PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Class of 2015 is celebrating its “Senior Prom” at The Venetian in Garfield, on Thursday, June 4.
Parsippany High School Senior Prom
Kutztown University announces residents on Dean’s List
PARSIPPANY — More than 1,700 students have been named to the Spring 2015 Dean’s List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for Dean’s List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.
Students from Parsippany include Cara A Kohaut and Jean Marie Marsicovete.
Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia. As the region’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery. For more information, please visit us at www.kutztown.edu.
Parsippany Residents Attain Honors at Mount St. Dominic Academy
PARSIPPANY — Mount St. Dominic Academy has announced that the following Parsippany residents have attained first honors for the third marking period: Gianna Bevacqua’16, Marchella Bevacqua’17, Ina Gonzales’17, Katrina Hospes’18, Giuliana Iuso’15, Anne McDonnell’15, Marina Metcalf’15, Arianna Piscitelli’17, Emma Przyhocki’17, and Nicole Wilson’17. Michelle Pathil’16 and Jaqueline Smith’17 attained second honors.
First honors qualifications are comprised of the following: a total weighted average 92 or higher for major courses, all grades for major courses in the marking period must be 85 or higher, including all exam marks in the second and fourth marking periods and a passing grade is necessary in all other courses. Second honors qualifications are: a total weighted average for major courses 87 or higher, all grades for major courses in the marking period must be 80 or higher, including all exam marks in the second and fourth marking periods and a passing grade is necessary in all other courses.
Mount Saint Dominic Academy, established by the Sisters of St. Dominic in Caldwell, New Jersey, is a Catholic college preparatory school, dedicated to the education of young women from a variety of ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. Since 1892, The Mount has been empowering young women in the Dominican tradition. For more information about Mount Saint Dominic Academy, visit www.msdacademy.org.
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York Risk Services Group at Morris Corporate Center II
PARSIPPANY — CBRE Group Inc., New Jersey’s largest commercial real estate brokerage firm, announced it has arranged a lease for York Risk Services Group Inc. at Morris Corporate Center II, part of the six-pod office campus located at 1 Upper Pond Road and 300 Interpace Parkway. York Risk Services has signed a 33,000-square-foot lease for a 10-year term at the property.
The CBRE team of Leo Paytas and Greg Barkan, senior vice presidents; Garrett Rioux, senior associate, and Erin Wenzler, client services specialist, lead marketing efforts and secured the lease on behalf of the property’s owner, an affiliate of Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC. In addition, the CBRE team of Neil Kurtz, managing director; Helen Samuelson, director of asset services, and Ria Di Popolo, senior manager, oversee management of the office campus. York Risk Services was represented by Ben Onderdonk, associate director of portfolio account management, and George Grace, managing partner of Mohr Partners, Inc.
“York Risk Services is relocating its corporate headquarters to this Class A, state-of-the-art facility,” said Mr. Paytas. “The move will not only facilitate the company’s growth, but also reflects its market-leading image. Morris Corporate Center is widely recognized in the market for its world-class office space and its top-of-the-line roster of amenities. The on-going capital improvements at the office park will reinforce its status as a great space for York’s employees and their customers.”
Brookwood is investing approximately $3 million in capital improvements to Morris Corporate Center 1&2, which it expects will be completed in mid-2015. The improvements, led by the architectural firm Kimmerle Newman, include renovations to the two existing full-service cafeterias in Buildings 1 and 2; renovations to the existing fitness center in Building 1; the creation of a new conference center in Building 2; improvements to the signage at the property, and renovations to the lobby areas of Buildings 1 and 2.
The Morris Corporate Center I & II campus consists of 521,000 total square feet and offers superb access and high visibility for corporate tenants. The complex, which is three-quarters occupied, is just one mile from the four-way interchange of interstate routes 80 and 287, offering easy access to routes 46 and 202. The office park itself provides the quality and features that are fully consistent with a true corporate headquarters environment and its onsite property management ensures superb maintenance and immediately accessible building staff.
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2014 revenue). The Company has more than 52,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 370 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.
About Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC
Brookwood is a Massachusetts-based private investment firm founded in 1993 that specializes in acquiring and managing commercial real estate and corporate securities on behalf of a select group of institutional and high net worth investors, family offices and trusts. Since its inception, Brookwood has invested over $740 million of equity to acquire a portfolio of 149 assets with a realized and unrealized value in excess of $1.9 billion that has spanned multiple asset classes, geographical markets and industries across the United States.
350 workers in Parsippany lose jobs at GlaxoSmithKline
PARSIPPANY — The consolidation of GlaxoSmithKline’s and Novartis’ consumer health care businesses have cut 350 jobs of GlaxoSmithKline at their Littleton Road and Kimball Road locations.
The jobs were cut last month, the notice said, as part of a consolidation of the two operations:
“In March 2015, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis combined their consumer health care businesses into a joint venture,” the notice specifies. “The need to meet established financial and synergy targets and eliminate duplication is critical to the success of the joint venture and will necessitate a reduction in headcount at the Parsippany locations.”
Workers at two Parsippany facilities, 1500 Littleton Road and 200 Kimball Drive were affected. According to the WARN notice, workers were eligible for severance and benefits.
Affected positions include managers and employees in marketing and medical affairs, sales and operations, finance, information technology, consumer relations and regulatory affairs
WARN notices normally cover mass layoffs or facility closings as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1989.
Meanwhile, the company has been slashing jobs in other areas. Last year GSK announced plans to whittle down its Research Triangle Park, NC-based operations by 900 jobs–a decision affecting chemists, engineers, biologists, clinical development scientists, statisticians and others. And in March, the pharma giant said it would ratchet up that total, shedding 180 sales, managerial, operations, marketing and support staff roles–both in the field and in-house.
Giralda Farms Preserve Opens to the Public on National Trails Day
CHATHAM — The official public opening of the spectacular new Giralda Farms Preserve at Loantaka Brook Reservation in Chatham Township, a 136-acre natural area purchased and permanently preserved for public use with the assistance of a $10 million Morris County Open Space grant, will take place on Saturday, June 6, as part of a National Trails Day event in Morris County.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, jointly sponsored by Chatham Township and the Morris County Park Commission, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the trail head off Woodland Avenue in Chatham Township, a short distance from St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.
This joint effort preserves one of the largest remaining tracts of open space in southeastern Morris County. For the first time in more than a century, the public will be able to walk freely on what was already a private estate when Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge purchased it in 1916. After her death in 1973, the property became part of the Giralda Farms Corporate Park, off limits to the public behind a fence and guarded gatehouse.
But starting Saturday, the public will be invited to wander a current 1.2 mile network of hiking and off-road biking trails (which could be expanded in the future), which connects to the existing trail system at Loantaka Brook Reservation via Woodland Road.
In addition to the county open space grant, funding for the total $14.1 million preservation deal was provided by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program, Chatham Township Open Space Trust Fund, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation, Normandy Real Estate Partners, the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority and the Morris County Park Commission.
“This is a spectacular addition to the county’s existing network of natural lands and trails, which improves the quality of life for all residents of our county,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo. “It is testament to the continued importance of the county’s open space trust fund, which helps to make such important preservation projects possible.’’
“This project connects greenways and enhances the recreational opportunities for all residents of our county,’’ said Freeholder John Cesaro, county governing board liaison on preservation issues. “We thank all of the partners who worked to make this happen.’’
“This is a wonderful resource for Chatham Township as well as all of southeastern Morris County, which will be forever protected and open to the public,” said Chatham Township Mayor Kevin Sullivan.
The Giralda tract features a stunning combination of meadows and hardwood wetlands and uplands, as well as lawns, winding carriage trails, majestic specimen trees, and a pond. In addition to recreational potential as a resource for hiking, biking and cross country skiing, the new preserve offers key environmental protections.
“The purchase provides an important wildlife corridor and opportunity for passive recreation while helping to protect water quality in the region leading into the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge,” said Sally Rubin, executive director of the Great Swamp Watershed Association.
For more than a century, public access to the property was allowed only for invited guests and, more recently, for special events, such as the Giralda Music & Arts Festival. Future plans for Giralda Farms Preserve at Loantaka Brook Reservation will include an extended walking trail, an entry kiosk, benches, and informational signs marking specimen trees and historic vistas. The tract is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors a year.
The vast majority of the Giralda tract is owned by Chatham Township but the trail network and property will be maintained by the Park Commission.
“The Morris County Park Commission’s role as a partner on this project reinforces the commitment to protect Loantaka Brook and provide for recreational opportunities in the region,” said Morris County Park Commission Executive Director David Helmer. “The Park Commission and Chatham Township have worked collaboratively on a number of significant open space preservation projects over the years and this project is another example of the importance of teamwork when it comes to protecting our environmental, cultural, and recreational resources.”
To begin the celebration on National Trails Day, the Morris County Park Commission will hold a walk and bike ride starting at 9:30am at the Kitchell Pond portion of Loantaka Brook Reservation, at Kitchell Road between Spring Valley Road and Woodland Avenue on the border of Morris Township and Harding.
Participants will proceed south to the trail head of the new Giralda tract, where there will be a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Maps of the new Giralda Farms Park will be provided at the event.
For more information on the Saturday, June 6 event, click here or contact Joe Basralian at jbbasralian@gmail.com.
For information on the history of Giralda Farms, click here.
Wow Emma is awesome … Emma is looking for her home
Emma is such a happy and friendly pup. She is about is about one year old and weights about 40 pounds. Emma has a stunning coat with beautiful reddish brown and black stripes and white on her chest. The fur around her neck is soft and velvety. She is just beautiful!
Emma was rescued from a high kill shelter in North Carolina and now living in a foster home in New Jersey. Emma is altered and utd with vetting.
This is what Emma’s foster mom says about her…. “Emma is super friendly….she Loves other dogs, Loves kids, Loves everyone she meets. She is even ok with cats. Emma has the cutest face. When she looks up at you with her dark brown eyes with the white showing underneath, you will melt. Emma is very loving and affectionate. She is a happy go luckly girl who will do whatever we want to …. go for a walks, hang out, play all is ok with her. Emma enjoys playing with balls and will run after the ball and bring it back to you. She is an active pup yet she enjoys cuddling with us at night while we watch tv. Emma has one of the sweetest personalities ever.”
Emma is looking for a active family who will take her on walks. Can you look into her beautiful eyes and promise to be her furever family? If so, please e-mail FHDR@att.net and request an adoption application. To see more photos and a video of Emma or to see our other rescue pups, please go to www.fhdr.petfinder.com.
Improvement Authority Hires Matthew Jessup As Its New General, Bond And Energy Counsel
MORRIS COUNTY —The Morris County Improvement Authority (MCIA) has voted unanimously to hire Matthew Jessup, of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, as its new general counsel, bond counsel and energy counsel, effective June 1.
Jessup, who had served as a special MCIA consultant on its solar projects, replaces longtime counsel Stephen Pearlman, who recently resigned. The MCIA moved expeditiously to find a highly qualified replacement to ensure a smooth transition to handle key, ongoing projects.
“Matt Jessup is a well-qualified attorney with great integrity, and who also has experience with the MCIA and its solar projects, so he is an exceptional choice,’’ said Morris County Administrator John Bonanni, who is the chairman of the MCIA.
The Improvement Authority also is seeking a replacement for its energy consultant Gabel Associates, which also offered its resignation effective June 1. But Gabel has agreed to stay on for a short time until the MCIA finds a replacement.
Jessup received his law degree from the Villanova University School of Law, an M.B.A. from Villanova University and his B.B.A. degree in finance from George Washington University. He works primarily on a broad array of public finance transactions and redevelopment projects, representing many municipalities, counties, and utility and sewerage authority clients.
He was hired by the MCIA in 2014 to do a detailed review of the Authority’s solar/renewable energy projects.
Since the Improvement Authority was established by the Morris County Freeholders, it has been providing municipalities, school districts and the county itself with innovative and cost effective methods of funding projects and saving tax dollars at the same time. By using the MCIA and the county’s AAA Bond rating to finance projects, such as equipment and vehicle purchases and school and municipal construction, local officials have been able to cut costs and thereby and help reduce the property tax burden on residents.
For more information on the MCIA, click here.
For more information on the MCIA’s Renewable Energy Program, click here.
Staples Small Business Showcase Featured Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills
PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills (WCPTH) just participated in the Staples Small Business Showcase organized by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and Staples Inc. The club had a table at the Arlington Plaza Parsippany store to promote membership awareness, their upcoming Tee Off for Education Golf Classic on July 14 and information on several community programs, including National Alliance on Mental Illness. domestic violence awareness and support of area food banks. In spite of the rain, several area women came and signed up to receive additional information on WCPTH and all of its ongoing community programs.
During the summer months anyone interested in membership is encouraged to attend the Tee Off for Education Golf Classic or follow WCPTH at www.parsippanywomansclub.org for club updates. The Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills is also planning another membership event for late summer/early fall. The next General Club meeting is Monday, September 28.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com or click here to view their website.
For more information on “Staples Small Business Showcase” please contact Frank Cahill at (973) 402-6400 or email flcahill@parsippanychamber.org.
Carifi, dePierro and Gragnani take Republican Primary
PARSIPPANY — Unoffical results are Paul Carifi, Jr., 1529; Michael dePierro 1495 and Loretta Gragnani 1444.
Other candidates are John Beehler 1410, Vincent Ferrara 1404 and Aida Visakay 1338.
Nick Kumburis, Janice McCarthy and Greg Elbin won the Democratic ticket.
Click here for a breakdown of the votes by district.
Parsippany Election Results Live
| Webber | 1,345 |
| DeCroce | 1,241 |
| Cesaro | 1,172 |
| Myers | 1,047 |
| Tedesco Jr. | 970 |
| Scapicchio | 708 |
| Krickus | 761 |
| Smith | 827 |
| Mulligan | 355 |
| Carifi Jr. | 1,007 |
| Visakay | 905 |
| Beehler | 950 |
| dePierro | 923 |
| Ferrara | 845 |
| Gragnani | 903 |
Approx. 60% of votes in
Erika Jones makes President’s List at Coastal Carolina University
PARSIPPANY — Erika Jones, a Senior majoring in Management has made the President’s List at Coastal Carolina University for the Spring 2015 semester.
To qualify for the President’s List for high academic achievement, students must earn a 4.0 grade point average and must be enrolled full time.
Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 67 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree and seven master’s degree programs. CCU started offering its first Ph.D. program, in marine science, in fall 2014.
More than 9,900 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.
Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.
Voter turn out very low in Parsippany
PARSIPPPANY — Voter turnout is very low in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township.
At 5:00 p.m. District 2 (Powdermill Section) had only 45 Republican and 7 Democratic voters, former Councilman Jonathan Nelson stated.
Earlier in the day, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Lake Parsippany District 10 only had only 34 votes showing up.
Parsippany Focus will be covering the elections, by posting updates continuously starting at 8:00 p.m. this evening, until al districts are reported. Of course, the results are unoffical until confirmed by Morris County Board of Elections.
Morris County to Sponsor Public Forum on Mental Health, Addiction and Human Services For Families and Consumers
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Mental Health Substance Abuse Advisory Board and Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold a free public forum on mental health, addictions, and human services that are locally available to citizens.
Titled “The Many Faces of Recovery: Creative Expressions,” the program is open to individuals and their families who have been involved with or who want to learn more about Morris County’s publicly-funded human services. This year’s theme is creativity in recovery; art and song will be a part of the evening.
The program will take place on Tuesday, June 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Haggerty Center, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown.
According to Laurie Becker, Morris County Mental Health Administrator, the Freeholder-appointed Mental Health Substance Abuse Advisory Board is seeking input and public comment on services and unmet needs in order to strengthen the county’s services, and agency and government officials will be on hand to address the public’s questions and comments. Information gathered at the forum will help the advisory board focus its planning efforts on the areas of greatest need.
The advisory board is also interested in hearing from individuals recovering from mental illness, substance abuse or both, regarding the services that were most helpful or least helpful in the person’s recovery.
The forum will consist of a sharing of community resources, and networking and a light supper will be served. Further information may be obtained by calling the Morris County Mental Health Administrator, Laurie Becker at (973) 285-6852.
The Morris County Mental Health Substance Abuse Advisory Board reviews, monitors and recommends areas of improvement for many of the county’s mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs.
The board also makes funding recommendations for publicly funded programs that serve these populations.
Letter to the editor: Tired of the Negative campaigning?
Dear Editor:
I have been following the Town Council race very closely. I should, I am in it. My name is Nick Kumburis and like many residents of Parsippany, I am sick of the negativity and infighting going on between the Council and the Mayor’s office. I prefer a more positive approach. I want to make a positive impact on the economy of Parsippany with minimal impact to our open spaces.
I was brought up in Hudson County and registered as a Democrat at the age of 18. My views are my own regardless of the letter after my name. Some have changed over the years and some have stayed the same. I don’t let my party define me, nor should you. I am not one who plays the “which republican is more liberal” game that has blighted many of the Morris Republican races. My wife is a Republican, so I get all the mail, when they ask “can you reach across the table?” It is usually the dinner table. I am a veteran who served his country honorably. I took an oath to support the Constitution. I am a loyal family man. I am active in my church and I have a Master’s in Business Administration from Rutgers University.
I am both Fiscally Responsible and Socially Responsible. I worked full time while going to school at night and raising a family. I worked hard for every penny I earned. I know the impact of taxes on a family (I pay them too). I will work hard to keep them low. My MBA included graduate courses in negotiation and urban entrepreneurship; which I will use to develop strategies to bring businesses both big and small to fill our commercial and retail vacancies before we consider destroying another acre of open space. I live in Parsippany and I want it to look like Parsippany, not Paterson.
I come in with a clean slate. I have no personal issues with Mayor Barberio or the current Council. I will work in the best interest of the citizens of Parsippany without taking political sides.
Thank you and God bless,
Nick Kumburis
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