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Oct 1, 2015

PARSIPPANY —Mary Purrzycki of Parsippany Historical & Preservation Society was the guest speaker at Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany on Thursday, October 1.

Purrzycki discussed the upcoming “Pathways of History” 2015 Historic Places Tour. The tour consists of over 23 historic locations throughout Morris County.

The dates of the tour are Saturday, October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 11 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.

A weekend tour is featuring history places in Parsippany, Mount Tabor, Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Denville, Dover, Florham Park, Kinnelon, Lake Hopatcong, Mine Hill, Montville Township, Mount Olive, Pequannock Township, Randolph, Rockaway Township, Roxbury Township and Washington Township.

Among the many places to tour, Parsippany’s Bowlsby-DeGelleke House, 320 Baldwin Road is a place not to miss. The house is known for “The Wake of George Bowlsby” Mourning during Civil War. They will exhibit Mourning costume and Jewelry form 1860 to 1890. The house tours by docents in period costumes.

The Bowlsby-DeGelleke House is a one-and-a-half story clapboard-sided framed farmhouse. The house was built-in two stages by George Bowlsby, Jr. (c. 1790 and 1819). Originally the front entrance was on the right side. An addition to the right of the door resulted in a central entrance appearance. It has two chimneys, one at each gable end. The central hallway runs from the main entrance to the rear of the house, and contains a mid-19th century staircase to the second floor, and stairs to the basement. On either side of the hallway are two interconnecting rooms. The left (west) side contains a front parlor with a fireplace and a back room. Both have original wide oak flooring. The right (east) side of the house contains a dining room with original wide pine flooring, and a kitchen with replaced wide pine floorboards. The west side of the second floor originally was one large storage room. Walls were added in 1920 to create two bedrooms. The kitchen, also modernized, once had a hand water pump from a cistern in the cellar. The house is decorated in the 1850 – 1860 period.

During the Civil War, Parsippany and Troy saw their boys go off to war and many of them not return. George Bowlsby, William S. Van Fleet and Josiah Quincy Grimes are three who did not survive. Exhibits follow their involvement in the War Between the States.

The “Wake of George Bowlsby” – Mourning during the Civil War.

Join the family in their time of grief and experience the home during the mourning period. Read letters from Pvt. Van Fleet to his wife, Anna Doremus, a Parsippany resident. Follow the history of the Grimes family in Parsippany.

The house was purchased in 1977 by the Township and is used as the Parsippany-Troy Hills Museum and Archives.

The Mount Tabor Historical Society will be giving guided tours of “Richardson History House” located at 32 Trinity Place, Mount Tabor.

Built in 1873 for the Richardson family, this historic house is distinct as one-third of a triple cottage. Mount Tabor was founded as a post-Civil War permanent Methodist Camp Meeting ground, and the History House is a small-scale 19th century Folk Victorian Camp Meeting cottage. This cottage was owned by a descendent of Richardson until 2007, when it was bequeathed to the Historical Society to serve as a museum. Due to the ownership remaining within the same family, the interior of the cottage is a highly preserved example of a camp meeting cottage. Please take note of the original decorative trompe l’oeil painting on the wood panels in the parlors. The large floor-to-ceiling plate-glass windows in the front parlor swing open to take advantage of the summer breezes and Trinity Park.

Recent renovations: Grants from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust have helped fund painting the kitchen and upstairs rooms in authentic colors, all new electrical wiring with new lighting fixtures, a new roof and other structural repairs.

For complete information and locations of all 23 tours, click here.

Former Morris County Sheriff John M. Fox, Sr. laid to rest

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Oct 1, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Former Morris County Sherrif John M. Fox, Sr., was laid to rest on Wednesday, September 30.

Morris County Sheriff’s Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department were joined by law enforcement officers from across New Jersey to pay tribute to former Morris County Sheriff, Freeholder and Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman John M. Fox. Also joining at St. Christopher’s Roman Catholic Church was Governor Chris Christie, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Sheriff Edward Rochford, Undersheriff Richard Wall, Undersheriff William Schievella, Morris County Prosecutor Fred Knapp as well as other area diginitaries.

The funeral included full police honors and music from the Morris County Police Pipes and Drums.

Fox, 73, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, September 26, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to East Orange as a young child. He lived in Livingston before settling in Parsippany in 1955.

John began his career in public service as a police officer in 1965 with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, later rising to the rank of detective. In 1975, he was elected Sheriff of Morris County and spent the next 18 years turning the office into a support center for local enforcement. His accomplishments include creating the Crimestoppers program, Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (S.L.A.P ), K-9 unit, Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) and the criminal investigation division.

After his retirement in 1992, John continued his life of public service by serving as a Morris County Freeholder, a Parsippany-Troy Hills councilman, and most recently as a commissioner of the Morris County Board of Elections.

John has been the recipient of numerous awards, including mostly recently the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the State Troopers Coalition.

While his professional accomplishments are many, his greatest joy was his family.

“As a young Sheriff, John Fox had the vision to start Crimestoppers, SLAP, a K-9 Unit, a Bomb Squad and our Criminal investigative Services Unit. His vision laid the foundation for what the Morris County Sheriff’s Office has become today; an award-winning, nationally recognized law enforcement agency. All of our officers and employees have Sheriff Fox’s family in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort knowing he has left such a wonderful legacy in the county he loved so very much,” said Sheriff Ed Rochford.

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen said “John Fox was an old friend who I first met when I got out of the Army back in 1971. He was a great Morris County sheriff and freeholder and left a positive mark on law enforcement in our community , especially his work to establish the Morris County Police and Fire Academy.”

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., said “I had the honor and the privilege to work for John Fox while he was Morris County Sheriff. Not only was he a visionary but a true leader. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office would not be what it is today if it were not for John Fox. He may be gone but never forgotten.”

Morris County Administrator John Bonanni stated “The entire Morris County family mourns the loss of Sheriff Fox and extends our sincerest condolences to his Family. Sheriff Fox was a natural born leader whose many contributions will remain with Morris County forever to both protect its citizens and symbolize his legacy. He had a unique and instinctive manner that simply and naturally commanded respect. He fostered, maintained and developed a culture of “dedicated creativity” that resulted in the continual development and implementation of so many programs and services designed to keep Morris County safe. Whether serving as Sheriff or Freeholder, John Fox assumed each position with a deep understanding of critical issues and a determined committment to always make improvements were needed. All of his wonderful qualities were topped off with nothing less than a great sense of humor, which kept all of us who worked with him coming back for more. May God Bless Sheriff Fox and his family.”

“Sheriff Fox will be truly missed I had the honor and privilege to work for him for approximately five years. He was a mentor to me and a role model for the Law Enforcement community. Sheriff Fox was an exceptional leader who’s vision had made the Morris County Sheriffs Department what it is today,” said Councilman Louis Valori, Jr.

“John Fox played an important and successful role as a Police Officer/Detective and as the Sheriff of Morris County. One of his goals was to start and grow Crime Stoppers here in Morris County and to this day it is a successful and interactive instrument in fighting crime and allows individuals to be involved and inform law enforcement of any information they may have without the worry of being exposed. I worked with Sheriff Fox at the Morris County Sherriff’s department during his tenure as Sheriff of Morris County. Years later I was his Campaign Chair for his Council seat here in Parsippany. Knowing John and his family has been a long time friendship. Congressman Dean Gallo and my late husband Republican Leader Alex DeCroce were close confidants and John played a large roll in their political careers as well as they did in his. My first thought was sadness for his family and knowing how proud he was to be a grandfather and how unfair it is that he will not be able to see his grandchildren growing up. I know Maryann and the family will make sure they know how important their grandfather was to Morris County and the State of New Jersey. May God Bless him and his family,” said Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce.

A private service followed at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, with the funeral caravan of police vehicles, including busloads of officers, stopping traffic along Route 10.

Officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Department

Pastors of St. Christopher’s Roman Catholic Church

Renee DiMaggio speaking with a Morris County Sheriff officer

Parsippany Troy Hills Township Attorney John Inglesino and Mayor James Barberio

Sheriff Edward Rochford and Undersheriff Richard Wall

parsippany newspaper — Fred Knapp talking to the officers

Mr. Fox is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Mary Ann (nee-Japko), his loving children: John and his wife, Deanna, Michelle Theobald and her husband, Darren, and Karie Golenda and her husband, Michael, and his dear brother and sisters: Vincent and his wife, Cora, Barbara Bullwinkel and husband, Bill and Susan Turner; he is also survived by his five adoring grandchildren: Sienna, Michael, Matthew, Natalie and Ryan.

Prime Healthcare completes acquisition of Saint Clare’s hospitals

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Oct 1, 2015

DENVILLE — Prime Healthcare Services announced Thursday it had completed its acquisition of the Saint Clare’s Health System in New Jersey. The transaction, which closed on July 31 with an effective date of sale deferred to Oct. 1, includes Saint Clare’s Hospital in Boonton, Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville, Saint Clare’s Hospital in Dover and Saint…

Here’s what a state of emergency actually does

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Oct 1, 2015

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency Thursday, as Hurricane Joaquin continued an uncertain path toward the East Coast. The declaration — which in the past has come before everything from Hurricane Sandy to major snow storms and Pope Francis’ recent U.S. visit — indicates state government is taking a potential event seriously,…

Prepare and Plan: National Weather Service issued a “Hazardous Weather Outlook”

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Oct 1, 2015

Make a family emergency plan, including third party communications contacts and rendezvous points.

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Office of Emergency Management and The Morris County Office of Emergency Management continues to keep a close eye on the path and storm track of Hurricane Joaquin which is currently a Category 3 Hurricane. Joaquin will likely be upgraded to a Category 4 Hurricane as we move forward in the storm track process. Since we cannot wait for the final verdict, our preparedness planning processes remain in full motion. As we continue our planning efforts the Office of Emergency Management has elevated our operational status within the Emergency Operations Center.

The focus remains on Sunday night and Monday. Keep in mind that the storm track continues to change and we are not locking into any specific model at this time since significant variability currently exists.

To receive Emergency Text Messages & Phone Alerts click here on this registration link.

Some of the storm models reviewed this morning suggest that Hurricane Joaquin will make landfall South of the state Sunday night and Monday while other tracks suggest an East Coast landfall or an Out-to-Sea solution. The longer that Joaquin remains in the Bahamas area, the greater the likelihood that we could possibly see an Out-to-Sea solution.

Periods of rain will be likely Sunday night and Monday and this could become heavy at times. Breezy conditions can be expected today through Sunday with wind gusts to 30-35 mph possible. Higher gusts will be possible Sunday night and Monday depending on the ultimate track of Joaquin.

First Energy/Jersey Central Power and Light has activated storm plans and additional crews have already been mobilized ahead of the storm. The First Energy customer call centers will be fully staffed. Customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the “Report Outage” link at www.firstenergycorp.com

FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive important information in advance of major storms, and updates on extended power outages. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts.

More information about these communications tools is available online, by clicking here.

The Morris County Office of Emergency Management will continue to post weather related updates via Facebook (facebook.com/MCUrgent) and Twitter (search for the handle @MCUrgent).

“My job is make sure that everyone knows who is responsible ahead of time, who has the authority, and how we’re going to communicate before the emergency happens,” said Eric Hubner, Deputy Director of Parsippany’s Office of Emergency Management.

Safety Tips During Power Outages:

Keep flashlights and fresh batteries in your home. Avoid using candles to light your home, especially around children and pets.

If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.

Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.

Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out.

Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.

Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.

Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune to a local station for current storm information.

Basic Preparedness Tips

Fill vehicle fuel tanks and make sure you have cell phone car plug adapters to charge phones and portable devices in the event of extended power outages

Fill spare gasoline containers in the event that you have a gas generator or other critical gas powered items

Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.

Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate

If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.

Morris County Municipalities have the ability to utilize the Morris County Office of Emergency Management’s Everbridge communication platform. This system will be utilized in the event that critical information needs to be disseminated. In addition, many of our Morris County communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your municipality, check the municipal website.

To sign up for the Morris County MCURGENT notification systems text “Follow @MCUrgent” to 40404, follow us on Twitter: @MCUrgent, or find us on Facebook: facebook.com/MCUrgent

Preparing your Car

Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit located in the trunk.

Vehicle emergency supply kids should include:

A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
Jumper cables
Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool
Flashlight and extra batteries
Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible
Compass
First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, nonlatex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress
Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
Drinking water
Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help
Car charger for your cell phone
Fire extinguisher
Duct tape
Rain poncho
Additional items for cold weather include a snow brush, shovel, windshield washer fluid, warm clothing, cat litter for traction and blankets

It’s also a good idea to keep family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company, in your phone.

Preparing Your Home

Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.

Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.

Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors.

Nonperishable food that does not require the use of a stove/oven etc

Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.

Check operational status of generators. Old fuel should be changed to allow for efficient operation.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

Have appropriate medications on hand
Baby supplies
Pet supplies
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

We encourage the public to look at travel plans and preparedness activities ahead of the storm.

Community Preparedness: The Facts

Research on preparedness shows that people who believe themselves “prepared” for disasters often aren’t as prepared as they think. Forty percent of survey respondents did not have household plans, 80 percent had not conducted home evacuation drills, and nearly 60 percent did not know their community’s evacuation routes.

Nearly 20 percent of survey respondents reported having a disability that would affect their capacity to respond to an emergency situation, but shockingly only one out of four of them had made arrangements specific to their disability to help them respond safely in the event of an emergency.

Our nation’s emergency managers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMT/paramedics, and other emergency responders do an incredible job of keeping us safe, but they can’t do it alone. We must all embrace our individual responsibility to be prepared – in doing so, we contribute to the safety and security of the nation as well.

Becoming more prepared in case of an emergency is easier than you might think. Whether it’s your home, your neighborhood, your place of business, or your school, you can take a few simple steps to prepare your community. This toolkit gives you the basics for getting started.

The following links can be useful in case of an emergency.

Red Cross Mobile Apps

Exxon sells damaged Southern California refinery to Parsippany company

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Oct 1, 2015

LOS ANGELES — A New Jersey-based oil refining company announced Wednesday that it will acquire a damaged Los Angeles-area Exxon Mobil plant for $537.5 million, after repairs have been completed early next year. The acquisition isn’t expected to have any immediate effect on gasoline prices in the Los Angeles area, where consumers have paid as much…

Students created patches to reflect their heritage

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Sep 30, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Students in Mrs. Kate Johnson’s English 2 Quilt Class at Parsippany Hills High School created a patch of self-reflection on their heritage and family traditions. This activity was the culmination of a study of the summer reading selection, Funny in Farsi, a memoir of growing up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas.

Nikki Long named a 2015 University of Rhode Island 101 Mentor

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Sep 30, 2015

PARSIPPANY —University of Rhode Island (URI) 101 Mentors play an influential role helping first-year students in their transition to college life. Mentors create effective and comfortable partnerships with instructors and become resourceful team leaders for all students. Working with an instructor, URI 101 Mentors create lessons that develop essential academic skills, encourage involvement, improve personal responsibility, celebrate diversity and more.

Nikki Long, a 2013 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, has been named a 2015 URI 101 Mentor.

URI 101 is an introductory seminar for incoming students, intended to assist in the transition to college, from academic planning to use of resources and programs for academic success. The course is required of all new freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 credits.

The University of Rhode Island’s pioneering research extends the University’s influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,637 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. In May 2015, more than 3,000 undergraduate and about 660 graduate degrees were awarded. The University now has more than 114,000 alumni worldwide.

Rain won’t go away in Parsippany for several more days

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Sep 30, 2015

It’ll be another damp day in New Jersey on Wednesday. Forecasters are calling for scattered showers and muggy conditions with highs mainly in the upper 70s across the state, according to the National Weather Service. While up to an additional half-inch of rain is possible, most of the heavy precipitation has moved to the northeast of…

Rockettes arrive at Parsippany Library

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Sep 29, 2015

Jennifer Jarabek and her 8-month-old son Jaxon Jarabek with Levinson and Sienicki

PARSIPPANY — The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an experience that’s meant to be shared, so before they start rehearsals for the 2015 production, they visited Parsippany to kick off the holiday season.

Megan Levinson, North Caldwell, and Christine Sienicki, Clifton, were the two Rockettes visiting the Parsippany Library. The children and their parents as well as other residents had the opportunity to meet, ask questions and take photographs with the Rockettes.

When you post your photo with the Rockettes, be sure to tag @Rockettes on Facebook and Twitter, and @theRockettes on Instagram – they’ll be looking out for your pics and sharing their favorites! See your picture? Want it printed for free? All you have to do is join our email list from our home page and then send an email to news@parsippanyfocus.com requesting which picture you would like printed.

The Rockettes debuted on stage at the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” in 1933. The 80-member group’s routine is complex and the company rehearses six hours a day, six days a week. The group begins six weeks of rehearsals Friday.

The “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” opens November 13 and runs through January 3. Tickets start at $46.00.

To purchase tickets, visit radiocitychristmas.com. For more information, visit the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular’s” Facebook page.

The Rockettes visited the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, 449 Halsey Road, on Tuesday, September 29 where a crowd of children and their parents were anxiously waiting their arrival.

Megan Levinson and Christine Sienicki, dressed in their Rockette costumes took pictures, and signed autographs for children

Aspiring dancers Amanda Hilsinger, Kim Ebel, Ashley Grieco, Karen Hilsinger with Megan Levinson and Christine Sienicki

The Rockettes showing this girl some dance moves

A women requesting an autograph from the Rockettes

A young girl poses for her picture with the Rockettes

Students from various Dance schools showed the Rockettes their dance moves

Megan Levinson and Christine Sienicki with Mayor James Barberio

Two Males Plead Guilty To Multiple Robberies

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Sep 29, 2015

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Vincenzo Viola, 39, and Robert Capriglione, 37, have pleaded guilty to multiple robberies that occurred in Morris and Bergen County in May 2013. The robberies occurred while the Defendants were impersonating police officers.

Both Defendants appeared before the Honorable Stephen Taylor, P.J.Cr. and entered guilty pleas on Tuesday, September 29.

Defendant Viola entered a guilty plea to two counts of second-degree Robbery (Count One of Bergen County Indictment 13-10-01404-S and Count Eight of Morris County Indictment 13-08-00922-I). The plea calls for the Defendant to be sentenced to five (5) years in New Jersey State Prison on each of the two counts. At the time of sentencing, the State will be recommending a total consecutive sentence of ten (10) years in State Prison. Each offense is subject to the ‘No Early Release Act’ (NERA) requiring Defendant to serve 85% of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Robert Capriglione entered a guilty plea to two counts of second-degree Robbery (count one of Bergen County Indictment 13-10-01404-S and count eight of Morris County Indictment 13-08-00922-I). The plea calls for the Defendant to be sentenced to four (4) years in New Jersey State Prison on one count and five (5) years on the second count. At the time of sentencing, the State will be recommending a total consecutive sentence of nine (9) years in State Prison. Each offense is subject to the ‘No Early Release Act’ (NERA) requiring Defendant to serve 85% of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Defendant Viola’s sentencing has been scheduled for October 30, 2015 before Judge Taylor. Defendant Capriglione sentencing has been scheduled for November 6, 2015 before Judge Taylor.

Firearm and Drug Arrest at Red Roof Inn

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Sep 29, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Through an investigation the Parsippany Police Department’s Narcotics Unit developed information that individuals were actively selling narcotics from multiple rooms at the Red Roof Inn, 855 Route 46 East.

During the investigation James Howell, 44, Easton, Pennsylvania and Richard Burwell, 46, East Orange were identified as the suspected individuals that were selling the narcotics.

On Monday, September 28 at 11:30 a.m. Officers with Parsippany Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, Parsippany Rifle Team, Parsippany Patrol Officers, along with members of the Morris County K-9 Unit executed a search warrant at the Red Roof Inn.

Officers arrested Howell and Burwell without incident.

A search of the room revealed one Taurus .44 Magnum Revolver loaded with six hollow point bullets, 17 small baggies containing suspected marijuana, 47 glassine folds containing suspect heroin, 44 pills of suspected MDMA, one bag containing 16 grams of suspected marijuana, one bag containing eight grams of suspected MDMA, 16 grams of suspected Cocaine along with suspected packaging and weighing equipment commonly used in the packaging and distribution of illicit drugs.

Both individuals were charged with the following: Possession and Intent to Distribute Heroin, Possession and Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession and Intent to Distribute MDMA, Possession and Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Hollow Point Bullets, Possession of a Firearm While Committing Certain Drug Crimes, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons Prevented From Having One.

Both individuals were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of $50,000 bail with no 10% option. Parsippany-Troy Hills Chief of Police Paul Philipps and Detective Sgt. Lesiak, Parsippany Narcotics Unit Supervisor, would like to thank all of the Detectives and Officers who assisted in the investigation.

Man on trial for fatal Parsippany crash not ‘a criminal,’ attorney says

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Sep 29, 2015

MORRISTOWN — A 61-year-old driver from Dover caused the death of a pedestrian on Route 10 in Parsippany, but that doesn’t make him “a criminal,” his attorney said Tuesday. Meanwhile, the prosecutor argued, Fabio Aristizabal was responsible for the death of 64-year-old Richard Oberst, because he was under the influence of alcohol and was driving “recklessly”…

Letter to the editor: Rats North Beverwyck Road, Let Freedom Ring

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Sep 29, 2015

Dear Editor:

While doing my litter walk to bank this morning, I noticed that rats were visible at Hiawatha and North Beverwyck Roads. This location has been reported by me several times as being in violation of good sanitation and house-keeping practices; as well as several other ongoing addresses in the area. No enforcement or proper communications are occurring at all. The excuse I get is that Parsippany is so big and they can’t be everywhere all the time, is a weak one. Is the whole town in need of inspections? One must pick the chronic and known, on-going, and obvious problems and concentrate on them. A recycle officer makes up to $85 thousand, I believe.

Mayor James Barberio claimed during the Waterview hearings that it was somehow his obligation to create jobs for the outside forces. He neglects making sure his own employees do their jobs correctly. He prefers hiding the truth with flags and flowers. In reality there is no sanitation along North Beverwyck. Restaurants and food establishments use municipal receptacles; and plastic bags, both for trash and recycle for their waste; including food waste.

How can establishments get away with not having proper waste containers and services to separate and remove food waste properly? Is this how the administration gains favor and votes from the local and corporate business establishments?

It appears so overwhelming. This is not the first time this person has seen rats along North Beverwyck. Any proper inspection would reveal violations of any sane and proper codes of health and sanitation. Perhaps some higher authority needs to investigate the allowance of improper ordinance enforcement, a laissez faire attitude that does not serve the community but the business and outside property owners. We have forgotten what clean is as trash is everywhere, but nowhere are the obligations and responsibilities of officials and property owners. This can only occur where rats in high places see not rats in reality. The day has come to enforce the laws and keep our spaces free of litter trash and have usufructuary responsibilities of a higher standard especially with the abundance of food waste on North Beverwyck.

These rats need be handled properly as to not poison other species that may feed on them. This calls for an organized force stemming from the municipal authorities; Mayor, Police, Sanitation, Health and Housing. Taxpayers deserve better, an examination of salaries in these field demand a better performance. Below some salary examples; we have no bang for the buck.

Senior Housing Inspector $27,000-$70,000

Recycling Enforcement Officer $29,000-$85,000

Aide Trainee $15,000-$38,000

Specialist Public Health $25,000-$62,000

Nicholas Homyak

Editors Note: On August 14, 2015 Parsippany Focus reported on this same issue. Click here to read article.

Letter to the editor: Poems about what many refer to as Schedulegate

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Sep 29, 2015

Dear Editor:

The following poems were written by a Parsippany Parent in the past month in reference to series of events that led the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District into what many refer to as Schedulegate.

Part 1:

Twas the day before school started and all through the town,
When the kids in the middle schools were really let down.
They waited all summer for their schedules to arrive,
When they logged onto Genesis it seemed to take a nose dive.
There were many kids with out any classes,
As the parents thought what a bunch of Asses.
The Superintendent had this really great plan,
Let’s change the schedule, I don’t give a damn.
If you asked the teachers they said it would fail,
However to get his bonus, the plan must prevail.
He moved forward and got paid for his goal,
It is time for the Board to regain control.
As parents we all must take a stand,
For our kid’s future is at hand.
Enough is enough, we can no longer be silent,
We need to put an end, and stop the tyrant.

Part 2: The Story Continues

Twas a few days after middle school when all through the town,
when Mr. Rixford, the Superintendent, could no longer be found.
From the start, he upset a whole bunch of teachers,
With disgust we all watched from the bleachers.
The dress code was the first thing he wanted to change,
Worrying about rivets, now it seems so strange.
He continued to rule with an iron fist,
As he guided most Board Members by their wrists.
The Middle School schedule was another item on his list,
When the board approved the change, the parents were pissed.
If you asked the teachers, the said it would not work,
Yet he cashed in his bonus check with a really big smirk.
He came to the district with his master plan,
chances are it will result in him getting canned.
His big changes, he hoped, would be his claim to fame,
Yet when put to the test, put the district to shame.
The first day of school the kids were with out their class assignment,
To bad his contract, was not on consignment.
With no schedules in hand, he said it was a glitch,
When in reality, he was starting to twitch.
As expected his plan seemed to have failed,
it is time for his ship to raise the sail.
The moral of the story is for the board to listen,
to the people who voted them in to their position.
While the Board and his team thought this was a grand slam,
It was the Counselors and Teachers who got them out of this jam.
The parents are outraged with the issues at hand,
Don’t be surprise if we come out and take a stand.

Part 3:

Twas the night of the meeting, The first of the school year.
When the parents of Parsippany, began to appear.
The came out in full force, ready to take a stand.
To speak about the redesign, which seemed to take a crash land.
The story at hand, that I want to share,
Is to tell a story for those that may be unaware.
Well over a year ago, the hunt was on,
To find a Superintendent the district could rely upon.
The Board found Mr. Rixford, they said he was the man.
Who eventually came up with, what we will call the master plan.
The middle school schedule at the top of the list,
Is when this story took a twist.
The parents, the teachers, were against it from the start,
Yet the board approved this thinking it it was state of the art.
There was a lot to absorb, so much to discuss,
Unfortunately the board failed to listen to us.
For Rixford’s goals, he had to succeed,
His plan was passed with light speed.
He presented his plan, which the board approved his check,
Yet from the start, this was a train wreck.
A week before school started the schedules came out,
It was at that point the parents began to doubt.
Mr. Rixford said that there was a little glitch,
Apparently new schedules was not his niche.
He tried his best to pass the buck,
As his master plan ran amuck.
The middle schools were in major trouble,
Yet he remained in his bubble.
As Superintendent he was paid top dollar,
So the parents began to hollar.
When things began, to get really heated,
Is when it seems that he was defeated.
When we needed him most he seemed to bail,
For his plan was nothing but a fairy tale.
With Mr. Rixford no longer in site
The schedules were still not right.
To correct the problem the board had to decide,
That it is time to swallow their pride.
Nine periods is what the middle school needs,
As they began to apologize on their knees.
The moral of the story as you see,
Is that the board should not be afraid to disagree..

Part 4: Back by Popular Demand

T’was the night of another Board Meeting, a month after the initial schedule release date,
When the people came out to vent frustration over what is now called Schedulegate.
If you have not been following, I could fill you in over a cup of tea,
However you probably should read part one, two, and three.
We left off when the decision was made to switch back in time,
When both middle schools were running just fine.
We were told this process would take a lot of time,
All of this funded on the taxpayer’s dime.
The night of the meeting Dr. Gigante addressed the crowd,
She announced the schedule was fixed, she seemed so proud
This process to fix this mess should have taken at least five weeks,
But she sped up the process and fixed it in 9 days, as she continued to speak.
She recognized the counselors, supervisors, building administrators, and academic technology staff.
I’m just wondering if they were all paid time and a half.
A big thanks to all those who helped fixed this big mess,
We all know it has caused a whole bunch of stress.
The meeting continued like nothing was wrong,
When the Public portion was open when we learned Rixford said so long.
The Board and administrators tried to hide the fact,
That Mr. Rixford was planning on breaking his pact.
It was a parent, who mentioned this to the crowd,
When she was done, the audience clapped really loud.
A topic that was important as this,
Should not have been pushed through, hoping it would be missed.
The citizens of Parsippany are ready to take a stand and fight,
To find out what happened, this is our right.
His plan was pushed as being so elementary,
Yet when it failed, he rode off into the sunset in his Bentley.
Many did not like him due to his ego trip,
Yet when things where rough, he was the first off the sinking ship.
Now that he is no longer around,
It seems as though everyone is jumping up and down.
As the district begins doing damage control,
There is no doubt this fiaso has taken its toll.
The moral of the strory has left with me writer’s cramp,
Maybe the Board and District should put away the rubber stamp.

Name withheld upon request

Bowl with Employment Horizons for a Scary Good Time

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Sep 29, 2015

CEDAR KNOLLS — Join us for the annual Employment Horizons Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser featuring a Halloween theme complete with costumed bowlers and prizes.

Sponsored by the New Jersey office of Avison Young, the Bowl-A-Thon supports the Cedar Knolls based nonprofit agency that provides job training and placement services to individuals with disabilities. Additional sponsors include Matthijssen, Inc. and VFW Watnong Post #3401. Volunteers from Avison Young and Tiffany & Co. will be on hand to assist with the day’s events.

The Bowl-A-Thon will be held on Sunday, October 25 from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m. at Hanover Lanes, East Hanover.

The fundraiser is one of the most anticipated of the year for the organization’s program participants, who begin asking about the event in June! The event provides hard-working people with disabilities a special celebration, while raising money to enhance job skills training.

This year, Employment Horizons again welcomes retired professional bowler Jeff Morin. Morin joined the Professional Bowlers Association in 1988. He was a three time television finalist, eight time regional PBA champion, PBA Regional Player of the Year 1998, two time NJ All Events Champion, and has 56 perfect games. Morin is excited to give back and looks forward to providing bowling tips and tricks to Employment Horizons’ program participants. Last year, Morin signed autographs and took photos with bowlers to the delight of all the guests! Anyone can join in the fun while supporting the agency’s mission, by purchasing tickets online for $20.00 each or becoming a lane, lunch or costume sponsor. Checks may also be mailed to Employment Horizons, 10 Ridgedale Ave., Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927.

Those unable to bowl can show their support by joining the Bowl-A-Thon luncheon for $5.00 or by making a Bowl-A-Thon donation. Pre-registration is required by October 16^th. For further information, visit www.emhorizons.org or contact Karen Rynearson, Community Relations Assistant at (973) 538-8822, ext. 228 or e-mail krynearson@ehorizons.org.

Law Enforcement Development Course Kicks off in Parsippany

By

Nicolas Limanov

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Sep 29, 2015

PARSIPPANY − The Fall Session of the Law Enforcement Development Course kicked off Monday, September 28 at the Morris County Public Safety Academy.

There are approximately 70 students from various colleges and universities around the area participating in this semesters program. Undersheriff William Schievella who organizes and runs the entire course started of the first session by introducing some law enforcement professionals who spoke to the group of the students.

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The Law Enforcement Development Course is a 10-week course for college students interested in developing a career in law enforcement.

The course is a cooperative venture of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the county’s Department of Law and Public Safety and the New Jersey Community Affairs Officers Association in partnership with colleges, universities and law enforcement groups throughout New Jersey.

Participants were introduced to the work of law enforcement to broaden their perspectives and understanding of the criminal justice system and to better understand what it takes to enter the field of law enforcement.

“The image of a law enforcement officer, for many, is formed by what they see on television or in the movies,” Kathy DeFillippo said. “The students who take this career development course will soon learn their perception of what it’s like to be a law enforcement officer is not reality.”

“This course was truly amazing, very informative and fun, and I got to meet some real professional law enforcement officers and build relationships with them and with the other students in the class as well, said Nicolas Limanov, one of the graduates. “I learned some neat tricks on how to stand out at an interview and what a perfect resume should look like. And best of all it was all for free because of the so many volunteers from various agencies who took the time out of their busy schedules to come and teach us. Special Thanks to William Schievella for all your hard work in putting together and running this program and the Morris County Freeholders as well for having this in the budget,” he said.

The Law Enforcement Career Development Course is a highly competitive program that was created in 2010, and it is the first of its kind in New Jersey. The course is recommended for college students interested in criminal justice, social sciences, and justice studies, as well as those students who are undecided but have an interest in pursuing careers in the field of legal justice.

Students got a closer look at law enforcement by being exposed to practical scenarios and hands-on instruction.

“The hands-on instruction given to the students is the critical component of this course,” said Freeholder Doug Cabana, the freeholder board’s liaison to Law and Public Safety. “It provides the students with exposure to the real world of law enforcement to help them determine if this career field is right for them.”

The Law Enforcement Career Development Course covered topics ranging from domestic violence, mock crime scenes and defensive tactics to dressing for success, health and wellness and preparing for the written and psychological exams.

The Morris County Public Safety Training Academy is located at 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany.

Par Hills Cross Country team held Car Wash

By

Nicolas Limanov

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Sep 29, 2015

Cross County members Gordip Singh, Jack Summa, Adam Giovanello, Nicky Parekh and Jimmy Fox

Andriana Levytsky and Riya Patel holding signs promoting the car wash

PARSIPPANY − The Pasippany Hills Cross Country Team held a car was this past Sunday, September 27 to raise funds for their team. The car wash was held at Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3, Halsey Road.

Cross County member washing the Police vehicle during the fundraiser — Cross County member Jimmy Fox washing the Police vehicle during the fundraiser

Today is National Coffee Day!

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Sep 29, 2015