PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has been informed from numerous sources at Town Hall that a number of high ranking township officials were served with subpoenas earlier this week.
Questions to Mayor James Barberio, Business Administrator Ellen Sandman, CFO Ann Cuccci regarding the nature of the subpoenas went unanswered.
Parsippany Focus requested copies of the subpoenas from Acting Township Clerk, Khaled Madin, under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) but as of 10:48 a.m. Thursday, June 2, Parsippany Focus only received a response that our request was received by the Clerk’s Office.
Council Vice President Robert Peluso said “I am shocked and deeply concerned to learn about this matter. This appears to be another example on how matters are not being handled properly by Mayor Barberio. Our taxpayers deserve transparency and we have the right to know what is happening. On the surface his actions will lead to more problems and cost our town more money in legal fees, especially when the Council is left in the dark about these matters.”
Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., stated “What subpoenas? and replied he knew nothing about anyone at Town Hall receiving a subpoena.”
Similar requests to Council President Louis Valori, Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani went unanswered.
As information becomes available, Parsippany Focus will update this breaking news story.
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 — Carl Gould is a business growth expert who advises organizations on how to get to the next level. On Tuesday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. Gould is giving an exclusive talk to New Jersey business owners on how to expand their establishments.
He is an entrepreneur who built three multi-million dollar businesses by age forty. His consulting firm has mentored the launch of over five thousand businesses in 35 countries, and his team of mentor coaches has conducted over 75,000 sessions with entrepreneurs and executives worldwide.
He has advised over 100 of the Inc. 500/5000 Fastest Growing Companies. In his new book Carl explains how business development is often done wrong, and shows business owners how to improve their business. No matter how many techniques entrepreneurs try, many still end up scratching your head – wondering if they got it right or just guessing.
In Biz Dev Done Right Carl shows how to avoid the wasted time, resources and capital that often accompanies failed sales efforts; how to approach the growth of an organization very strategically and methodically. He shows the secrets of successful business development learned, tested, and proven over the past three decades. Scaling business development efforts and consistently finding new sales revenue is the most difficult and frustrating task in business, bar none. Biz Dev Done Right reveals simple, actionable strategies and techniques, which will put you on the path to the cash. Including: the blind spots in the sales process that keep many from achieving the success they deserve, the nine steps to any sales funnel, and how to succeed with each step, the four buying styles, the difference between marketing and sales messages so they can create The Moment of Yes, the checklist for a Rock Star Seller, and the effective way to hire top sales talent, as well as how to fire strategically.
For the past two decades, Carl Gould has served as a coach and mentor to entrepreneurs around the world. An acclaimed author, speaker and advisor to some of the most influential organizations in the world (both small and large), Carl has recognized as the foremost authority on closing the gap between where you are now and where you ultimately wish to end up. His innovative and dynamic approach to business has created significant results for his client. Carl merges timeless principles of success with leading-edge technologies to accelerate achievement. His proven methodologies are both effective and fun! With 90 independently owned-and-operated offices worldwide, Carl has created the farthest-reaching business mentoring organization in the world. Carl and his team of mentor coaches have overseen the development of thousands of small businesses on six continents; and have conducted over 50,000 coaching sessions with entrepreneurs.
Carl Gould has spent the last eighteen years in the personal and professional development field. He has studied under masters in the field of personal and professional development. In 2002, Carl founded CMT International, the farthest reaching “Business Mentoring” organization in the world. Carl’s innovative approach to Business Mentoring and Business Coaching has received acclaim from both his clients and his peers. With more than 90 independently owned and operated offices worldwide, Carl Gould and his world-class teams of mentors and coaches have guided their clients to significant results using their proven methods. What’s more, they all have fun in the process! Carl created and perfected the 7-Stages program through his work with Adizes Methodology and thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Carl’s work with these companies inspired him to realize that there was a model for success, and so, the 7-Stages method was born.
Carl’s dynamic and engaging presentation style has made him one of the most sought after speakers in the world. Audiences will walk away from his presentations with the ability to align their corporate culture, uncover the hidden value of their business, build winning teams, and increase business profits with little or no additional cost.
Kafe Mozart is located at 2900 Route 10 West, Powder Mill Plaza West. Although reservations are not required, for reservations call (973) 998-7788.
Paul Carifi, Jr., Sheriff Candidate John Sierchio, Mayor James Barberio and Council President Louis Valori
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., unites to support John Sierchio for Sheriff.
“John Sierchio is exactly the what Parsippany needs as Sheriff. His vision on community outreach programs would benefit the residents of Parsippany greatly” said Mayor James Barberio.
“After spending over 25 years with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, I know first hand that John Sierchio is best person to continue the legacies of Sheriff John Fox and Sheriff Ed Rochford” said Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
“Sierchio’s leadership skills will certainly benefit the taxpayers of Morris County and the employees of the Sheriff’s Office,” continued Carifi.
Edward Rochford
Sheriff Edward Rochford said “Over the last two years, I have vetted out a number of candidates looking for who I believe to be best to run this agency in this new era of drugs, criminal activity and terrorism. I firmly believe with full confidence that John Sierchio is the best man for this job hands down. His experience in real law enforcement is by far superior than that of his opponents. Also, his experience in negotiating, having over a decade of experience negotiating from both sides of the table, will allow him to be effective, fair and reasonable. Adding to this his 37 years of volunteer public service, it is an example of his passion to serve; both of which qualities are absent in his opponents’ backgrounds. John’s work ethic and integrity is second to none. I can not say enough about John Sierchio and I hope that you continue to trust me and cast your vote on Tuesday, June 7 for John G. Sierchio.”
John Sierchio, a former Bloomfield police officer, is seeking the Republican nomination for Morris County sheriff, says that if elected, he’ll launch special efforts to combat heroin addiction and abuse of children and spouses.
“There probably isn’t a person who hasn’t been touched in some way or another by the explosion of opiate and heroin abuse in our communities,” Sierchio, of Boonton Township.
Sierchio retired as a police officer in 2014 after working in Essex County for 27 years.
Although the sheriff’s main responsibilities involve overseeing security at the county courthouse in Morristown and running day-to-day operations at the county jail, Sierchio said he intends to begin the two special efforts and also will institute a line-by-line auditing report of the sheriff’s budget to investigate areas to save taxpayer dollars.
As soon as he takes office, Sierchio said, he will appoint a committee made up of law enforcement officials, community leaders and former addicts that will have 100 days to come up with an education plan “to aggressively combat heroin addiction in Morris County.”
During his years as a police officer, Sierchio rose to the rank of detective sergeant. Sierchio worked as an Essex County police officer and an Essex County sheriff’s officer prior to serving for 22 years on the Bloomfield Police Department, where his duties included internal affairs.
Sierchio also served for 17 years as a PBA representative and 12 years as trustee on the state’s Police and Fireman’s Retirement System — five years as chairman.
John is married with four children and lives with his family in Boonton Township, where he has served as a Member of the Board of Education since 2008. John is a member of many organizations, including the New Jersey State PBA, the Italian American Police Society, and is a Life Member of the National Rife Association.
Joe Elefante and Patricia Durante co-star in "Marry Me a Little," which is at the Parsippany Playhouse in Lake Hiawatha through June 5
Joe Elefante and Patricia Durante co-star in “Marry Me a Little,” which is at the Parsippany Playhouse in Lake Hiawatha through June 5. The program for “Marry Me a Little,” which The Women’s Theater Company is currently presenting at the Parsippany Playhouse in Lake Hiawatha, calls it “A Musical by Stephen Sondheim.” More specifically, it’s a…
The Nissan Maxima taken away from the scene by Eagle Towing
PARSIPPANY — Ms. Sara Bakhtiar 20, Parsippany, was traveling south on Baldwin Road, crossing over Route 46 when Ms. Micoiela Braah, 20, Parsippany attempted to make a left turn from Baldwin Road onto Route 46 West striking Ms. Bakbitar’s 2004 NissanMaxima. This accident occurred on Friday, May 27 at 3:30 p.m.
The 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
Ms. Braah was at fault for failure to yield to the right away of Ms. Bakhtiar’s vehicle. Ms. Braah was driving a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta.
Both drivers were taken to St. Clare’s Hospital, Denville, by Parsippany Emergency Medical Services.
At the time of the incident there were no summons issued.
Parsippany Police Officer Jeffrey Williams investigated the accident. Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
Officers and employees of Eagle Towing cleaning up debris from the accidentThe vehicle sustained heavy front end damage
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department would like to welcome students ages 14 to 20 to attend an open house for their new Exploring program.
Mayor James Barberio is proud to announce an exciting opportunity for Parsippany residents age 14 – 20 and their parents to learn about Parsippany’s upcoming Police Explorer program. As previously announced, the Explorer program gives young adults an opportunity to “explore” a possible career in law enforcement by working and training with members of the Parsippany police force. The program emphasizes academics, character development and self-discipline as well as encouragement to give back to the community.
Join members of the Parsippany police department on Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard in the Council Chambers.
The open house is a great opportunity for anyone wishing to join or learn more about the program. Refreshments will be served. Those interested should attend with a parent or guardian. Those attending should RSVP by June 7th at tinyurl.com/ParPoliceEx.
Law Enforcement Exploring exposes its members to various areas of the law enforcement field as well as community service details. Explorers learn and train in a para military setting with a post structure similar to a police department.
Explorers receive classroom instruction and hands-on training from law enforcement officers who are dedicated to working with young people. In addition, the officers arrange activities and trips, bring in guest speakers and act as positive role models, providing career counseling and mentoring.
About Exploring
Exploring is a worksite-based program of Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America, for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years old (15 through 21 in some areas). Exploring units, called “posts”, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as police, fire/rescue, emergency medical services, healthcare, law, aviation, engineering, or the like, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity.
PARSIPPANY — Audra Crane, 7, was upset by the amount of garbage she saw when walking to and from Intervale School so she invited friends and neighbors to help clean up the woods.
She wanted to clean up so “the plants and animals can survive in their own habitat.”
The children collected twelve bags of garbage, separating recyclables for trash.
Pictured from left to right are Frank Novitskie, Jillian Crane, Noelle Crane, Logan Herzog, Sophia Novitskie, Amelia McIntosh, Emerson Arnold, Abby Herzog, Charlie McIntosh, Audra Crane and Riley Arnold.
Manor Park is located on Bell Road off Parsippany Boulevard. It contains a softball field, two basketball courts, a children’s play area and a walking path.
PARSIPPANY — Predictions of heavy rain forced several Morris County towns to postpone their Memorial Day parades, but not Parsippany. In previous years, Former Mayor Mimi Letts always said “The vets marched in the war, so we can march in the rain.”
The parade in Parsippany and Morris Township-Morristown, however, marched as expected, while several towns, like Hanover, moved formal Memorial Day ceremonies and observances indoors, while others just postponed their festivities. Parades were cancelled or postponed on Monday in Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Hanover and Roxbury.
Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps said township officials were monitoring the forecast Sunday night into Monday morning. They ultimately made the call to march the township’s parade, as planned.
The large crowd gathered at the corner of Littleton and Rita Drive being entertained by jugglers and other street performers until the parade arrived, led by the Parsippany Hills High School Marching Band.
Parsippany’s Dr. Philip Santiago emceed the parade which began at Sylvan Way and Littleton Road and made its way up to the bandstand at the corner of Littleton Road and Rita Drive, where Mayor James Barberio and Council President Louis Valori, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Councilmen Michael dePierro and Paul Carifi, Jr., and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani waited. Also present were Freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo and Douglas Cabana.
Memorial Day Parade
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Dr. Phil Santiago was the emcee of the Memorial Day Parade
Parsippany Hills Marching Band
Parsippany Hills Marching Band
Former Mayor Mimi Letts and Alicia Bozza
Hudson Franco Catanzaro enjoying the parade
Joseph P Plescia, Superintendent: Recreation Department
Terry Checke and Mayor James Barberio
Ildiko Peluso, Council Vice President Robert Peluso and Robert Jr.
Council President Louis Valori and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
Council President Louis Valori and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani
Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi
Freeholder John Cesaro
Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo
Woman's Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills
Morris County Police Pipes and Drums
Joe Puzo, Morris County Police Pipes and Drums
Knights of Columbus, Parsippany Council 3680
Kiwanis K-Kids
Kiwanis Touch-A-Truck
Kiwanis Touch-A-Truck
Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 3
Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 3
Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 3
Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association
Stanley Bielinski and AbbyGrace
Lake Parsippany's Pirate Swim Team
Lake Parsippany's Dragon Boats
Troop 5610
Troop 6052
Nortvail Daisies
Northvail Brownie Troop 96253
Troop 5609
Troop 65017
Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Clowns from Funny Factory
Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 6
Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 6
Rory O'Moore School of Piping and Drumming
James Clark, Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire District 2
Parsippany High School Marching Band
Parsippany High School Marching Band
Parsippany High School Marching Band
Parsippany High School Marching Band
Boy Scout Troop 72
Cub Scout Pack 215
Cub Scout Pack 218
Boy Scout Troop 177
Cub Scout Troop 142, Glacier Hills Association
Parsippany Express
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Lieutenant Andy Zaharopoulos Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Paul Anderson, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 5
Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 5
Andres Felipe Giraldo, Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 5 member
Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 5
Adam Campbell, Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 5 member
Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire District 1
Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire District 1
Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire District 1
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 4
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 4
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 4
The entertanment
Former Mayor Mimi Letts and Howard Letts
Community Emergency Response Team
Eric Hubner, coordinator of Parsippany's Office of Emergency Management
Lonnie Koch, OEM
First Panamanian Drum & Bugle Corps
Annelise Catanzaro and Hudson Franco
First Panamanian Drum & Bugle Corps
Morris County Sheriff Candidate John Sierchio, Jiggar Shah and Nicolas Limanov
Former Mayor Mimi Letts, Dr. Phil Santiago and Ildiko Peluso
Dr. Phil Santiago and Morris County Sheriff Candidate John Sierchio
Morris County Sheriff Candidate John Sierchio and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
Robert Peluso, Jr. and Nicolas Limanov
Robert Peluso, Jiggar Shah, Paul Carifi, Morris County Sheriff Candidate John Sierchio and Mayor James Barberio
PARSIPPANY — New Horizons Band of Morris County on Wednesday, June 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Women’s Theater at The Parsippany Community Center.
The New Horizons Band of Morris County is a 30-piece concert band comprised of people over the age of fifty.
The Band offers seniors an opportunity to play in a warm, fun and supportive environment. Playing with New Horizons is truly a transforming experience, enabling new friendships, mutual support and team work.
Participating in New Horizons becomes an important part of the daily lives of its members. Although many members are still employed for those retired, the band restores the intellectual stimulation and opportunity that had previously been provided by the workplace. Many played in school, then stashed their instrument in the closet while the demands of work and family took center stage.
PARSIPPANY — On the day when America pauses to honor those who paid the price for our freedom, the focus at Veterans Memorial Park was on the families they left behind. Special guest and keynote speaker was Cheryl Doltz, Gold Star Mother of Iraq War hero, Ryan Doltz.
Parsippany-Troy Hills held its annual Memorial Day Remembrance at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, May 30.
Although Memorial Day is a chance to remember those who have passed away, it is also a chance for a lot of the veterans in the crowd to come together and share stories.
This year the event was emceed by VFW & American Legion member, Councilman Michael dePierro.
Reverend Bragg of Parsippany Presbyterian Church performed the Invocation and Benediction; the Boy & Girl Scouts lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance; Emma Steere, Senior Girl Scout, recited the American Creed; the Honorable James R. Barberio, Mayor of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills welcomed everyone.
As customary, members of the VFW and American Legion, performed the wreath laying ceremony in front of the Veterans Memorial statue; the VFW Rifle Squad performed the salute and Taps was played by Anthony Paterno, Brooklawn Middle School Eighth Grade Band.
Michelle Musolino-Roberts sang the “National Anthem” and “Amazing Grace” The VFW and American Legion color guards participate in they ceremony.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May.
The Invocation and Benediction by Rev. Donald A. Bragg
The National Anthem was sung by Michelle Musolino-Roberts
Pledge of Allegiance by the Boy and Girls Scouts of America
The American Creed by Senior Girl Scout Emma Steere
Welcome by Mayor James Barberio
Taps – History and Protocol by Matt Adamczyk – American Legion Post 249
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills held an annual Memorial Day ceremony today at 9:00 a.m. in Lake Hiawatha Park. The ceremony on Lake Shore Drive was held by the VFW in honor of the two servicemen who lost their lives in Viet Nam. The two servicemen are CWO John Peter Koob, United States Army, and PFC Donald Lee Wickline, Jr., United States Army.
Chief Warrant Officer John Peter Koob was part of the 295TH ORD CO, ARMY SPT CMD DANANG, 1ST LOG CMD, USARV, Army of the United States. He was born on March 30, 1931 and killed in action on December 17, 1968. He started his tour of duty on September 25, 1968 and was 37 at the time of his death. His death occurred in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam.
Private First Class Donald Lee Wickline, Jr., was part of the C CO, 1ST BN, 502ND INFANTRY, 101ST ABN DIV, USARV, Army of the United States. He was born on June 6, 1946 and was killed in action on June 15, 1969. He started his tour of duty on March 31, 1969 and was 23 at the time of his death. His death occurred in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.
PARSIPPANY — Jordan Valori was commissioned as Second Lieutenant In the United States Army. She will be serving in the Nursing Corp. She graduated from the University of Scranton. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Her sister Amanda Valori Trainor is a Captain in the United States Air Force as a Civil Engineer. She is currently assigned to an Expeditionary Unit at McGuire Air Force Base. Amanda’s unit is the 321st Contingency Response Group
They are both graduates of Parsippany Hills High School.
Employees of Western Pest Control join in with Karen DeChristopher accepting the donation from Kafe Mozart. Western Pest is a major sponsor of this years Relay for Life to be held at County College of Morris
PARSIPPANY — Through Kafe Mozart’s “Dine for Dollars” program they were able to make a donation to American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
Karen DeChristopher’s team “Angels for Hope” recently participated in a fundraising event at Kafe Mozart, 2900 Route 10 West, Parsippany. This year the employees of Western Pest will be joining Karen’s team. Western Pest is also a major sponsor of this year’s event.
The group distributed flyers to friends, family and team members and when presented at Kafe Mozart the group received 10% of the proceeds.
Karen DeChristopher said “My reason for participating in my Relay For Life event is personal. We all participate in Relay events because we’ve been affected by cancer in some way and because a Relay For Life event gives us the power to make a difference and fight back. This is my opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember people we have lost, and help raise funds for groundbreaking research, information and services for people fighting cancer.”
Rely for Life Central Morris County will be held at County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph starting at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4 and will end at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 5.
For more information on Relay for Life, click here.
At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. The funds raised truly make a difference in the fight against cancer just ask one of the nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another birthday this year!
Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Events are up to 24 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.
PARSIPPANY — Boulevard Plaza in Parsippany has traded hands in a competitively bid sale orchestrated by Cushman & Wakefield’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group. A private investor purchased the 86,000-square-foot, five-story office building located at 1055 Parsippany Boulevard from its owner of more than 25 years.
Boulevard Plaza is currently 85 percent leased to 33 tenants. The building offers affordable space with the advantage of 24-hour access and a grab & go café on site. “With 15,000-square-foot floor plates, this asset is very well sized for the immediate market,” noted Cushman & Wakefield’s David Bernhaut, who handled the sale with team members Andrew Merin, Gary Gabriel, Brian Whitmer, Andrew Schwartz and Frank DiTommaso. “Boulevard Plaza caters specifically to smaller users, and its flexible floor plans easily divide as small as 1,000 square feet. In turn, its extensive and diverse tenant roster minimizes rollover risk”, said DiTommaso.
The property is located along Route 46 at the intersection of I-80 and I-287, two of Northern New Jersey’s major commuter roadways. Visible from I-287, Boulevard Plaza also provides immediate access onto Routes 202 and 10. This highlyamenitizedandaccessible location provides excellent proximity to local hotels, retail shopping, and quality residential areas.
“Parsippany, and the larger Morris County market, is recognized as a premier location for business and known for its affluence, diversified housing and deep labor pool,” Schwartz said. “The opportunity to purchase a quality, value-add office building with excellent historical occupancy levels attracted significant investor interest.”
Based in East Rutherford, Cushman & Wakefield’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group specializes exclusively in investment sales of office, industrial, multifamily and retail properties throughout New Jersey, New York, Fairfield County, Conn., Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The team has completed $21.7 billion worth of transactions since 2000, closing on $2.0 billion in 2015.
Jean Marsicovete with PHS Marching Band Director Greg Dalakian
PARSIPPANY — Jean Marie Marsicovete, Lake Hiawatha, was among more than 1,650 students have been named to the Spring 2016 Dean’s List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for Dean’s List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60. Marsicovete is a graduate of Parsippany High School
Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia. As the region’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery.
KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery. For more information, click here.
RANDOLPH — County College of Morris (CCM) presented diplomas to the Class of 2016 during its 47th commencement ceremony.
Dr. Edward J. Yaw sings with the County College of Morris (CCM) Chamber Choir during the college’s 47th Commencement Ceremony, the last one he has presided over after serving as CCM’s second president for 30 years. He will be retiring at the end of August
Approximately 1,400 students – many who are transferring to top four-year institutions to earn their bachelor’s degrees – were eligible to receive diplomas in one of four degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science. The five most popular programs CCM students received degrees in are Business Administration, Humanities Social Science (Liberal Arts), Nursing, Criminal Justice and Biology. The graduates completed their studies between August 2015 and May 2016. More than 400 students from the Class of 2016 took part in this year’s commencement ceremony.
Included among the top schools across the country that CCM graduates are transferring to are Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Pace University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Savannah College of Art and Design, Syracuse University, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, along with New Jersey’s leading colleges and universities.
More than 400 graduates from the Class of 2016 at County College of Morris participated in the college’s 47th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 27Dr. Edward J. Yaw, who will be retiring at the end of August, gave his final CCM commencement address. Holding to college tradition, he used that opportunity to highlight several outstanding graduates and the diversity of the CCM student body.
In an effort to advance world peace and human understanding, CCM also recognized the winner of its Peace Prize at the ceremony. The winner of the 2016 CCM Peace Prize is Mirella Quintana, of Dover, for her video “Unity and Laughter Through Peace.” Her faculty mentor was Susan Miller, assistant chair and assistant professor of the Business Administration Program at CCM.
The winning project each year receives a $1,000 award, provided by the CCM Foundation. Quintana also will have her name added to a permanent plaque of Peace Prize winners located in the Student Community Center.
This is the 14th year the college has awarded its Peace Prize, which is organized and administered by Professor Peter Maguire of the Department of English and Philosophy. Established in the fall of 2001, the Peace Prize competition provides students with the opportunity to apply their imagination and creativity to the design and production of a work that both commemorates the events of September 11, 2001 and makes a positive statement about the importance and pursuit of world peace.
The CCM Alex DeCroce Media Center streamed the commencement ceremony live on the college’s YouTube channel at http://tinyurl.com/gufwu8x making it available for viewing from computers, smartphones and tablets. That video can still be viewed on YouTube for those who were unable to watch it live.
Casey Cogan and Sachi Walmiki advertising the car wash
PARSIPPANY — Members of the Parsippany High School Bands were washing cars recently to raise money for their group.
The band won the State Championships last year, the Group IV 2015 National Championship earlier this month, and the U.S. Marines’ Esprit de Corps Award.
PHS Bands Car Wash
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Brielle Wyka washing cars
Noah Lustig washing off the car
Kyle Contaldi washing cars
Victoria Dobkowski washing cars
Board of Education Member Tim Berrios
Casey Cogan and Sachi Walmiki advertising the car wash
The Parsippany High School Marching Band will be performing on Monday, May 30 during Parsippany’s Memorial Day Parade.
Deputy Chief Arseneault is the third woman from the left accepting her award
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that on Thursday May 26, Deputy Chief of Investigations Denise H. Arseneault was honored by New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement with the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award.
New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement was founded in 2004 by a group of dynamic female law enforcement executives representing federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. They are a professional organization of both men and women who work together to strengthen public recognition of the unique contributions women have made to the profession of law enforcement. The annual awards ceremony was held at the Rutgers University Douglass Student Center in New Brunswick.
Deputy Chief Arseneault began her law enforcement career in 1988 serving as a Special Investigator for the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General.
In 1992, she joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a detective. During her tenure with this office, Deputy Chief Arseneault was assigned to numerous capacities at various levels within the organization. As a detective she served in the General Investigations Unit, Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit, Domestic Violence Unit and on Trial Team 1. In 2001 she was promoted to Detective/Supervisor of Trial Team 1 before returning to the Domestic Violence Unit as a supervisor in 2002.
She was subsequently promoted to Sergeant that same year. As a Sergeant, Deputy Chief Arseneault supervised the Domestic Violence Unit then the General Investigations Unit. In 2004 she was promoted to the position of Lieutenant where she led the General Investigations Unit, Computer Crime Unit, the Family Division, the Megan’s Law Unit and the Specialized Services Unit.
After serving nine years as a Lieutenant, Deputy Chief Arseneault was promoted to the position of Captain in 2013. As a Captain, she led the Specialized Crimes Division consisting of the Professional Standards Unit, Financial Crimes Unit, Bias Crimes Unit, Juvenile/Missing Persons Unit, Weapon Return Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, and Community Affairs Unit. In recognition of her unwavering leadership, numerous accomplishments and her vast amount of knowledge, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of Investigations of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on February 2, 2015. Deputy Chief Denise Arseneault is now second in command of all law enforcement personnel serving in the organization.
Prosecutor Knapp said “Deputy Chief Arseneault is a source of leadership, inspiration, stability and integrity. We are fortunate to work with someone of such high caliber. Her dedication to the law enforcement profession and contributions made to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office cannot be overstated. Deputy Chief Arseneault’s career accomplishments is clear evidence that she is most deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award”.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department has been getting a large amount of calls regarding someone calling and claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This phone call is a scam. Please read below for more information on this scam and other similar ones.
IRS, Immigration, and other Government Organization Scams
If you receive a phone call that claims to be from the IRS, Immigration, or other Government Organizations which threaten you with immediate arrest or the issuance of a warrant unless you wire them money it is a scam. Even if the caller ID shows a legitimate government organization it can be a scam because modern technology lets criminals spoof, which means fake the name and number, which makes them appear legitimate. They may tell you that you owe various amounts in back taxes. They may threaten to deport you, which will not happen.
They may also claim that your identity was stolen and you need to pay a certain amount of money to redo your immigration paperwork, usually a few hundred, to a few thousand dollars. Whenever you get this type of call and you think it may me legitimate please search the internet for the phone number to the supposed agency that is calling you and call it back to inquire about the legitimacy.
Do not believe the number they are giving you to call back. You can also try doing a search of the phone number they are calling from on the internet and see if it is associated to scams. This method is not fool proof since they can fake the legitimate number to come up on caller ID as I said earlier. Never give personal information to anyone even if they request it. Never wire money, purchase visa gift cards, or money cards like Green Dot and give them the information. Once they have the wire information, gift card numbers, or Green Dot information they will get the money and you will not get it back.
Laws have changed that let the IRS call for outstanding taxes, but this has not started yet. The IRS will first send you notifications via mail. There is currently an effort underway to stop the IRS from being able to call you or have a collection agency call you to collect owed taxes. If and when that does pass we will update the public.
If you simply get the phone call, but do not send them any money you can report the phone call with the FTC at the below website.
If you are a victim of the scam AND send them money please call the Parsippany Police Departments non emergency phone number at (973) 263-4300.
MADISON — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Darren P. Dachisen of the Borough of Madison Police Department announce that Chad Rybka, 33, of Bernards Township, pled guilty today to one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child – Possession of Child Pornography, a crime of the third degree.
On February 23, 2016, law enforcement officers in the Brunswick Division of Police, Brunswick, Ohio, learned that a 17-year old girl was using a Twitter account to communicate with an adult male and that she sent nude images of herself to the male at his request.
The investigation determined that the adult male in question was Chad Rybka, and that he had been communicating with the 17-year old girl over a period of approximately four to six months on Twitter’s “messenger” application.
The Brunswick Division of Police reported the matter to the Madison Police Department, who immediately advised the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. A subsequent investigation led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit determined that Rybka was in possession of a number of nude images of the victim.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Rybka resigned employment as a Madison Borough Police Officer and is also required to forfeit future public employment.
At the time of his resignation, Rybka had been employed as a police officer with the Department since August 2007.
Chief Darren Dachisen of the Borough of Madison Police Department stated: “The Madison Police Department immediately contacted the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and cooperated fully in their investigation upon learning of Officer Rybka’s misconduct. The Madison Police Department also immediately suspended Officer Rybka and has accepted his resignation of employment effective immediately. The Madison Police Department has been proudly serving the Borough of Madison since 1890 and has zero tolerance for any police officer misconduct that adversely effects the Borough’s reputation or the integrity of the Police Department.” Chief Dachisen added that “The actions of one individual does not define our agency and the outstanding work my officers do on a daily basis.”
The Honorable Thomas J. Critchley, J.S.C., presided over the plea.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Borough of Madison Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, High Tech Crimes Unit, and Professional Standards Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Section, and the Brunswick (Ohio) Division of Police, whose combined efforts contributed to the investigation and resolution of this matter.