s Note: Parsippany Resident Bob Venezia presented the following facts during the Council Meeting of Monday, May 22.

Unfortunately due to time restraints imposed by Council President Louis Valori, limiting the public portion to three minutes, Mr. Venezia didn’t finish the entire presentation. Mr. Valori cut off Mr. Venezia after speaking for three minutes. Parsippany Focus is publishing his entire presentation.

Here is the complete presentation he attempted to discuss with the Mayor and Council:

A little known and even less publicized feature of the affordable housing rules is the concept of Urban Aid Municipalities as defined by the state legislature. The 46 Urban Aid Municipalities are home to 30% of New Jersey’s population, and they contribute heavily to the number of affordable housing units needed at the state and regional level. However, they are under no obligation to actually build affordable housing units, so their obligation must be absorbed by the remaining 70% of the state. In Morris County, which lies in region 2, affordable housing quotas are inflated by at least 40% because of the Urban Aid Municipality exemption.

To be designated as a “Qualifying Urban Aid Municipality”, only one of three criteria must be met. It should come as no surprise that each of these criteria have little to do with affordable housing and everything to do with politics. As a result, the majority of voters in almost every municipality that appears on the Urban Aid Municipality exemption list is affiliated with a single political party. Let’s examine each of these criteria a little closer.

Rule #1 states that if a municipality contains a number of substandard housing units greater than the regional average, then it qualifies as an exempt urban aid municipality. But logically, why would you want to discourage towns that have a large inventory of substandard housing, like Newark, Camden, Paterson, and Trenton, from building affordable housing that actually meets acceptable living standards?

Rule #2: Any municipality with a population of at least 10,000 people per square mile of land area is exempt from affordable housing obligations. This rule may also be labelled as the Hudson County Exemption Rule because of the way it is constructed. Rule #2 exempts 87% of Hudson County’s population, while few, if any, other towns in the state meet this criterion. A high population density has not prevented affluent towns like Jersey City and Hoboken from adding tens of thousands of market value housing units in the last decade. Why shouldn’t some of them be affordable?

Rule #3 appears to be specifically targeted to exempt the Essex County constituency. Essex didn’t quite make the 10,000 people per square mile criterion, so that rule had to be tweaked a little bit. Rule #3 exempts municipalities with populations of 6,000 to 10,000 per square mile provided that the amount of vacant land in the municipality is less than 5%. This contrived rule exempts 70% of Essex County, while the 5% vacancy clause limits many other towns in the state from qualifying. Montclair, one of the more affluent towns in the state, gets an affordable housing free pass under this rule.

It’s easy to understand why the legislature included these rules in the Fair Share Housing Act. They were just taking care of their loyal constituents. But if the New Jersey Supreme Court was truly concerned about the equitable distribution of affordable housing throughout the state, then these rules should have been struck down. The true intentions of the Fair Share Housing Center and Dr. Kinsey also come into question here because of their lack of objection to these rules. Why didn’t they demand that their fair share methodology be applied to all municipalities equally and without exception? In fact that is exactly what should happen. The Econsult and Dr. Kinsey methodologies should be applied uniformly throughout the state. The only reason any municipality should be exempted from their affordable housing obligation is if the Econsult and Dr. Kinsey calculations result in a zero obligation.

The Urban Aid Municipalities Exemption rules need to be challenged and they need to be overturned.

So, I am asking the Council and the Mayor to initiate the process by either formally requesting Econsult to challenge the rules, or by commissioning our own legal counsel to do it. I would now like to hear from each of you whether you intend to pursue this course of action or not, and if not, please explain why.

Thank you
Bob Venezia

Letter to the editor: Inglesino wrong about Highlands Coalition

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 25, 2017

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Dear Editor:

Pasippany-Troy Hills Township Attorney John Inglesino said Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Highlands Water Protection & Planning Act and Affordable Housing was no longer valid.

He is wrong. COAH does have environmental policies like leaving steep slopes, or properties on list for open space. Highlands would make even stronger where housing goes. Parsippany was in a state of conformance from July 2010-June 2014.

Waterview could of been put on a “checklist” to give it the expected highlands protection during the time. Our own steep slope ordinance Master Plan Goals 2, 7, 10, Troy Brook study all could of made Citizens Goal possible. Forge Pond also would of been gotten in the same manner. Being in complete regional master plan conformance also brings legal shields from developers lawsuits and brings more transparency and citizens participation if they want it..

Also told by UPS person they paid $6 million for the property in Morris Corporate Park, so why would they go to Georgia, plus they got the PILOT deal. Barberio had to allow more office space to be built, to validate his claim to have more occupied. He thinks he’s some great job creator instead of making sure our Municipal workforce is doing their jobs and enforcing ordinances. He never noticed or cared about the conditions on North Beverwyck. Recycling is still not according to the law either all too many establishments ignore or have no disciple in this this.

Nick Homyak

From Highlands Coalition on MOU…

In 2008 soon after the RMP was adopted Governor Corzine issued Executive Order #114 that among other things directed COAH and the Highlands Council to fairly balance the needs to promulgate affordable housing as stipulated by the Fair Housing Acts, with natural resource protections for the Highlands Region, as stipulated in the Highlands Act. Accordingly, once the memorandum of understanding was signed, the Highlands Build Out reports (a required conformance module), which calculated the ultimate development potential of a town, including the number of affordable units, would be considered as certified by COAH. Across the state muni’s were as freaked then as they are today with the prospect of being forced to reconcile their Constitutional obligations under the Fair Housing Act. Almost all Highlands muni’s, even those who had viciously opposed the Highlands Act, were clawing past each other to file Notice’s of Intent to Conform to the Highlands Regional Master Plan with the Highlands Council. Corzine had issued additional Exec Order that stated that by merely filing a NOI, they could choose between the build-out under their current zoning to determine their AF numbers, or the Highlands. And in almost all cases the Highlands numbers were significantly lower.

The Fair Share Housing Center immediately challenged the MOU in Court. But, the RMP and the MOU were upheld. I’ve attached the FSHC challenge and Judge Skillman’s decision. The FSHC brief includes a copy of the MOU in its appendix.

Letter to the editor: DeCroce Practicing Gutter Politics

By

Frank L. Cahill

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May 24, 2017

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Dear Editor:

Republican candidate for Assembly in New Jersey’s 26th District, John Cesaro called on BettyLou DeCroce to “stop relying on half-truths and innuendo to hide from her own shortcomings and talk about issues.”

A day after Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce attempted to turn what one official called “a paperwork snafu” into a campaign issue John Cesaro is fighting back.

Cesaro said, “My campaign has been an issues focused campaign and I’d like to keep it that way, but I will not allow BettyLou DeCroce’s continued cheap shots to go unanswered.”

Cesaro campaign manager Steve Kush added, “If DeCroce wants to attempt to make a paperwork snafu about character, fine, let’s compare the character of the candidates. Unlike DeCroce, John Cesaro never used his position of influence to get lighter duty for a relative performing community service. DeCroce has yet to explain what connections she may have used to make that incident go away.”

Kush asked, “Does DeCroce forget the fact that while she was the township clerk in Roxbury she requested a defendant serving community service do that service in her office? Does she forget that defendant was her nephew? Does she forget that her defendant nephew was, according to news accounts, ‘completing a juvenile probationary sentence for a minor role he had in a locker room sex scandal’ at the time she was getting him an easier community service assignment?”

“It didn’t require knowledge of the law to understand defendants were, and still are, prohibited from serving community service in a place where a relative held a position of influence. Commonsense would tell any reasonable person that,” Cesaro explained. “And, BettyLou DeCroce exercised about as much commonsense in Roxbury as she did in voting for the gas tax.”

“Because she is a part of a culture in Trenton that has gotten New Jersey into the mess we are in, I suspect BettyLou DeCroce will continue to try to drag this campaign into the gutter, and that’s her choice,” Cesaro said. “And, while I will defend myself from her constant cheap shots, I will also continue to offer ideas that can lead to solutions to make New Jersey safer by fixing the failing bail reform law, making school funding more fair to suburban districts and working to reduce the gas tax.”

Steve Kush

Source: Daily Record February 25, 2006; Daily Record December 16, 2005

Morris County Freeholders Honor Military Veterans at Memorial Day Ceremony

By

Frank L. Cahill

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May 24, 2017

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Memorial Day Veterans — Veterans at Morris County Event

MORRIS COUNTY— Military veterans from across Morris County, and representing a host of military conflicts from World War II and Vietnam to Operation Iraqi Freedom, were honored today at Morris County’s Memorial Day ceremony, which was sponsored by the Morris County Board of Freeholders and conducted on the lawn of the historic County Courthouse in Morristown.

One of the honorees was U.S. Army and World War II veteran John McDermott of Denville, who served in Japan at the conclusion of the war, and today received his long-awaited World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation –Japan medal.

The medal was presented to him by fellow World War II veteran Hjalmar Johansson, an Air Force veteran and former German prisoner of war. Johannson, a Montville resident, was today’s keynote speaker.

Freeholders' Memorial Day Commemoration

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“We in Morris County honor those Americans who have served in the armed forces and honor those Americans who have given their lives while serving,’’ Freeholder Director Doug Cabana said at the event. “President Harry Truman once said, ‘our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.’’’

Freeholders Cabana, Hank Lyon, Tom Mastrangelo and John Cesaro were joined at the event by Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, Sheriff James Gannon, Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, and Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz.

The county’s Memorial Day ceremony featured the freeholders presenting the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal to the eight honored Morris County veterans in recognition of their service to our nation.

The full list of honorees include:

George Briscoe, Budd Lake, U.S. Navy. 2001-2004
Loris Clarke, Kenvil, U.S. Army, 1992-95
Louis Bodian, Morristown, U.S. Army, 1969-71
Eugene Lemoncelli, Dover, U.S. Marine Corps, 1954-57
Kenneth Gorman, Mount Hope, U.S. Air Force, 1965-71
Christopher Orr, Wharton, U.S. Army, 1974-89
Paul Vico, Morris Plains, U.S. Army, 1969-70
John McDermott, Denville, U.S. Army, 1946-47

The county’s Distinguished Service Medal is unique to Morris County and features the county seal encircled with the words, “Morris County Distinguished Military Service,” on the front. An outline of the county and the American flag is on the back of the medal, along with the words, “Morris County Freeholders Military Commemorative.”

Each medal’s striped ribbon is the color of the specific conflict during which the veteran served.

Since the freeholders began the program in 2000, nearly 10,000 medals have been presented to veterans or to their family members.

During World War II Hjalmar Johansson was assigned to a heavy bomber crew of B-24s, as a nose gunner, with the 15th Air Force, 461st Bomb Group, Squadron 767. In December 1944, during a mission to take out a refinery in Poland, his plane encountered German fighter planes, engaged in battle, was badly damaged, and eventually crashed in Austria.

He was able to bail out. However, while some of his crew were saved by Romanian partisans, he was captured by the German Army and became a prisoner of war for six months, until liberated by the Soviet Army.

His story is chronicled in a History Channel in a video entitled “A Leap of Faith.’’

As for McDermott, he has long been eligible for his World War II medals but he never received them after service – possibly due to bureaucratic snafu. His daughter contacted Morris County Veterans’ Office last year and they interceded to contact the Army and arranged to have the medals sent to her.

The ceremony featured the Marine Corps Color Guard, Golf Co, 2^nd Battalion, 25^th Regiment from Picatinny Arsenal; the Morris County Sheriff’s Department Color Guard; an invocation by Rev. Sydney Williams, Bethel AME Church, in Morristown; and patriotic songs by the Lakeview School Select Chorus of Denville.

Bagpipes were played by Sergeant Matt Potter and Captain Robert McNally of the Prosecutor’s office, and the wreath laying featured retired County Veterans’ Services Officer Charles Jurgensen and Gary Zakrzeski.

To view the full program click here.

PHS Environmental Club organized and hosted annual grounds cleanup

By

Frank L. Cahill

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May 24, 2017

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Poster Designed by Corinne Troccoli, Artist from Morris Knolls High School

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Environmental Club organized and hosted the annual grounds cleanup: Slam Dunk the Junk-Keep Morris County Litter Free, on May 10.

This is a state-wide campaign and held by the New Jersey Clean Communities Program and sponsored by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority.

PHS Environmental Club advisors Nancy Lennon and Kelly Garbarino, club President Sean Callaghan, Vice President Daniela Rengifo Marmolejo, Secretary Caitlin Ford, and many PHS students collected garbage and beautified the school grounds for over two hours, resulting in multiple bags of garbage and recyclables being collected. Refreshments for the effort were supplied by the PHS PTSA and were very much appreciated.

The PHS Environmental Club will be receiving a $500 grant for participating in this campaign and will use the money to buy necessary equipment to further recycling programs at PHS.

According to Liz Sweedy, Morris County Clean Communities coordinator, “Keep Morris County Litter Free” is part of the “Slam Dunk the Junk” statewide initiative sponsored by the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, which focuses on conducting litter cleanups, enforcing anti-litter regulations and changing the attitudes of “litterbugs” through education.

DeCroce: Parsippany’s Chief Municipal Prosecutor Cesaro ineligible to practice Law

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Frank L. Cahill

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May 24, 2017

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Senator Joe Pennacchio swears in John Cesaro and his wife Melissa holds the bible during the reorganization meeting of the Morris County Freeholders

PARSIPPANY — Two weeks before the June primary, news broke on Tuesday that Morris County Deputy Freeholder Director John Cesaro has been ineligible to practice law since October 21, 2016 but still continued to handle cases. Cesaro is a Chief Prosecutor in Parsippany, and also serves in Essex Fells, Hanover, North Caldwell and Rockaway Township.

Incumbent Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, one of Cesaro’s opponent in the primary released a statement and a link to the state Supreme Court order saying Cesaro had been administratively ineligible since October 2016 over his failure to register for the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA). Attorneys are required to register annually with the IOLTA fund (Rule 1:28A).

Since 1989, the IOLTA Fund has awarded grants of more than $400 million to Legal Services of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and 134 other non-profit, 501(c) 3 organizations. The grants provide funding for free legal services to low-income people with civil legal problems, improvement in the administration of justice and education about the law.

“If true, this is an outrageous breach of trust by someone being paid by property taxpayers to represent the legal interests of multiple municipalities and citizens,” DeCroce said in a press release. “Freeholder Cesaro needs to come clean and explain why he is on this list and whether he disclosed his ineligible status to any of the elected officials in the towns where he has public contracts and was practicing law.”

John Cesaro told Parsippany Focus he registers every year but he apparently failed to do so last year. He wasn’t aware of his ineligibility until DeCroce contacted newspapers and some of his supporters.

Cesaro’s license is otherwise in good standing and ineligibility is not equivalent to being suspended, which was confirmed by the State Office of Attorney Ethics, according to the Daily Record. He also is up to date with his annual, $212 fee to the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection.

“It must have been a clerical error,” he said. “It was not an ethics issue, not a disciplinary issue.”

After finding out his status, Cesaro contacted the fund and filled out the appropriate paperwork.

“I got to thank my opponent for bringing this to my attention,” Cesaro said. “If I were her, I would focus on this, too. It takes the attention away from the fact that she voted with the Democrats for the 157-percent gas tax increase.”

According to the NJ Attorney Detail, John Cesaro, Esq. has a current status of active

According to the Daily Record, IOLTA Fund Executive Director Catherine Ferrise stated Cesaro resolved the issue and was expect to return to the active attorney list.
At the time this article was published, Parsippany Focus checked with the New Jersey Court website, NJ Attorney Detail and Mr. Cesaro’s license is active.

Cesaro also called DeCroce’s statement “her Hail Mary attempt to try win an election.”

Both 26th District Assembly seats – one occupied by DeCroce, the second by Jay Webber – are available this year. Cesaro and fellow Morris County Freeholder William “Hank” Lyon are both running for the seats and have specifically targeted DeCroce.

On Wednesday, it was reported that DeCroce filed a lawsuit in Morris County Superior Court claiming Lyon is violating state election finance laws.

On May 8, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Mayor James Barberio submitted a resolution to the Township Council to approve Cesaro as the Chief Municipal Prosecutor of Parsippany Municipal Court. (Click here to view Resolution 2017-68). Also on May 8, Resolution 2017-69 was presented to the Township Council to appoint Doug Cabana as Municipal Prosecutor. (Click here to view Resolution 2017-69). The township council approved both resolutions, based on the due diligence is completed by the Township Attorney, Township Clerk and Business Administrator. Parsippany Focus submitted an OPRA request for copies of the Professional Services Agreement.

Click here for a complete list of the 1,320 Attorneys not in Compliance with Rule 1:28A for 2016.

County Improvement Authority Chooses Firm for Potential Lease of Operations at Morris View

By

Frank L. Cahill

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May 24, 2017

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Morris-View-Nursing-Home — Morris View Healthcare Center

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Improvement Authority, after briefing the Board of Freeholders, today selected Allaire Healthcare Group of Freehold as the company best qualified to lease and run the county’s Morris View Healthcare Centre.

That decision will allow the MCIA to commence negotiations with Allaire which has offered the county $2.7 million annually to lease Morris View. (click here for website)

Combined with a reduction in costs to the county to operate Morris View, the lease could result in an initial total annual savings of $4 million to $6 million, and up to $8 million a year by the end of the decade.

The MCIA chose Allaire based on the unanimous recommendations of a special seven-member county panel, which reviewed eight proposals to lease Morris View based on evaluation criteria approved by the State Comptrollers’ Office. Factors considered by the panel, included financial viability, staffing capabilities, operational practices, and quality control.

Allaire previously purchased and is successfully operating a former Monmouth County nursing facility, which had been owned and managed by county government.

It is important to note Morris County will continue to own Morris View and will closely monitor the quality of care offered by Allaire, or any other company that would lease the 283-bed nursing home and sub-acute rehabilitation facility located in Morris Township.

The MCIA in March issued a Request for Proposals for the potential leasing of Morris View. It sought proposals from experienced private health care organizations for the lease of the 211,277 square-foot facility, including the transfer of the 283-licensed long-term care beds, now held by the county, through the New Jersey Department of Health.

Eight firms responded to the RFP. For a complete list click here.

The Board of Freeholders, when authorizing the development of an RFP for the potential lease of Morris View in 2016, stressed that the county is retaining ownership of the facility and insisted on specific patient care requirements to maintain the high quality of care now offered to elderly and disabled residents living there.

To ensure the choice of a high quality private health care provider, the freeholders voted to employ the MCIA to handle the RFP process, which could give the county more flexibility in choosing the most qualified respondent, rather than be tied to the highest bidder.

The Freeholders approved the leasing option last year following an independent study of Morris View. The study by consultant Perselay Associates projected that the tax-supported subsidy to run Morris View would rise from some $7 million incurred in 2016 to $15.5 million annually by 2020.

The study found that a potential leasing option of Morris View to a private nursing home company could be a viable solution to respond to the projected financial issues that are likely to affect Morris View, while also maintaining the high quality of care offered at Morris View.
The information compiled by Perselay Associates supplements a 2015 report by done for the county by consultants Marcus and Millichap.

To view the Perselay report, click here.

To view the Marcus and Millichap report, click here.

Ribbon Cutting Opens the Wellness Path at Lakeland Hills YMCA

By

Frank L. Cahill

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May 23, 2017

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MOUNTAIN LAKES — Vik Joganow, CEO at Lakeland Hills Family YMCA cuts the ribbon that officially opens the Wellness Path at the back of the Y facility.

Thanks to the support of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, the funding collaborative of New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, the New Jersey Department of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Atlantic Health System, the Y was able to construct a Brazilian Teak boardwalk path for members and the community to utilize year round.

The path connects the woods behind the facility to the playing fields of Mountain Lakes High School.

Also in attendance from left to right, Chris Michael Kirk and Jessica Mulcahy from Atlantic Health, John Sheehan, Y Building & Grounds Supervisor, Anthony Shovlowsky, Y Fitness Director, Lauren Barnett, Deputy Mayor of Mountain Lakes, Beverly Cooper, Y Communications Director, and Y Board Vice President, Angelo Intile.

Parsippany Town Hall Council Regular Meeting 05/22/2017

By

Frank L. Cahill

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May 23, 2017

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Parsippany Resident Bob Venezia presented the following facts during the Council Meeting of Monday, May 22. Unfortunately due to time restraints imposed by Council President Louis Valori, limiting the public portion to three minutes, Mr. Venezia didn’t finish the entire presentation. Mr. Valori cut off Mr. Venezia after speaking for three minutes. Parsippany Focus is publishing his entire presentation.