PARSIPPANY — Mt. Tabor celebrated the 146th Annual Children’s Day Weekend, starting on Thursday, August 6 through Sunday, August 9.
The King is Noah Munn; Queen is Hannah Ververs; First Attendants are Rachei Bozza and Harrison Weaver; and Second Attendant are Brianne Partington and Jamaai Parker.
The 2015 Mt. Tabor Children’s Day is all about paying tribute to the children of Tabor.
The 146-year-old celebration, which kicked off Thursday and the parade, concert and fire works took place Saturday throughout the historic Parsippany neighborhood.
Presiding over the special day is the led by King is Noah Munn and Queen is Hannah Ververs. The monarchs and their court will be crowned at the yearly coronation ball held for Mt. Tabor residents and guests Friday evening.
The centerpiece event of the day is the annual Midway Parade.
Another parade kicked off at approximately 7:00 p.m. This event featured the prize winners and Parsippany’s Volunteer Fire Districts, Ambulance Squads, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.
The evening ended with a concert featuring “Herman’s Hermits” at the country club and then fireworks.
The concert and fireworks are funded by Margaret and Francis X. Wentworth.
Other weekend events, since their inception 145 years ago, have been funded by the residents who volunteer their time, effort and money through fund raising events including a bake sale, pancake breakfast, car wash, hoagie sale and house to house collections.
The Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department provided a barbecue dinner to all of the local emergency responders who participated in the parade.
Herman’s Hermits performed after the parade.
Grand Marshall Wayne Englehardt
The parade continues
Steve Cisco from Mt. Tabor Fire Department
Jeff Swenson, Ambassador of Good Will of Morristown Fire Department hands Steve Cisco a certificate honoring the Mt. Tabor Fire Department for 105 years of community service
King Noah Munn and Queen Hannah Ververs
First Attendants Harrison Weaver and Rachael Bozza
Second Attendants Jamaal Parker and Brianne Partington
The Magic Dragon: Hudson Catanzaro
The United Methodist Church at Mt. Tabor
Breanne Calabrese and Aaron Bauer, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Dan Morgan, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Paul Anderson and Chief John Tranculov
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Captain Louis Yuliano, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid Squad
Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid Squad volunteers Julia Ruggier and Gina Pasquale
Andres Felipe Giraldo, Parsippany Fire District 5
Karen DeChristopher, OEM
Nicolas Limanov, Al Goldberg and Edy Toussaint
Lake Hiawatha Fire Department receiving a citation from Jeff Swenson, Ambassador of Good Will of Morristown Fire Department
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 4
Lake Hiawatha Fire Department receiving a citation from Jeff Swenson, Ambassador of Good Will of Morristown Fire Department
CHESTER — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announced the arrest of several cocaine traffickers following a two month drug investigation in western Morris County.
Members of the Chester Borough Police Department received information regarding cocaine distribution within their jurisdiction. Thereafter, an investigation commenced and intelligence was developed by members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Chester Borough Police and officers assigned to the Morris County Narcotics Task Force.
Multiple individuals were identified as the persons alleged to be distributing cocaine from their residence.
On August 14, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at a residence in the Long Valley section of Washington Township. As a result, about 262 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street retail value in excess of $16,000, various packaging and distribution materials, and some $15,000 in U.S. currency were seized.
The Narcotics Task Force subsequently arrested Arnoldo Castro Balcarcel, 42, Long Valley; Gerson Manuel Castro Balcarcel, 19, Long Valley; and Rolando Cabrera Hernandez, 24, Long Valley.
The trio has been charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely cocaine, in a quantity greater than 5 ounces, plus third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
They were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morris Township default of $250,000 bail.
A fourth suspect, Oscar Castro Balcarcel, of Long Valley, was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine. He was issued a summons and released.
Judge Ira Cohen authorized the warrant complaints and bails for the defendants.
“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit continues to combat dangerous drugs being distributed throughout Morris County,” said Prosecutor Knapp.
“The success of these investigations and the efforts against narcotics related offenses is not possible without our municipal, county and state partners, who not only contribute to intelligence gathering efforts but also supply officers to the Morris County Narcotics Task Force.”
The prosecutor said the following agencies played a prominent role in the investigation: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Chester Borough Police Department, Washington Township Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
The investigation was led by Captain Michael Rice and Lieutenant V. Harrison Dillard of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division and Chester Borough Police Chief David Jara.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan of the Special Operations Division and supervised by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Matilda A. Mola, 66, of Mountain Lakes, has been sentenced today in connection with the forgery of $136,800.00 worth of checks.
On May 19, 2015, Mola pled guilty to ten counts of forgery, which are third degree crimes.
Superior Court Judge William J. McGovern, III, today sentenced Mola to a five years of probation, after which she must serve 364 days in the Morris County Corrections Facility.
Mola also was ordered to pay the remaining amount of restitution totaling $114,460.00. Prior to her sentencing, Mola paid $22,340 in restitution.
This prosecution stemmed from Mola’s action of forging her sister’s name on ten courtesy checks totaling $136,800.00 from a Bank of America line of credit account. The account belonged to her sister and brother, Mary and Joseph Mola.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Francine S. Ehrenberg represented the state during the prosecution.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Financial Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, for their efforts on this case.
It’s a cool start to Friday across New Jersey, but it will get much warmer. Although some parts of northwestern New Jersey are reporting temperatures in the low 50s as of 7 a.m, it won’t stay that way. Forecasters are calling for another sunny, warm afternoon which will lead into an even hotter weekend. PLUS: Early…
PARSIPPANY — For the past several months many Lake Hiawatha residents have lamented to Parsippany Focus that a growing rodent problem is occurring in and around the business district along North Beverwyck Road in Lake Hiawatha. The mayor’s office has been alerted to the infestation problem and any resident observing rats (or rat droppings) should immediately contact the mayor’s action center.
An ordinance that is currently being considered by the Town Council will limit the amount of household and business trash that may be deposited in township trash cans along North Beverwyck Road. Penalties for violating the ordinance include fines of up to $2500 for first offenders and up to $10,000 in fines for every subsequent offense. To read the entire ordinance, click here.
For years, receptacles have overflowed with trash, to the point where they fill up almost as soon as trash is collected by the township.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Joseph Roman meets with Governor Christie at Seaside Park.
Roman, of the Glacier Hills section of Parsippany, was chosen as a Distinguished Alumnus for the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), in 2013.
He is an adjunct professor at NJIT, where he teachers business and management.
Joe is involved in Technology Sales and Marketing, and a local business leader and Trustee at Morris Catholic High School.
Roman attended Saint Christopher School, and graduated from Morris Catholic High School in Denville. Roman earned bachelor’s degree in management at Alvernia University in Reading, PA, and his master’s degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Roman and his wife, Danielle, have three children: Joseph Jr., Christopher and Nicholas.
He is a member of the Parsippany Knights of Columbus and is involved in local politics as a county committeeman. He is also involved in the Parsippany Youth Sports Program as a soccer and Little League baseball coach and as a team sponsor.
Prior to starting the Accelerant Sales Group 13 years ago Roman had worked as a senior manager for Dialogic and later was sales director of Intel Corporation where he was recognized as the leading corporate sales manager and received numerous sales and marketing honors and recognitions.
PARSIPPANY — A group of fifteen Parsippany High School students, four teachers and two administrators met for a summer book club.
The students and staff involved all read the young adult novel We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. After having some snacks and drinks, the group discussed and analyzed the novel, sharing their insight and questions.
The best part of the day was when the group took out their phones and did some live tweeting with the author. The author answered their questions for forty-five minutes using the hashtag #phsreads.
Some of the topics included her inspiration for the book; a potential film based on the book; her use of fairy tales as a plot device; and the themes of family, friendship, grief and race. It was a great day for all involved.
HANOVER — Morris County’s newest Wegmans Food Market should be open by the first half of 2017, according Jeanne Colleluori, a Wegmans spokeswoman.
Construction is underway on a long-awaited Wegmans Food Market in Hanover. According to Ms. Colleluori, the company is working on designing plans for the interior. She stated all the products and services offered at other Wegmans locations in the Garden State, should be offered in the new store.
Most stores have pizzerias and buffets with sit-down areas to enjoy food.
Colleluori has previously said shoppers can look forward to “consistent low prices and incredible service” at the store, which will have “a focus on restaurant quality foods” and “organic options in every department.”
There are seven other New Jersey locations: Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Manalapan, Mount Laurel, Ocean, Princeton, and Woodbridge Township.
Trees were cleared from the 38.5 acre site — for the Wegmans Food Store and other retail stores, including possibly a bank — located close to the intersection of Ridgedale Avenue and Sylvan Way, in the Mack-Cali Business Campus off of Route 10 in Parsippany.
The site work is visible to Route 287 south, past the Entin Road exit and before the Route 10 exit.
In 2013, Hanover Planning Board approved a 140,000 square-foot Wegmans supermarket along with three restaurant buildings, a bank building and parking for 1,178 cars at Sylvan Way and Ridgedale Avenue located on the northern side of Route 10 across from Ridgedale on what is now vacant wooded land.
The entrance exit would entail a jug handle on Route 10 at an extension of Ridgedale Avenue across Route 10.
Wegmans would be one of the largest supermarkets in Morris County and, at 120,000 square feet, larger even than the gargantuan 80,000-square foot ShopRite of Morristown on East Hanover Avenue that opened November 2013.
The site will use water and sewer from Parsippany-Troy Hills for the property, under an agreement that dates back some 25 years, and was renewed by the Township Council in 2013.
Making way for a new Wegmans Food Store
The heavy equipment is clearing the site
More heavy equipment
Drainage pipes ready to be installed
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a privately held U.S. regional supermarket chain headquartered in Gates, New York, near Rochester. Wegmans has 85 stores in the mid-Atlantic and New England regions, in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Founded in 1916 in Rochester, Wegmans has appeared on Fortune’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list since the list first appeared in 1998, and has ranked among the top 10 for eight consecutive years. Food Network recognized it with its award for Best Grocery Store in 2007, and Consumer Reports ranked it the top large U.S. grocery chain in 2012 and in 2014. It was also profiled as part of “Here Are The Jobs” segment on Politics Nation on July 6, 2012.
Danny Wegman is CEO. His daughter, Colleen Wegman, is president; his other daughter, Nicole Wegman, is vice-president of restaurant operations. His father, Robert, who died in 2006, was chairman. Robert was the son of co-founder Walter. During his life, Robert Wegman distinguished himself as a pioneer in the retail food business, as well as a generous donor to educational institutions and other charities.
The owner of the property is Hanover 3201, stands for the tax lot number of the site, is a subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty LP.
The site is approximately 4.5 miles from the failed Whole Foods site on Waterview Boulevard.
Water use in New Jersey has increased, which environmentalists say could cause problems during the next drought. The total amount of water used by families, businesses, and two nuclear power plants rose by 110 million gallons per day between 2000 and 2010, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. That amounts to an increase of…
PARSIPPANY — A Video Game Con, a video game convention dedicated to both retro and modern gaming, will take place Saturday, September 19, at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.
The convention will start at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 11:45 p.m.
The event in celebration of all things video gaming and will offer many game-related activities including free to play arcade and gaming consoles, indie developer showcases, gaming tournaments, musical performances, special guests and cosplay.
It will also bring together some of the best video game vendors in the tri-state area for buying, selling, and trading games as well as vendors selling customized apparel and unique artwork.
The convention is organized by ButtonSmasher, LLC, a company founded by Paul Solomine, a local video game enthusiast and collector.
Special guests scheduled to attend AVGC include:
• Billy Mitchell: video game arcade record holder and legend
• Richie Knucklez: arcade owner, classic arcade restorer, and Arcade Culture Webshow host
• Brain Nelson aka DJ Wheels: Asteroids arcade world record holder
• Lua Suicide: alternative model, cosplayer, and SuicideGirl
• Elena Blueskies: NYC-based cosplayer
• Toni X Temptress: local cosplayer
• Clown Queen: local cosplayer
• Jules Starn: local cosplayer
• Shock: video game tournament guru, Mortal Kombat legend, and owner of KombatNetwork
The convention will feature a musical performance showcase, including the following acts:
• Chipocrite: Mixing the sounds of a Nintendo GameBoy and contemporary influences, the legendary chiptune artist, Chipocrite (Paul Weinstein), has composed music for live performances such as Vans Warp Tour, MAGFest, AnimeNext and various video games such as Beard Wars and EarthNight.
• Kris Keyser: Using retro technology, another chiptune veteran, Kris Keyser, composes low-bit songs and soundtracks. Kris has performed at notable shows such as Blip Festival, PAX East and MAGFest. His music has been featured in the 8bitpeoples label, and several indie games such as Armillo: The Parallel Universe Mystery and Chip Beat Blaster.
• Montclair Gamer Symphony Orchestra: Formed by a local ensemble of gamers with musical talents, the Montclair Gamer Symphony Orchestra performs live orchestral music from fan favorite games such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Halo and Pokemon.
• The Schwam: This multi-genre group consists of members Brandon Bachrach, Jason Basner, Jon Rosario, Mike Marguccio and Bryan George. They cover a variety of music from the funky tunes of the 70’s to the trumpet pumping sounds of ska from the 90’s, including their own unique video game covers.
• 10th Dimension & Parallax: This dynamic EDM proudcer/DJ duo consist of Nima Moayer and Armin Papp, two musicians who are looking to bring their creative twist by changing up conventional beats and blending the genres of house, electro, breakbeat, dubstep, trap, hip-hop, and drum n bass in a single set.
What’s there to do at AVGC?
Cosplay Contests
Meet Special Guests
Musical Performances by chiptune DJs and rock bands
Panels about video game history, culture & more.
Pro & Casual Video Game Tournaments
Auctions/Raffles/Giveaways
Indie Video Game Developers
Video Game themed Burlesque show
Food to satisfy your caloric intake needs
Console Freeplay
and so much more.
The convention will also feature a special video game burlesque performance by Lily Stiches and the Ink & Paint Burlesque troupe.
Ticket prices range from $15.00 to $50.00 and can be purchased in advance. For tickets click here. For more information on the event, or other events, click here.
PARSIPPANY – A doctor with practices in Nassau County, New York, was charged with accepting bribes in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), 181 New Road, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Bret Ostrager, 50, of Woodbury, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with one count of conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Federal Travel Act, three substantive violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and four substantive violations of the Federal Travel Act. Ostrager is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Stanley Chesler on August 19, 2015.
Ostrager is the first defendant to be indicted in connection with the BLS bribery scheme. To date, 38 people – 26 of them doctors – have pleaded guilty in connection with the bribery scheme, which its organizers have admitted involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies. It is believed to be the largest number of medical professionals ever prosecuted in a bribery case. The investigation has to date recovered more than $11.5 million through forfeiture.
According to the indictment:
Between February 2011 and April 2013, Ostrager received monthly cash bribes of approximately $3,300.00 from BLS employees and associates. He periodically solicited and received from the BLS employees and associates tickets and meals that cost thousands of dollars. These additional bribes in response to specific requests from Ostrager included tickets to a New York Mets baseball game, a New York Knicks basketball game, a Katy Perry concert, a Justin Bieber concert, and the Broadway show “Newsies.” In exchange, Ostrager referred patient blood samples to BLS. Ostrager’s referrals generated approximately $909,000.00 in lab business for BLS.
If convicted, Ostrager faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison on each of the counts on which he is charged. Each count also carries a maximum $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen; and inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates, with the ongoing investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph N. Minish and Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Senior Litigation Counsel Andrew Leven, and Jacob T. Elberg, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Ward, Acting Chief of the office’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman reorganized the health care fraud practice at the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office shortly after taking office, including creating a stand-alone Health Care and Government Fraud Unit to handle both criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of health care fraud offenses. Since 2010, the office has recovered more than $635 million in health care fraud and government fraud settlements, judgments, fines, restitution and forfeiture under the False Claims Act, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other statutes.
Thursday will be much like Wednesday weather-wise in New Jersey. So will Friday, Saturday and Sunday for that matter. It means several days of sunny skies, seasonable temperatures and next to no threat of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Highs will reach the mid 80s this afternoon as well as on Friday. Saturday and…
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus confirmed today with the Internal Revenue Service that the controversial Super PAC, America’s Future First (AFF), has still not filed any 2015 quarterly reports per federal law. In what residents are colloquially calling “Parsippany PAC-Gate” or just “PAC-gate”, this paper previously reported that virtually all donors to the Super PAC had contracts or ties to the Township of Parsippany Troy-Hills.
One of the smaller donors to the Super PACwas the law firm of Archer & Greiner of Haddonfield, NJ; a firm the Star Ledger reported as being one of the largest legal clients of New Jersey under Governor Christie. When Parsippany Focus originally noted that Archer & Greiner was an AFF donor, there was no apparent connection between the law firm and the Township.
It has since been revealed that Archer & Greiner has been retained by computer forensic expert Matthew Ferrante and his firm Aurora Information and Security Risk, a company which has billed the Township nearly $1,000,000 for imaging the computer hard drive of former Parsippany Police Captain James Carifi. Aurora has since negotiated their bill down to approximately $220,000.
Ferrante and his computer firm have been named as one of the defendants in a lawsuit Captain Carifi filed against the Township, Mayor James Barberio, and Township Attorney John Inglesino.
The Super PAC that Ferrante’s attorney donated money to is the same organization which supported Councilman Michael dePierro and his running mates this past spring. The Super PAC spent nearly $200,000 in trying to oust Carifi’s brother, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr. in the June primary. Paul Carifi, Jr. ultimately won the most votes in the hotly contested GOP primary.
A long stretch of sunny, dry weather in New Jersey lies ahead. Following a Tuesday with periods of heavy rain, Wednesday looks ideal. It’s in the 60s as of 7 a.m. and will warm into the mid 80s this afternoon under sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service. Along the shore temperatures will be a…
Keep that umbrella handy, there’s more rain on the way Tuesday if it’s not already pouring in your area. Strong rain and winds are expected to continue throughout the night, possibly making the evening commute a difficult one, according to forecasters. As of 3 p.m., a line of scattered thunderstorms with torrential rainfall is bearing down…
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Washington Township Police Chief Michael Bailey announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation into the Saturday, April 18 motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a sixty eight year old male on West Mill Road in Washington Township.
On April 18, 2015 at 5:28 p.m., Washington Township Police received a 911 call of a motor vehicle crash in the area of 338 West Mill Road. A 1961 Chevrolet Corvette was struck by a 2013 Lexus SUV. The sole occupant of the Corvette, a 68 years old male, was injured and died as a result of his injuries.
The investigation revealed that the 1961 Corvette was travelling West on West Mill Road. Also during this time a 2013 Lexus RX was traveling East on West Mill Road. The Lexus crossed over the center double line for unknown reasons striking the Corvette head-on, causing the fatal injuries to the sole occupant of the Corvette.
After a thorough investigation by law enforcement, and in coordination with the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police Forensics Laboratory, no evidence of criminal conduct was found on the part of the driver of the Lexus. Analysis of the driver’s blood did not reveal the presence of any substance that would have impaired one’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. As such, no criminal charges are forthcoming arising out of this incident.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank Police Chief Michael Bailey and the Washington Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section, the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their collective assistance in this matter.
PARSIPPANY — State and Federal filings from the Super PACs at the heart of the 2015 Parsippany GOP Primary are beginning to appear on NJ ELEC and IRS Websites, albeit very late. NJ’s Future First (NJFF) and it’s parent PAC, America’s Future First (AFF) submitted their first filings just days before the June 2015 Primary.
While both Super PACs incorporated in July 2014, the Internal Revenue Service did not receive AFF‘s first filings until May 11, 2015, just days before the June 2 Parsippany Primary. Per law, reports are due to the IRS quarterly; April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 31.
America’s Future First (AFF)
For the period July 1 through September 30, 2014 and due the following month, the IRS did not receive AFF‘s first filing until nearly 7 months after the due date. For that reporting period, $61,254.45 was raised by the Super PAC from donations from three different sources.
Adams, Rehmann & Heggan Associates, Inc, an engineering firm, donated to AFF six times during the first reporting period for a total contribution of $21,000. Adams, Rehmann & Heggan was recently awarded a no-bid professional services contract with the Township of Parsippany. According to the Parsippany Finance department, on July 1, 2015 Adams was paid $18,797.50 for engineering work provided to the township.
Another firm with close ties to the township also donated to AFF during the first reporting period. Fairview Insurance, the Township’s Insurance Broker of Record donated $35,254.45. Business & Government Insurance Agency, Inc of Woodbridge donated an additional $5,000 to the Super PAC.
For the reporting period October 1 through December 31, 2014 and due by January 31, 2015, AFF submitted its filing 4 months late and it was received by the IRS on May 11, 2015 as well.
During the second reporting period, AFF received $26,490.20 in donations from four different sources. The law firm of Archer & Greiner of Haddonfield, NJ, a firm the Star Ledger reported as being one of the largest legal clients of New Jersey under Governor Christie, donated $1000 to AFF. Adam’s Rehmann, & Heggan Associates donated an additional $12,950.00 which brought their total contribution for 2014 to $33,950.00.
Ryan Graham
Fairview Insurance donated an additional $540.20 during this reporting period, but the Director of Business Development for Fairview Insurance and liaison to the Township of Parsippany, Ryan Graham, son of the founder of the firm, donated $12,000.00 to the Super PAC during this reporting period.
It should be noted that the April 15 and July 15, 2015 contribution reports have still not been received by the IRS. The IRS confirmed this with Parsippany Focus this afternoon.
In 2014, aside from retaining the law firm Duane Morris, America’s Future First donated all of its funds to New Jersey’s First.
New Jersey’s Future First (NJFF)
Unlike its parent Super PAC, New Jersey’s Future First has not filed any reports with the IRS. However, NJFF must file disclosure forms with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJELEC). Since its inception, NJFF has been required to file 13 campaign disclosures with NJELEC. Nearly all were filed late, some nearly 10 months late.
In total, NJFF has received $158,200.00 in donations; all from one source. America’s Future First. Since AFF reported donations of $87,744.65 for 2014 but has not yet filed any reports for 2015, at least $70,455.35 was raised during the first part of 2015.
It is very difficult to decipher NJFF’s ELEC filings as each report has critical errors. For example, NJFF reports on all of its forms that no amount over $300 was ever received by the Super PAC, yet the exact opposite is true. In fact, through June 23, 2015 AFF has contributed $156,200.00 to NJFF, $155,900.00 more than the $300.00 contribution limit.
Among the Super PAC’s biggest expenses was Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio’s former political consultant, Alan Zakin. According to ELEC filings NJFF has paid Zakin $26,550 with what appears to be additional $3440 still due to him.
Another $76,500.00 was paid to Bluewater Operations out of Clifton, New Jersey. Bluewater provided the campaign headquarters for the Super PAC, paid the Super PAC’s campaign workers and provided “street money” in Parsippany during this past Parsippany GOP primary. Bluewater is no stranger to controversy.
Ryan Graham and Alan Zakin
As previously reported in Parsippany Focus, During an April 1, 2015 meeting with Morris County Republican Chairman John Sette, Freeholders John Krickus, Dave Scapicchio, and Denville Councilwoman Deborah Smith, Alan Zakin shared with the group that he was working with an organization spearheaded by Fairview Insurance Executive Ryan Graham that was going to spend money in the Parsippany Republican Primary to aid incumbent Councilman Mike dePierro and his team to help defeat incumbent Council President Paul Carifi, Jr. and his running mates. Although Super PACS may support candidates, there can be no interaction between the Super PAC and an individual candidate.
Although Councilman dePierro has steadfastly denied any involvement with either NJFF or AFF and denied that he had ever visited the Super Pac’s headquarters in Lake Parsippany, two witnesses have told Parsippany Focus that they witnessed both Mr. dePierro and his running mate former Councilman Vincent Ferrara at the Super PAC’s office.
“These Parsippany Super PACS are becoming a political cancer which must be stopped from spreading.” Councilman Louis Valori told Parsippany Focus recently. “These Super PACs are corrupting the foundation of honest government and it must stop now.”
Sources tell Parsippany Focus that the Election Law Enforcement Commission has opened an investigation into ELEC violations.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department will be cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the 2015 Labor Day Statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Beginning Friday, August 21 and running through Monday, September 7, local and state law enforcement officers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is a national campaign designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement and public education tools, including posters, banners and mobile video display signs. Launched across the U.S. in 1999, the program works to combat drunk driving during the busy summer travel season, including the Labor Day holiday period.
“More than 10,000 people are killed in the United States each year in alcohol impaired driving crashes, and these crashes cost our society nearly $50 billion annually,” said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “There is a zero tolerance message for this campaign. If drivers are caught operating their vehicle while impaired they will be arrested.”
In 2013 alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 27 percent of New Jersey’s motor vehicle fatalities. As part of the initiative, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety provides grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to run the two• week campaign.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2015 crackdown offer the following advice:
If you plan to drink, designate a driver, someone who will not drink alcohol, before going
Take mass transit, a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you
Spend the night where the activity is
Report impaired drivers to law enforcement. In New Jersey, drivers may dial #77 to report a drunk or aggressive
Always buckle up, every ride, regardless of your seating position in the vehicle. It’s your best defense against an impaired
If you’re intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive you to your doorstep.
Rideshare company Uber, a ride share company, available 24 hours offers a $20.00 discount to new users. Click here to receive the discount.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany donated school supplies to the Parsippany Food Pantry, to be distributed to needy families in Parsippany.
Kiwanis Club Secretary (center) Karen Gajewski and Immediate Past President/Foundation President (right) Carol Tiesi presented the school supplies to Parsippany-Troy Hills Acting Director Human Services Michele Picone.
For more information on the Kiwanis Club, click here.