Dr. Seitz appointed Interim Superintendent of Parsippany Schools
![seitz](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2013/02/seitz.jpg?resize=282%2C253&ssl=1)
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education appointed Dr. LeRoy Seitz as interim superintendent.
Seitz was appointed effective December 1 through June 30, 2016, or sooner pending release from his current contract, at the rate of $682.00 per day, subject to the terms and conditions of his contract. (Click here to view contract).
Upon approving Dr. Seitz’s contract, the crowd full of teachers and parents, cheered loudly. Seitz is replacing Former Superintendent Scott Rixford, who took a 30-day medical leave of absence on September 4. Dr. Nancy Gigante has been acting Superintendent.
At the Board of Education meeting held on Thursday, September 24, 2015, the members of the Board of Education passed a resolution accepting the resignation of Scott Rixford, effective January 26, 2016. The resolution states that it “Further approves the related agreement with Mr. Rixford in accordance with the terms and conditions therein, which the Board President is authorized on behalf of the Board.”
Board President Fran Orthwein stated “The Board of Education welcomes Dr. Seitz back to Parsippany. Dr. Seitz brings many years of experience as a Superintendent and proven leadership to our District. We look forward to working with him to serve the children of Parsippany.”
“I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Seitz while I was on the Board of Education he is an exceptional Superintendent. I’m very confident that he will get the school district back on track to perform at the highest academic standards. I welcome him back and wish him the best, said Dr. Louis Valori, Councilman and former Board of Education member.
“I am happy see the Dr. Seitz will be returning to the Parsippany School District. Dr. Seitz did a lot for the district until he was pushed out the door by Christie’s Salary Cap requirements. Back in 2010, The Board of Education realized that Dr. Seitz was a huge asset to the Parsippany School District and at the time, did what was in the best interest of the town. Unfortunately, that decision created a great deal of controversy and he retired Since his departure, the district has not been able to secure a quality leader. Regrettably, at the time I can say I was happy to see Dr. Seitz leave. However, when the district began to fall apart, I realized I was wrong and the board of education members at the time knew that good leaders were hard to come by. If one were to look at what we would have paid Dr. Seitz with his new contract verses what the District has paid Mr. Rixford and his expanded executive staff that he created to ease his workload, I can only assume that the district would have saved a lot of money if Dr. Seitz remained in the district. Hopefully Dr. Seitz can restore order and rebuild the bridges between the teachers and the administration that have seemed to deteriorate in the past year and a half. I wish him the best of luck and I am confident that he is the right person who can restore order in the district,” stated Andy Sadowski, a parent of student at Intervale School.
Seitz, who was originally hired by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education in 2006, received statewide attention in November 2010 after Governor Chris Christie introduced a pay cap for superintendents as part of a campaign to reduce state and school districts’ costs. During a town hall meeting, Christie dubbed Seitz “the poster boy for greed“ after learning the Parsippany school board had negotiated and approved a contract for the superintendent that exceeded the pay cap, which was not yet in effect.
Seitz’s base salary was $192,000 in 2006, which later ballooned up to $212,000 by the 2010-2011 school year.
Christie threatened to withhold up to $3.6 million in state aid payments to Parsippany-Troy Hills School District if the board refused to reduce Seitz’s salary.
The board eventually relented, cutting Seitz’s salary from $212,000 to then then-cap of $175,000. Seitz in 2013 requested an administrative hearing on the move and, later that year, an Administrative Law Judge dismissed his appeal, ruling that he had to repay the district $17,597 in overpayments.
At that time, Board member Anthony Mancuso said Seitz has been “an outstanding leader and superintendent.”
Dr. Seitz ended his controversial tenure as superintendent of the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District as of May 15, 2013.
Seitz then took over the helm of Franklin Board of Education, as Interim Superintendent, on March 29, 2014. Seitz was also making $682.00 per day.
Morris County Vo-Tech speaks at Parsippany Kiwanis
PARSIPPANY — Gina Di Domenico from Morris County Vocational School was a guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany on Thursday, November 12.
The Morris County School of Technology is a vocational magnet public high school located in Denville Township, operating as part of the Morris County Vocational School District.
Morris County Vocational School is located at 400 East Main Street, Denville.
Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service-minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others.
Any community need can become a Kiwanis service project, especially the needs of children. Kiwanis service projects range from efforts that help local communities to Kiwanis International’s Worldwide Service Project for the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.
Kiwanis members dedicate more than 6 million volunteer hours and invest more than $100 million in service projects that strengthen communities and serve children every year.
At the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, they want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.
For more information Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.
Kali Cipkins and Shannon Murphy organized a donation campaign
PARSIPPANY — Kali Cipkins and Shannon Murphy, from Girl Scout Troop 1635, organized a donation campaign for the Parsippany Animal Shelter to earn their Girl Scout Silver Award. The requirements to garner this honor were: identify and issue you care about, build your team, explore your community, chose your project, develop your project and then implement it.
The girls created a list of items that the shelter needs on a daily basis such as food, cleaning supplies, pet toys and pet carriers. They canvassed their respective neighborhoods, Intervale Heights and Rainbow Lakes, dropping off suggested items with donation bags which they collected several days later and then personally delivered.
In addition, they manned a booth at the PetSmart at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall where they collected additional items. In total they collected over a year’s worth of supplies for the Parsippany Animal Shelter.
“We spent a lot of time deciding on a project that we both felt strongly about. We both love animals, big and small, and they require not only care and attention but many supplies,” states Kali Cipkins and Shannon Murphy. “The support and generosity from the community was incredible. It an experience we will never forget.”
Photo credit Len Cipkins
George T. Hanley Esq. received Person of the Year Award
PARSIPPANY — George T. Hanley Esq., a partner in the firm of Weiner Lesniak, received the Annual Person of the Year Award from the New Jersey Bar Association’s Military Law Section at their annual Military Law Symposium.
The award was presented by Colonel Sanford Rader, Esq., to George T. Hanley Esq. for his work as Founder and Chair of Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey, a non-profit formed to assist Veterans of all eras with respect to the many obstacles and issues they face, including employment, legal, social, family, economic and others – in transitioning back to civilian society, and as many continue to serve actively or remain on call or have suffered injury and deprivation as a result of such service.
Weiner Lesniak is located at 629 Parsippany Road.
Assault outside of Towne Tavern; Three suspects fled scene
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Headquarters was advised by Morristown Police Department that a male at the Morristown Medical Center was being treated for a puncture wound to his lip which occurred during an assault outside of the Mount Holleran Towne Tavern.
Patrol Sgt. R Cooper, R. Carrozzino along with Patrol Officer C. Silva and C. DeLoatch responded to Mount Holleran Towne Tavern, 450 North Beverwyck Road to investigate the incident at 2:22 a.m. on Sunday, November 8.
After speaking to the victim and witnesses it was determined that the victim had a verbal altercation with 4-5 unknown actors at the Towne Tavern.
The verbal altercation turned physical outside of the Towne Tavern at which time one of the unknown actors punctured the victims lip with a box cutter type knife.
The victim also received bruising and abrasions to his face during the assault.
The victim was able to describe three of the unknown suspects:
Suspect #1 was described as a white male 5’06-5’07, bald, stocky build, clean shaven, and wearing a pink shirt.
Suspect #2 was described as a white male 5’05-5’06, brown hair, stocky build, clean shaven, and wearing a blue sweater.
Suspect #3 was described as a white male, 5’11-6’00, unshaven face, and wearing a backwards hat.
Morris County Sheriff’s Office CID responded and processed the scene.
This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4313.
Statement of Pride Outlawed in Parsippany Schools
PARSIPPANY — “Pride in Parsippany”, boasts the great township sign at the intersection of Route 46 and Vail Road.
The teachers of Parsippany’s public school children however, are not to be afforded the opportunity to exhibit that pride according to an edict issued by the school district’s chief administrator.
Teachers have been ordered to remove a simple black and white sign that says only “I am Proud to be a Teacher” in plain block letters, followed by a smaller tag line, “Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association”.
The message, uniformly printed on standard white printer paper, had been posted on classroom doors in all district school buildings for several weeks before acting superintendent Nancy Gigante issued a directive that they be taken down. Gigante cited Board of Education policy forbidding political actions or statements on building premises as the reason for ordering the removal of the signs.
“We view this statement as a positive message to both students and parents”, said Joe Kyle, PTHEA president. “We have always been proud of our role as teacher, coach, counselor and guide to the children of Parsippany, and we never intended for the sign to be anything other than a declaration of that pride.”
Kyle went on to say that the PTHEA would be challenging the validity of Gigante’s interpretation of the Board policy in question. “Our members were proud to go out of our way to willingly bail out the Board after the recent Middle School disaster, and so we are astounded that a printed declaration of that pride is deemed a political action statement”. PTHEA members worked diligently to restore a workable schedule in both Central and Brooklawn Middle Schools, going above and beyond their contracted duties.
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Indian-American Seniors Association held Annual Diwali Function
PARSIPPANY — The Indian-American Seniors Association of Morris County held their Annual Diwali Function at Parsippany Hills High School on Saturday, November 7.
Master Event Sponsors were Parsippany Pharmacy and Param Adult Day Care.
The event featured “Live in Concert by Lalitya Munshaw.
The Indian American Seniors Association of Morris County (IASA of Morris County) was formed by Mr. Rajni Patel and late Shri Shashikant Bhai in 2013. They are located at 43 Warren Drive.
Their organization is the bigger senior’s family. The goals are to meet your required information for health, immigration, citizenship, social welfare etc. Not only that, social activities, cultural programs, temple visits, foreign and local tours etc. are equally important.
The staff consists of Rajnikant Patel, President; Arun Yagnik, Sr. Vice President; Manubhai N. Patel, Vice President; Naresh Chinai, Secretary; Ambalal H. Patel, Joint Secretary; Ambalal K. Patel, Treasurer; Bhupendra Parikh, Joint Treasurer; Jayendra Patel, Executive Committee Member; Pravin Sutaria, Member and Vishnu Patel, Event Manager.
For more information, click here.
Lalitya Munshaw was born to connoisseur parents with strong values and ethics embedded deep in her family.
Education has played an essential role in building her personality, in making her the person who she is today.
Lalitya joined the C.N. Vidyavihar from ninth standard where she got the opportunity to grow and flourish.
She was elected as the President of the Students Council, and it was truly a great experience as it gave her a new challenge to discover entirely new aspects of herself which were responsibility and leadership. Lalitya’s hard work was rewarded when she topped the 12th standard Gujarat state board exams and later she did her Bachelors and Master in English Literature from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad. She concurrently pursued Master in Hindustani Classical Music from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.
She always took pride in participating and excelling and all extracurricular cultural activities held in her school and participated in various national as well as international student exchange programs, where she would not just learn about different cultures of the world, but also got a chance to see the world with a different perspective.
For more information on Lalitya, click here.
Applebee’s invited vets and active duty military to come have a free meal
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Applebee’s invited vets and active duty military to come have a free meal on Veterans Day, November 11.
Every Veterans Day, Applebee’s invites vets and active duty military to come have a meal on Applebee’s. It’s their way of saying thanks for their service. But, really, every day is an opportunity to say thank you. So, join Applebee’s in our Thank You Movement to personally show your gratitude for those who have served, or are currently serving, in our military.
Applebee’s serves their free meals on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, from when they open to when they close.
Parsippany honors those who served on Veterans Day
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany’s American Legion Posts 249 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10184 held their annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11 (eleventh month, eleventh day, eleventh hour) at Veterans Memorial Park, Parsippany. Bruce Michels, Commander of Post 249, led the ceremony.
The Presentation of the Colors by the Brooklawn Middle School 8th Grade Concert Band, led by Mr. Joshua Jenkins performed “Fairest of the Fair,” during the opening of the Veterans Day ceremony held at Veterans Memorial Park, Route 46, followed by the Invocation by Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer, from Saint Peter the Apostle Church.
The ceremony was presented by American Legion Post 249 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10184.
The National Anthem was performed by Mrs. Michelle Musolino-Roberts and the Brooklawn Middle School 8th Grade Concert Band, led by Mr. Joshua Jenkins.
The Honorable James R. Barberio, Mayor Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills welcomed the guests, said a few words to recognize the importance of this day and extended gratitude to all veterans. Honored guest was Mr. Harry Ettlinger, Educator, Advocate and Famous Monuments Men Member.
The Meaning of Veterans Day was explained by Bill DeGrosky, Past State Chaplain.
Business Administrator Ellen Sandman, CFO Ann Cucci and Jenna Collins performed an Andrew Sisters Medley.
The Veterans Day Poem, written by Cheryl Dyson was read by Eileen M. White, Daughters of American Revolution. “America” was performed by Troy Hills Elementary School third graders.
“A Patriotic Festival was performed by Brooklawn Middle School 8th Grade Concert Band, lead by Mr. Joseph Stella, Band Director. Prayer of Remembrance was by Rabbi Lubin, Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah.
Laying of the Wreaths was by Mr. Bernard McElwee, Commander VFW Post 10184 with honored Veterans Joe Minsavage, American Legion Post 249, Gary Erdman, VFW Post 10184 and Harry L. Ettliner, Monuments Men. Taps were presented by Anthony Paterno, Brooklawn Middle School 8th Grade Student and Mr. Joseph Stella, Band Director. “God Bless The USA” was performed by Third Graders at All Saints Academy, and led by Mrs. Lisa Gomez. Michelle Musolino-Roberts sang “God Bless America.”
The Benediction was by Rev. Dr. Stacie Turk, First Baptist Community Church. Commander, American Legion Post 249 Bruce Michels concluded the service.
Even though there are special days during the year that commemorate these brave men and women, most other times people don’t give much thought to the sacrifices and dangers that are faced by our troops on a daily basis.
We, as Americans, should always remember that freedom does not come free and that when our liberty is at stake there are brave men and women at the front lines defending our inalienable rights that our forefathers fought so valiantly for.
We all need to love our country and live with pride and always remember that without our veterans our country would not be the great nation it is today. Everyday is a day of remembrance; and should you see a soldier in uniform or a veteran, take the time to tell them thanks for their service, it’s the least we can do.
Veterans Memorial Park is located at intersection of Route 46 and Vail Road.
Parsippany Council inks deal with Waterview Developer; Whole Foods coming to town
PARSIPPANY — After years of hearings, votes, and heated negotiations, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to permit a 151,000 square foot shopping center, including a Whole Foods Market on the last vacant lot in the Waterview Office Complex off of Route 46.
![Barberio said the urgency of the decision was affected by recent negotiations in which representatives of Whole Foods took part. Those representatives said if the retail development was not approved, they would instead look to occupy the 64,209 square feet Parsippany Pathmark, which is slated to close before Thanksgiving](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2015/11/IMG_2203-300x200.jpg?resize=696%2C464&ssl=1)
In addition to the nearly 49,000 square foot Whole Foods, the agreement will permit RD Realty, the contract purchaser of the Waterview site, to build a maximum of five buildings, consisting of two partially attached structures and one pad site, which will be a bank.
The rear and western side of the property which totals 10.63 acres will be sold to the Township for $3.5 million. Parsippany will use funds from its Open Space Trust Account to make the purchase. The area of land the Township will purchase will forever be deed restricted from ever being developed.
“I have fought against that area being developed right from the beginning,” said Council President Paul Carifi Jr., who voted down the proposal in 2013. “Do I like our options? No. I don’t like this being forced down our throat, kind-of. But in talking to a lot of residents in town, if you had the option A or B, which way would you rather go, I don’t think anyone wants 500-plus, 450-minimum, possibly up to 660 apartments, and the strain that would put on our town.”
![Township Planner Edward Snieckus, who presented drawn plans for both the retail and housing propoals, noted that the housing could result in a net annual loss of more than $1 million to taxpayers](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2015/11/IMG_2214-300x200.jpg?resize=696%2C464&ssl=1)
The resolution included negotiations increasing the size of the buffer. In addition to the 49,000-square-foot Whole Foods, the shopping center would include an additional 100,000 square feet of retail space, plus a detached bank pad. It would also restrict tenant sizes to no more than 20,000 square feet in order to restrict “big-box” tenants. In a previous application a 137,000-square-foot “big box” department store (rumored to be Target).
About 70 residents appeared at Tuesdays Council meeting.
Letter to the editor: Last of the Hills of Troy Stolen; Taxpayers win nothing
Dear Editor:
Don’t believe what Mayor James Barberio said about the money for the “open space”; that if certain parties did not protest open space money would have come from the County. 1) It was not appropriate for such funds under the circumstance; remember it was RD’s buffer and did not meet criteria for open space requirements under the County. The County official even remarked it was one of the worse proposals ever put forth. 2) the group that protested also petitioned the County to help us in their power to buy the whole landscape as open space because of the character inherent in the landscape, ground water recharge, and neighborhood and regional enhancement.
If for example the whole landscape of the waterview was intact as an ecosystem with its natural assets undisturbed; not fragmented by the developer if may have stood a chance; under Highlands Conformance which Parsippany has rejected without public consent or transparency the landscape could of been considered “community-environmentally constrained sub-zone” and given legal protections as such, perhaps even considered rezoned off the market ,recognized in the light of so important as to be taken off-market for its long term benefits in the water cycle and community enhancement, especially to the immediate neighborhood Under conformance Belle Meade would of received their fair share market value for the land.
One good citizen also brought light to the fact when the POD zone was established these landscapes were zoned as an area with their buffer landscapes already build into the zone. Waterview was left that way for environmental and ecological reasons being in the Troy Brook Watershed, and giving balance and biodiversity, nature’s stormwater, water cycle quality and quantity cycle back to the aquifer at no costs to anyone. This original arrangement was subverted and forgotten. The Earth a natural resource in itself turned back into real estate.
Morris County does not conform to regional planning itself. So by not being in conformance to the Regional Plan Parsippany became its own worst enemy. Instead of science and law; including legal protections available under conformance, we left ourselves purposely vulnerable to gangster developers like RD.
It is time to ask; why are we being denied regional conformance? Why is the public not encourage to learn more and the administration transparent and truthful about the advances and benefits concerned in Regional Planning? By completing an environmental resource inventory and identifying unique environmentally sensitive areas, as our own master plan contends waterview could have been saved. Instead we paid for a lawsuit for an issue that was moot at the time, RD trying to rezone the land without Parsippany in their equation, knowing that all such lawsuits were inappropriate at the time because the Courts were in the process of settling the affordable housing issue. Now we have the three and one half million dollars of our tax dollars going for what still amounts to a buffer. In that area of the Troy Brook are steep slopes and slopes galore a buffer of the type we are calling open space; would of been necessary no matter. The area is also in a flood prone area, as any land use capability map would show. Its consolidated soils the best kind for water recharge and filtering will now be polluted by runoff and impervious surface.
The terrain feature known as Doremus Ridge the last of the hills of Troy will certainly, slowly but surely implode and erode. The Trees will lose their vitality, the stormwater engineering will not be maintained properly, and will not be capable of the same natural process by waterview’s consolidated soils of glacial till, further injuring our recharge, and water quality.
Replacing science with politics and politicians who think little of public environmental values, but only private economic concerns and tax dollars do not deserve our support. The continuation of their salaries is more important than the long term health of our water and quality of life. Progress in a myth science and good land use is not. Our master plan is a worthless piece of paper; as it changes continuously with every new corporate scheme of the big landowners. It is against a great moral law to be unjustly enriched at the costs of other. That is what just occurred on Tuesday, November 10 at Town Hall.
Loss of a valuable beyond money asset, and robbery of our open space funds; RD cleaned up real good. Who will be left with the real mess? Our well heads are protected in theory, but not really so, as groundwater recharge areas in Parsippany are not protected. Without these recharge areas the well will go dry and the water quality will degrade. Add the UPS new development; called redevelopment, waterview and other already developed places most vacant an idle all in the same extended landscape all Route 46 and we can look forward to more traffic, litter, floods and loss of the sense of home; America the beautiful? No it’s their country right or wrongs certainly not ours.
RD and our officials allowed; turned a civic obligation COAH that Parsippany may not have even had to adhere to. (254 affordable housing units in 2010 into 666 then thousands) The chorus sang higher, higher numbers even while COAH does not exist, but builder’s remedy, into a threat, because our Town is not our own and RD and Belle Mead have their property rights. Parsippany’s answer, scorched earth; develop all the open land so public housing can’t come here. Is not that a deliberate evasion and purpose exclusion for the alleged housing responsibility that if true will have to be built somewhere anyway? Let us save tax-dollars by abolishing our master plan expense and discontinue the environmental and open space committee, they are a waste of money. Under the present NJDEP you can rest assured this site plan will be streamlined and fast tracked, into construction as the present administration in Trenton does not protect the environment, health, safety or welfare of its citizens. Money can’t buy love, but love can be bought for money.
Nicholas Homyak
NJ Transit Salutes Veterans
NEWARK — In recognition of our customers who have served in the Armed Forces, New Jersey TRANSIT is inviting all active and retired military personnel to ride as guests of honor on our system on Veterans Day.
Whether going to the country’s largest Veteran’s Day parade in New York City, heading to ceremonies around New Jersey or simply commuting to work or school, veterans and active members (in or out of uniform) can utilize any portion of the bus, rail and light rail network all day on Wednesday, November 11 by simply showing a valid military ID.
“Opening our doors to these brave men and women who have sacrificed for the country is just a small token of our appreciation,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim. “It is a privilege to salute our nation’s veterans and active members and to honor their service by offering a ride on our transit system.”
NJ TRANSIT’s policy year-round allows dependents of military personnel to purchase tickets at reduced fares using the senior citizen/passenger with disabilities option upon showing a military dependent ID card. When purchasing a ticket from a ticket vending machine or through MyTix, select Senior/Disabled to obtain the discounted fare.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 915,900 weekday trips on 257 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
PHS Marching Band Motorcade
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Marching Band received a motorcade send off to Allentown on Sunday, November 8, to particpate in the Group IV 2015 National Champions.
The students arrived at the high school, had lunch and then enjoyed a celebration cake before getting ready to leave on the school buses.
Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1, Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2, Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Department District 4, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Parsippany Office of Emergency Management, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, Mayor James Barberio, Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad all lined up in the high school parking lot and participated in the motorcade that started on Vail Road, made a right onto North Beverwyck Road, crossed over Route 46, and then turned on Route 80 West, as the students packed in three yellow school buses with two trucks carrying their equipment to Allentown.
Hiawatha Pharmacy to hold Customer Appreciation Event
PARSIPPANY – When Atta Rehman, owner of Hiawatha Pharmacy decided to open his own business, there was no doubt in his mind that it would be in Parsippany.
This November celebrates Hiawatha Pharmacy’s Fourth Anniversary in its current location.
Atta opened his pharmacy in a store front on North Beverwyck Road in March 2010. He realized the business was struggling due to poor visibility and limited street parking on the busy section of North Beverwyck Road making potential customers not realize a local run pharmacy existed.
In November of 2011 Hiawatha Pharmacy shifted less than a mile, over to the Foodtown. Since the location change the business has shown steady improvement because of improved visibility, more foot traffic, better parking, a friendly atmosphere and an overall higher level of convenience for customers.
Atta moved to Parsippany from Queens in 1990 and graduated from Parsippany High School in 1993.
“Parsippany is home, there is no other place I would rather be.” Atta explained how much opportunity the township has given to him. “Parsippany has given me a great place to live, a great education and a place where my children can already call home”
Atta attended Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY where he achieved Doctor of Pharmacy while working part-time as a delivery driver for Domino’s Pizza in Parsippany.
Atta was very excited when he was hired for his first pharmacy job at Rite Aid in 1999, later becoming a pharmacy intern at Drug Fair. Several years later, he became a pharmacist with Drug Fair.
Recently customers voted Hiawatha Pharmacy the best Pharmacy in Morris County in a survey conducted by the Daily Record.
Atta emphasized that it is all about his customers and taking care of the residents of a town that gave him so much. Atta is tailored toward the people, their needs, medical and emotional and willing to do anything to bring a smile to his customers’ face. Atta takes the time to speak and more importantly listen to each and every customer and get to know them because “You never know what people are going through, whether it’s depression, financial strains, chemo treatment, or a sick child at home. An integral part of a pharmacist’s job is getting to know the customer story,” Atta explained.
When asked Atta who is your competition he said that Rite Aid, Walgreens, Shop Rite are the biggest competitors in the area because they have the ability to market and promote on a bigger scale. They have a big advantage in prescription insurance negotiation which takes away the opportunity from independent pharmacies. But even bigger, is the challenge to stay motivated as an entrepreneur, to continue staying focused when things aren’t going well. Atta says, “My customers help me with that!”
Atta’s biggest goal is to build his own brand and he set up a Customer Appreciation event to kick it off.
Hiawatha Pharmacy is inviting everybody to their Customer Appreciation Weekend, Friday November 13 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. He will serving food and refreshments, blood pressure checks, giveaways and the opportunity to get to know Hiawatha Pharmacy.
Hiawatha Pharmacy offers a very competitive discount plan called RXCARE, and will be rolling out our new $4.00 Generic drug program to coincide with the 4 year anniversary at Foodtown.
Hiawatha Pharmacy is located inside the Foodtown, 435 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha. Business Hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (break between 1:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m.) and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
“I have an opportunity to grow my business, in a tough economy with stern competition, by taking charge. I have always been, still am and will always be ready for that challenge. Customers are number one. It’s not the product or price or the convenient location, it’s all about the customer’s total experience.”
Visit Hiawatha Pharmacy on Facebook, where you can find more information on Hiawatha Pharmacy and contact information. You can reach Atta by calling (973) 794-4909.
Hiawatha Pharmacy is ready to serve Pathmark Pharmacy customers, to ease their transition and to reduce any anxiety and concerns when it comes to changing pharmacies. Transferring your prescriptions is easy, just bring in your pharmacy bottles and they will do the rest.
Hiawatha Pharmacy is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
Letter to the editor: Council, with a proverbial gun to their heads, unanimously voted to approve Whole Foods
Dear Editor:
On November 10, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council, with a proverbial gun to their heads, unanimously voted to approve a settlement agreement in which RD Reality would be permitted to raze and develop 16 acres of the Waterview tract. This represents the beginning of the end of a decades-long battle to preserve this land as best as possible.
In the 1980’s, a group of Intervale residents worked with the town council to preserve a 200 foot buffer along the edge of the property and zone the land as planned office development (corporate campus), minimizing the impact on the neighborhood, versus the strip mall and apartments that a developer had planned.
In 2005, Intervale residents stopped a rezoning of the land and prevented a town center. Shortly thereafter, a 55+ development was prevented. In 2013, a large complex of townhouses, Target, Whole Foods, and various other stores (leaving only a 50 foot buffer for the neighborhood) was defeated. And finally, a smaller, high-end strip mall with a 9.2 acre buffer was stopped. And while the latter was clearly the best deal in front of the residents at that time, we felt we could do better – so that’s what we did. We continued to fight.
During the summer of 2015, one of the principals from RD Reality reached out to me and said he wanted to work directly with us to find something that was amenable to everyone. We met numerous times, apparently unbeknownst to the township administration, and C4HS&W did its best to negotiate the best possible deal we could for the neighborhood and the (At that time, we were also continuing concurrently aggressively exploring ways to preserve the entire tract as open space.)
Through discussions, we were able to increase the preserved acreage to 10.6, though we were adamant about wanting more. We ensured that Intervale Road was off-limits, insisted on a treed buffer to help shield the neighborhood from noise and lights, and pushed the project as close to Route 46 as we could. While we didn’t get everything we wanted, we did everything we could. To be fair, the representative from RD was honest, approachable, and treated us far better than any of the other RD representatives who minimally dealt with us in 2012.
Did we get everything we wanted? No. But given that we were staring down the barrel of the builders’ remedy, perceived or real, our options to fight were quickly becoming limited. As the president of C4HS&W, I’m saddened that we weren’t able to preserve more, and certainly not all, of the land. As a resident of the Intervale neighborhood, I think the council’s vote last night, given the totality of the circumstances, was their best option and I thank each one for their vote.
I would like to specifically thank Councilman Brian Stanton, former Councilman Jonathan Nelson, Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., Councilman Lou Valori, and Council Vice President Robert Peluso for listening to the residents who strongly felt that we could do better than any deal that had been in front of them prior to November 10. They had the courage to trust a group of citizens who knew a better deal was out there, and represented their interests. I consistently told them that if the point came when I felt that there was no more fight left, not one more tree to save, then I would prefer a settlement rather than risk losing the entire tract – but that I would fight until the last possible minute. For me, that point came about 1 hour before the council meeting.
Mike dePierro, who curiously publicly chastised me prior to his November 10 vote, clearly believed that the COAH threat was real, and voted to prevent the town from being exposed to high density housing – though for some reason, attempted to make me feel badly for fighting for as much as possible until the very end. No citizen should ever be humiliated for doing what s/he feels is right for the community. In the end, his vote to preserve 9.2 acres was ultimately defeated in lieu of another vote to preserve 10.6 acres, with the additional acres being negotiated by common citizens who felt they could make a difference, several months earlier.
To be clear though, I thank all public officials, who do what they believe is right, for giving their time and making hard decisions. It’s also important to thank the Mountain Lakes council members for working so hard to protect Intervale Road. They were definitely very influential in making that happen.
It has been an unforgettable experience getting to know so many great people through this process over the past several years. Residents joined arms, exchanged ideas, had difficult conversations, held to their convictions, donated time, donated money, attended meetings, and fought for what they believed was best. I would also like to thank the current and former board members of C4HS&W: Len Cipkins, John Garrison, Margaret Gossett, Michele Tuscano, Jackie Bay, Nancy DuTerte, Gretchen Fry, Ron Owens, Dick Young, and John Beehler for their dedication to this cause.
There is no way to calculate the number of hours spent on this enormous task, and their leadership was impressive.
Dave Kaplan
President
Citizens For Health, Safety, & Welfare
PTHSD issues statement regarding employee remarks on Facebook
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills School District is aware of the statements that were posted by one of its employees on Facebook..
The district prides itself on its diversity and its acceptance of all individuals and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
This pride is reflective of over 1,700 employees who work each day with our students, parents, and community members.
While they understand the value of free speech they do not condone any of their employees making discriminatory and offensive comments about any one particular group of people. The matter is being handled as a personnel issue.
As reported in Parsippany Patch “Local residents expressed outrage after a Parsippany-Troy Hills School District employee took to Facebook Monday afternoon to air his grievances about the lack of Christmas décor at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall.”
In the article “A resident shared the comment, which was posted to the Rockaway Townsquare Mall Facebook page, with Parsippany Patch.
In the comment, Frank Atkins, a bus driver for the district, slammed the business for its lack of Christmas-related decorations this season. What Atkins also did in the post, where he claims to be offended as a Christian, was use the words “towel head,” a derogatory term often used to offend someone of Middle Eastern descent or someone who wears a turban.
According to Parsippany Patch, the comment was posted at 2:40 p.m. Monday, November 9, but removed within 30 minutes. It is not known if the business or Atkins himself removed the post.
Thirsty Robber steals carton of cigarettes from Quick Chek
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Headquarters was contacted by an employee who reported a shoplifting at Quick Chek, 490 North Beverwyck Road, at 3:16 p.m. on Sunday, November 8.
Patrol Officer G. Bloete responded to the scene and spoke to the employee. The employee advised the Officer that an approximately 5’10 tall white female in her 20’s, wearing a black hoodie and sunglasses entered Quick Chek and removed one soft drink from the refrigerators and then approached the register and asked for a carton of cigarettes.
The employee stated he checked the victim’s identification briefly and placed the carton of cigarettes and the soft drink in a bag.
The employee stated the actor then asked for another package of cigarettes and as he turned around to get them she ran out the front door with the merchandise and got into a black two-door Honda Civic which fled the area.
This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4313.
Pair Arrested in Parsippany Attempting to Distribute Kilogram of Cocaine
![Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2015/02/Fredric_Knapp.jpg?resize=225%2C247&ssl=1)
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Paul Philipps of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department announce the arrest of two (2) interstate drug traffickers and the seizure of over 1000 grams (one kilogram) of cocaine.
On Monday, November 9, members of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department received information that a group of individuals were importing illegal narcotics into Morris County from New York State. Narcotics Task Force Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department intercepted this drug distribution duo as they traveled on State Highway 46 in Parsippany.
Following the vehicle stop, the drugs were located and seized from a concealed compartment in the vehicle, more commonly referred to as a “trap.” The two individuals were placed under arrest and charged. Police also seized this vehicle, containing the manufactured trap, which will be subject to a civil forfeiture action.
The wholesale street value of the seized kilogram of cocaine is approximately $36,000. The following individuals were charged:
- Juan E. Liranzo, 31, from Bayside, New York
- Lia J. Cespedes, 26, from Forest Hills, New York
Both Liranzo and Cespedes were charged with the following:
- One (1) count of first-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine).
- One (1) count of second-degree Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine).
- One (1) count of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine)
The Honorable David Ironson, J.S.C. set bail for both Liranzo and Cespedes at $250,000, no 10% option, with bail source hearing condition imposed. Both individuals were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of bail.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp stated: “The Narcotics Task Force successfully interdicted a significant quantity of cocaine that was destined for distribution in Morris County. Law enforcement in this County will continue to work together to successfully thwart upper-level drug distribution organizations as they attempt to import wholesale illegal narcotics into our communities.”
Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. This investigation was led by Task Force Officer George Tsimpedes and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Driver slumped in vehicle; Then takes off from Police
PARSIPPANY — While patrolling Route 46 Patrol Officer Michael Sprung observed a blue 2007 Mercury sedan stopped just past the driveway apron of 3159 Route 46 with its blinker on and not parked in a parking spot at 1:43 a.m. on Saturday, November 7.
Patrol Officer M. Sprung also observed the driver, later identified as Jason Demelo, 39, Haskell, slumped to the right inside the vehicle.
Patrol Officer M. Sprung pulled his patrol vehicle behind the Mercury and exited his vehicle to check on Mr. Demelo. As Patrol Officer M. Sprung approached the vehicle he could hear the stereo of the vehicle loudly playing out of the open driver’s side front window. Mr. Demelo woke up after several attempts by the Officer. Mr. Demelo was advised to turn off his stereo at which time he turned off his vehicle, but not the stereo. He was also advised to produce his documents, which he failed to do. While Patrol Officer M. Sprung was outside the vehicle Mr. Demelo turned his vehicle back on and fled down Route 46 east.
Patrol Officer M. Sprung began pursuing the vehicle down Route 46 east and was soon joined by Patrol Officer M. Fernandez. The pursuit continued a short distance at which time the pursuit was terminated.
Surrounding towns were advised of the pursuit and the vehicle involved. The vehicle was pursued again by other Police agencies outside of Parsippany at which time the vehicle was stopped and Mr. Demelo was arrested.
Mr. Demelo was charged with Eluding an Officer, Speeding, Failure to Observe Traffic Lanes, Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failure to Give Proper Signal for a Turn or other Movement, Failure to Yield at an Intersection, failure to comply with officer’s directions, improper passing, failure to observe a traffic control device, unlicensed driver, Failure to exhibit license, registration, and insurance, and improper headlights.
Mr. Demelo was further charged by other jurisdictions and lodged in the Essex County Jail on a $25,000.00 bail with no 10 percent option.
Mr. Demelo also had an outstanding warrant from Clifton Municipal Court for Theft with a bail of $3,500.00.