PARSIPPANY — In the annual Parsippany High School tradition, the Senior Girls beat the Junior Girls, 26-0, in Powderpuff. Amanda Angulo completed a 110 rush yard touch down and Veronia Shaw had three interceptions and completed a touch down. Both girls were named Co-MVPs.
The senior and junior cheerleaders performed a routine during halftime. The event was a success and well attended by many students and parents.
The Junior players entering the field
Best Friends, James Breenan and Andrew Massefski
The senior cheerleaders marching onto the field
Amanda Angulo and Kaila Migliazza leading the senior players onto the field
The Senior Cheerleaders dragging the pool on the field
Enzo Gaya excited during the game
The Junior Cheerleaders
Logan Van Wingerden taking laps on the track course
Many students and parents came out to support the game
Malik Frances celebrating a touchdown
The Junior Cheerleaders dragging the pool away from the Senior Cheerleaders
Student Council Advisor Melissa Van Wingerden and her son Logan watching the game
The seniors playing the game
Kaila Migliazza on defense
Amanda Angulo makes a 100 yard touchdown
Skyler Gohn and Amanda Angulo are a celebrating a touch down
Mark Castellano, Domenick Castellano and Cherie Castellano walked as part of "The Givers" team
The Givers can change the world!!!!
Domenick Castellano stated “The Givers” last year and participated again this year because Domenick wanted to see how many of his friends really are very kind and care about others. It is a special day to walk together blessed. Domenick’s Uncle Ed and Aunt Sue started the Valerie Fund to honor their very brave daughter.
Domenick’s mom is also the director of the “Mom 2 Mom” program and she and the whole family love to help others.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School held its annual Redstock on Saturday, June 13. The public participated in many sports activities and games at the school’s football field.
The event started at 12:00 Noon and ended at 4:00 p.m. and offered food, face painting, arts and crafts, bounce house, dunk tank, games and prizes and live entertainment. The PTSA will held a Tricky Tray and Raffle.
Enzo Gaya and Phoebe Nelson performing acoustic songs
Thomas Rizk traveling in his Mercedes during Redstock
The Limanov family
Nick Kumburis in the dunk tank
Jimmy John’s was a sponsor of the event. Here they are giving out free sandwiches
Liz Kadian and Tracy Amato
Lexie Tymikiw and Param Shukla
Fortune Teller: Zahra Wallizadeh, Ashley Jankovic and Katie Lau telling Shuhony Chen his fortune at the Global Citizens Club (GCC)
Emily Fales at the Peer Buddies table. The group had a three cup shuffle game.
Brian Rodrigues, Zach Kovacs and Andrew Smith
Coordinating Principal for Athletics K-12, Physical Education & Health (PHS/CMS) Norman Francis, Jr., Ed.D. having a Kona Ice Snow Cone. Kona Ice donated part of the proceeds to PHS
Norman Francis at the Kona Ice Truck
Josh Levine in the bounce house
Isabel Inostroza and Erin Ardin from Parsippany Houlihans
Rick Santana, Matthew Ruggerio, Adil Chaudhri and Erick Abinader
Alex Chauvette and Kiernan Boone from Concussion Clothing, one of the spomsors of the event
Angela Stanton, Justin Stanton and Dr. Denis Mulroony
Oliver Boch, Patrick Lanigan and Justin Stanton
Brian Lanigan, a PHS 2014 graduate, at Redstock
Adam Welch smiling because he just dumped Keith Bush
Keith Bush was dunked by Adam Welch
Sponge and Bucket race
Moco Ring Toss by PHS Model Congress
Ahmed Elsaid
Ryan Olcott and Jared Hurta enjoying Redstock
The PHS Jazz Band going to the school with their equipment
Andrew Aguilera, a 2014 PHS Graduate
Autumn Welch, Brian Carter and Ashlyn Welch
Suprintendent of Schools Scott Rixford with Nicolas Limanov
Josh Levine is smiling because he just dunked Joe Kyle
Joe Kyle in the dunk tak
Joanne Veloz, Jailene Veloz and Melissa Palacois
Josh Lustig and his mom, Nora Lustig
Gabriella Navarro in the Space Walk
Baldwin Pizza was selling pizza and drink at the event
Physical Education Teacher Michael DiBernard was dunked by the students
Physical Education Teacher Michael DiBernard in the dunk tank
Brianna Cooper and Nicolas Limanov
Ryan Lau, Dev Lad and Brianna Cooper
Brett McLean and Carly Pasquale
The Wave Set: Dara, Jared, Brittany and Robin Wohl
Many local business sponsored the event. The sponsors included Anette Ricciardi, Arboone, Applebee’s, Ava’s Cupcakes, Baldwin Pizzeria, Bershire Hathaway Services, Blink Fitness, Boiling Springs Bank, Brian Deegan, Wells Fargo Advisors, C-Town Supermarket, C2 Education, Class Act Embroidery and Screen Printing, DJKB Productions, Gail Napolitano, RE/MAX, Greenspan Family Eyecare, Gripp Plumbing and Heating, Heroes Journey Crossfit, Houlihan’s, Imperial Bag and Paper, Jimmy John’s, Karlital Crafts and Dolls, Kristina Resciniti, Jewels by Park Lane, Last Licks Ice Cream, Math Wizard of Parsippany, Melanie and Fred Hafdelin, Weichert Realtors, Mayor James Barberio, Mount Holleran Towne Tavern, Parsippany Focus, Parsippany High School PTSA, Party Fair, Passaic County Community College, ProMotions Training Academy, Retro Fitness, Sarah Joen, Stella and Dot, SAT by MBA, Susan J. Kroeger, CPA, The Source of Health, The Wave Set and Kona Ice.
Following the event was the Central Middle School Flag Football game, Hawkeye Community Awards and the annual Juniors vs. Seniors PowderPuff Football game.
Parsippany Focus covered all three events, so look for the articles on those events too!.
PARSIPPANY – In line with its aggressive expansion plans throughout the region, Colliers International today announced that industry leader David A. Simon, SIOR has joined the organization as Executive Managing Director, New Jersey Region and will serve as the new head of the firm’s New Jersey operations.
With more than 25 years of experience as a broker and manager in the New Jersey market, Simon will be responsible for the operational and financial performance of the firm’s Parsippany and Princeton offices, with plans to open others, while significantly increasing market share across Northern and Central New Jersey.
Simon also joins Tri-State Chief Operating Officer and fellow industry leader Kim Brennan, completing the most experienced management team in New Jersey commercial brokerage.
“David is one of the most successful, respected real estate professionals in New Jersey,” said Joe Harbert, President of Colliers International’s Eastern Region. “Our intention is to become the number one brokerage firm in New Jersey, and see David as a key to helping us get there. He is not only a dynamic broker, but a strategic thinker who has led other firms to prominence. His presence and leadership will take us to the next level, and help us recruit even more top talent.”
Most recently Simon was an Executive Managing Director with Massey Knakal Realty Services and led the firm’s expansion into New Jersey. Massey Knakal was acquired by Cushman & Wakefield in December, 2014. Previously, he has held leadership positions including: Managing Principal for the New Jersey office of Cassidy Turley, Chief Operating Officer for Colliers Houston & Co. and Principal with Newmark Real Estate of New Jersey, currently known as Newmark Grubb Night Frank.
Throughout his career Simon has completed hundreds of transactions on behalf of tenants such as: Merrill Lynch, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond and has represented properties on behalf of institutional and local owners including: Mack-Cali, John Hancock, Chase Manhattan Bank, Atlantic Realty and Kushner Real Estate Group, among others.
Simon attended Boston University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Public Relations. Additionally, he earned a Master of Science degree in Real Estate from New York University. He is a past President of IOREBA, member of the executive committee of the New Jersey Chapter of SIOR and a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Real Estate at Rutgers Business School.
About Colliers International
Colliers International Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CIGI; TSX: CIG) is a global leader in commercial real estate services with more than 16,300 professionals operating from 502 offices in 67 countries. With an enterprising culture and significant insider ownership, Colliers professionals provide a full range of services to real estate occupiers, owners and investors worldwide. Services include brokerage, global corporate solutions, investment sales and capital markets, project management and workplace solutions, property and asset management, consulting, valuation and appraisal services, and customized research and thought leadership. Colliers International has been ranked among the top 100 outsourcing firms by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals’ Global Outsourcing for 10 consecutive years, more than any other real estate services firm.
PARSIPPANY — The Hawk Eye Awards recognize the extraordinary efforts of the students, staff and parents of Parsippany High School that make a difference in their school and the community.
To the Native Americans, the hawk was a symbol of strength, vision, and truth. The hawk had keen eyesight which it used to open the eyes of others. The hawk was the great messenger of the skies. It soared with the power to overcome difficult situations and helped others to achieve great victory. We are looking to recognize the modern-day Redhawks with the greatest vision and strength- those parents, staff and students who, like the Native American hawks of the past, see a bigger picture and do everything in their power to make it clearer for the rest of us. These “Hawk Eyes” lift others up through their words, actions and values, and as a result, Parsippany and PHS is an even better place to live, learn and grow.
Each year, PHS will recognize students, teachers or parents for going the extra mile to make a difference in our school or community.
This years recipients of the Hawk Eye Awards were Andres Massefski, Aarin Feliz, Michael Nicosia, Ellen Jones, Joanne Davino, Steve Gilgur and Ronald Ribnik.
Andrew Massefski, 2015 GraduateAarin Feliz, 2015 GraduateJoanne Davino, cafeteria workerEllen Jones, PTA MomMike Nicosia, Math Teacher at Parsippany High SchoolSteve Gilgur, Science Teacher and Technical DirectorRonald Ribnik, Substitute TeacherAarin Feliz and Andrew Massefski congratulating each other
Hawk Eye Nomination Process and Criteria: Students must be seniors in high school. Parents must have a child that attends or attended Parsippany High School. Staff Members/Faculty must currently be on staff. All nominees must have demonstrated a generous spirit, either through their time or efforts; be proactively involved in acts of service; and go above and beyond the norm, performing acts outside of their normal duties or responsibilities.
PARSIPPPANY — The 2015 Valerie Fund Walk and 5K Run was held on Saturday, June 13. 212 Teams, 861 Runners, 2606 Walkers and 3,467 Participants raised $994,579.89 (as of 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14).
Bella Rocco, Parsippany, a 13 year-old former patient has been attending the Walk since 2009 and each year her team, Bella’s Bunch has the distinction of fielding the most participants.
The Valerie Fund relies on the dollars raised to help the children who live in our community. The Walk and 5K Run supports their mission to provide comprehensive health care for children with cancer and blood disorders. Every step you walk or run and every dollar you raise helps at The Valerie Fund Centers. Patients receive far more than treatment for their physical illnesses. Their philosophy is that to truly heal the children with whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.
The Valerie Fund’s 2015 Goal is $1,000,000.00, and you can still donate to Bella’s Bunch by clicking here.
Parsippany’s Bella Rocco was one of the 212 Teams raising money. Her 2015 Goal was $5,000.00, but as of Sunday, June 14 she has raised $6,789.00. Some of her sponsors included Central Middle School Teachers, Sons of Italy Lodge 2561, Barbara Shannon, PatterneSmiles.com, Vanessa Jacobson, Valerie Fund Board of Directors, Carluccio Family, Marie Rocco, Nancy Goddard, Olivia Nicoletti, Parsippany High School Italian Club, Sy Ghosh, Mary Kudrak, Jenna Black, John Morton, Kathy Serrao, Kendall Amato, Laura Rocco, Laurie McLaughlin, Linda Egger and dozens of other. You can view all the donors to Bella’s Bunch by clicking here.
Bella Rocco thankfully is doing well and has been tumor free for four years now! The MRIs and doctors visits continue but thank god they have remained uneventful, just the way we like it! The support for The Valerie Fund continues and has become a welcomed tradition with many friends and families that join the Bella’s Bunch year after year. 2015 was the seventh year that Bella’s Bunch attends this yearly event and hopefully with your support we will show up with big numbers both in people and in donations. Although the team is named after Bella and they will never forget all she has gone through, they consider themselves lucky that it wasn’t worse and we attend every year to pay it forward to all the kids that are currently going through pediatric cancer or a blood disorder. The Rocco’s walk and run every year for every one of their parents that have had their world turned upside down and knowing that The Valerie Fund will help them with all they have to deal with.
Nearly 40 years ago, Sue and Ed Goldsteinbegan The Valerie Fund to honor the memory of their nine-year old daughter. During the six years of her treatment, Valerie and her parents would often travel several hundred miles a week to a hospital in NYC and they wanted to spare other families with critically ill children the additional suffering of traveling to and from the city for treatment. Their dream was to help children receive high-quality care in a nurturing environment close to their homes.
Today, there are seven Valerie Fund Children’s Centers located in top pediatric hospitals in New York, New Jersey and metro Philadelphia and more than 4,000 patients are treated annually—one of the largest networks of healthcare facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders in the country.
The Valerie Fund Walk & JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run
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Joe Jannarone during the 5K walk
Bella's Bunch during the 5K Walk
Bella's Bunch during the 5K Walk
Bella's Bunch during the 5K Walk
There were many things to do for the children during the event
Norman Francis, Jr., Ed.D., Coordinating Principal for Athletics K-12, Physical Education & Health, holding Chloe Francis with Alexis Chestnut and Haley Chestnut
Nicolas Limanov with NJ Devil's Jackal
Bella's Bunch starting the 5K Walk
Brielle Amato, 8th Grade; Gianna DiGugliermo, 8th Grade and Leyla Gasparrio, 8th Grade, students from Central Middle School were participants in the Valerie Fund Walk
Bella Rocco and Joe Jannarone
Ralph Rocco, Denise DePietro, Steve DePiertro, Nick DePietro, Sy Ghosh and Ersin Olgun
Bella's Bunch supporters Joe Galante and Alex DePietro
Pat Rocco and Deanna Alzubi at the Valerie Fund Walk
Participants in Bella's Bunch
George, Diane, Benino and Andrae Dorsey
Bella's Bunch giving a shout out for Channel 7 News
Today is Flag Day, an annual observance of the Second Continental Congress’ official adoption of the stars and stripes in 1777. At the time, they “resolved that the flag of the 13 United States” be represented by 13 alternating red and white stripes and the union by 13 white stars in a blue field, “representing a new constellation.” Now, more than 200 years later and with an updated design, the flag is an American icon.
Flag Day, though not a federal holiday, is full of tradition. The holiday was established in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, and in 1949 Congress declared June 14 a national holiday. Pennsylvania is the only state that observes Flag Day as a state holiday, according to the History Channel. But others host parades and parties in the flag’s honor — just as Wilson intended.
“Let us on that day rededicate ourselves to the nation,” he wrote in his >proclamation, ” ‘one and inseparable’ from which every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty, and right shall be excluded and in which we shall stand with united hearts, for an America which no man can corrupt, no influence draw away from its ideals, no force divide against itself — a nation signally distinguished among all the nations of mankind for its clear, individual conception alike of its duties and its privileges, its obligations and its rights.”
Here are other facts about Flag Day:
Bernard J. Cigrand is considered the father of Flag Day. In 1885, as a young teacher at a high school in Waubeka, Wisconsin, Cigrand put a small flag on his desk and told his students to write essays about it. He fought for the rest of his life to formally establish the holiday, according to the National Flag Day Foundation.
The flag has been changed 27 times. The final star, for Hawaii, was added in 1960.
The first time the flag was flown after being adopted was on Aug. 3, 1777 in Rome, New York.
The flag’s colors have become significant over time. The white is for purity, the red is for valor and the blue is for justice, according to usflag.org.
President George Washington described the design like this: “We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.”
The first flag was probably created by Francis Hopkinson, who signed the Declaration of Independence. He requested “a quarter cask of the public wine” as payment for his design. He was rejected.
Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag according to a pattern, which was likely Hopkinson’s. Legend has it she changed the six-point stars he’d drawn to five-point ones because they were easier to stitch.
The current design of the U.S. flag was created by Robert G. Heft, who made the pattern for a high school project. He earned a B- at first, but when the government chose it, his teacher raised the grade to an A.
There are six American flags on the moon. Five are standing, but Neil Armstrong’s fell over.
PARSIPPANY — Ms. Iralda Oritz, Clifton, was traveling west on Route 46 near North Beverwyck Road when she slowed down in traffic and Mr. Kevin Fitzpatrick, Caldwell, stuck her vehicle from behind.
This accident occurred on Wednesday, May 27 at 8:37 a.m.
Mr. Fitzpatrick was driving a 2009 Nissan Rouge which was towed from the scene by Corigliano Towing, and Ms. Oritz was driving a 2009 Chevy Traverse which was also towed from the scene by Corigliano Towing.
There were no summons issued at the time. Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Dave Cavaliere investigated the accident.
There were no injuries reported at the scene.
Officers at the scene were directing traffic around the accident during rush hour traffic
The Central Middle School Seventh and Eighth Grade Football Players
PARSIPPANY — The Annual Central Middle School Flag Football game between the Seventh and Eighth Grade was played on Saturday, June 13 at Parsippany High School.
PARSIPPANY — University of the Sciences recognized graduates as part of the University’s 194th commencement celebration in Philadelphia, Pa., on Wednesday, May 20.
Daniel Fichter, graduated summa cum laude with a doctor of occupational therapy degree . He is a member of Alpha Chi, National College Honor Scholarship Society; Pi Theta Epsilon, National Honor Society for Occupational Therapists; and Alpha Eta Society, National Scholastic Honor Society for the Allied Health Professionals. He received the Warren Rosemarin Commencement Award given to the graduate who furthered the efforts of the Alumni Association through consistent volunteerism and hard work.
Sakhi Patel
Sakhi Patel of Parsippany, graduated with a biology degree with a minor in humanities and social science.
Sapan Patel of Parsippany, graduated with a doctor of pharmacy degree.
University of the Sciences has prepared students to be leaders and practitioners in the healthcare and science fields for nearly 200 years.
Key to our distinctive education is a tradition of hands-on research and experiential learning that is evident in every graduate who has walked its campus.
Since its founding in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America, USciences has grown to more than 30 degree-granting programs from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees in the health sciences, bench sciences, and healthcare business and policy fields. Discover how USciences students are proven everywhere they go at usciences.edu.
PARSIPPANY — Hofstra University congratulates the students named to the Spring 2015 Dean’s List for their outstanding academic achievement. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 during the semester to make the Dean’s List.
Among the local students who earned a spot on the Dean’s List were Nitigna Bhatt, Lake Hiawatha and Stephen Campana, Parsippany.
Hofstra University is a nationally ranked private university just 25 miles from New York City and all its cultural, recreational and professional opportunities. We offer small classes and personal attention with the resources, technology, and facilities of a large university.
Students can chose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering and applied science, communication, education, health sciences and human services, honors studies, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.
Named to the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, and one of only two schools chosen to host consecutive presidential debates, Hofstra University is a dynamic community of more than 11,000 students known for civic engagement and public service.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Shivan Patel
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education presented “Student and Staff Awards” on Tuesday, June 9 at Parsippany High School.
The Board of Education congratulated and presented certificates or plaques to the students listed for their fine achievents.
Students being honored for Academic Decathlon were Amanda Chen, Will Chen, Anne Cheng, Miki Hansen, Spencer Huang, Rohan Khajuria, Nikita Kolotov, Xue Ting Lin, Shivan Patel, Henry Shen, Elizabeth Tu, Emily Weng, Joshua Wong, Samuel Wu, Katherine Yang and Ellie Xu.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Will Chen
Will Chen received recognition for Regional Competition: Bronze Medal-Art; Silver Medal-Math, Economics, Social Science; Gold Medal-Science, and Music; State Competition: Silver Medal-Economics; Bronze Medal-Music; Gold Medal-Science.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Amanda Chen
Amanda Chen received recognition for Regional Competition: Silver Medal-Math; Bronze Medal-Economics, and Science; State Competition: Gold Medal-Music.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Katherine Yang
Katherine Yang received recognition for Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Language and Literature; Silver Medal-Music.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Samuel Wu
Samuel Wu received recognition for Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Economics, Language and Literature, Essay;Silver Medal-Art; Bronze Medal-Social Science, Music; Honorable Mention-Math, Science; State Competition: Bronze Medal-Music; Honorable Mention-Language and Literature, Art, Social Science
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Joshua Wong
Joshua Wong received recognition for Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Economics, Music, Language and Literature, Essay; Silver Medal-Math, Science; Bronze Medal-Art; Honorable Mention-Social Studies; State Competition: Gold Medal-Essay, Science, Social Science, Overall Decathlete, Music; Silver Medal-Economics, Art; Bronze Medal-Language and Literature.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Henry Shen
Henry Shen received recognition for Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Social Science, Art; Bronze Medal-Economics, Science, Music; Honorable Mention-Language and Literature; State Competition: Honorable Mention-Language and Literature, Economics, Music, Art, Science; Silver Medal-Social Science; National Competition: Gold Medal-Social Science; Bronze Medal-Economics.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Shivan Patel
Shivan Patel received recognition for Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Math, Science, Speech; Silver Medal-Language and Literature, Essay; Bronze Medal-Economics, Social Science; State Competition: Honorable Mention-Math.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Nikita Kolotov
Nikita Kolotov received recognition for Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Social Science, Art; Silver Medal-Music, Economics, Speech, Interview; Honorable Mention-Math, Science, Essay High Scorer; State Competition: Honorable Mention-Math; Silver Medal-Language and Literature; Honorable Mention-Economics; Silver Medal-Music, Art, Science, Social Science National Competition: MVP.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Rohan Khajuria
Rohan Khajuria received recognition for Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Math, Science, Speech, Essay; Silver Medal-Music; Bronze Medal-Economics; Honorable Mention-Language and Literature High Scorer State Competition: Silver Medal-Language and Literature, Music, Art, Social Science; Honorable Mention: Math, Economics, Science National Competition: Gold Medal-Math.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Spencer Huang
Spencer Haung received recognition for the Academic Decathlon team that Placed First in Regionals and First in States.
Board Members Mr. Andy Choffo and Mrs. Judy Mayer with Amanda Chen
Amanda Chen received recognition for Regional Competition: Silver Medal-Math; Bronze Medal-Economics, and Science State Competition: Gold Medal-Music.
Also the following students received recognition:
Anne Cheng: Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Economics; Silver Medal-Social Science, Language and Literature; Bronze Medal-Art, Music; Honorable Mention-Interview State Competition: Honorable Mention-Math, Music, Art, and Social Science.
Miki Hansen: Regional Competition: Gold Medal-Music; Silver Medal-Math, Economics, Science, Social Science; Bronze Medal-Art, Language and Literature; State Competition: Bronze Medal-Math; Silver Medal-Economics.
Elizabeth Tu: Regional Competition: Gold Medal -Social Science, Art, Music; Silver Medal – Economics, Science, Language & Literature; Honorable Mention-Speech, Essay, Math; State Competition: Gold Medal-Essay; Silver Medal-Social Science, Overall Decathlete, Third Place Overall Decathlete MVP; Bronze Medal-Language & Literature, Economics, Music, Art; Honorable Mention-Science.
Emily Weng: Regional Awards: Gold Medal-Math, Economics, Science, Language and Literature, Essay; Silver Medal-Art, Music; Honorable Mention-Social Science; State Competition: Honorable Mention-Math; Gold Medal-Art; Bronze Medal-Science, Social Science MVP; National Competition: Team’s Highest Scorer.
Home Rule without Chutzpah is a farce and with Chutzpah is very expensive. That is just one simple reason why in 2015 regional Planning is superior wiser and beneficial to all. Elected officials have a responsibility to ensure and advocate when necessary for the best interest of their communities in all matters concerning land use be the property private or not. This “best interest” which is a public trust issue seems to be lacking in Parsippany, where we are surrounded by many corporate owned tracts of land brought cheaply and sold for high profits on the commercial market. We have seemed to have lost ourselves in property rights rather than community values. Parsippany has had more than its share of market driven speculation land development, the need for more is questionable. There also is a definite lack of transparency in our Planning Board, in its master plans constantly undermined and not advanced through knowledge available in examining various landscapes for possible other uses and natural resource value, which would make them possible candidates for protections and condemning in the best interest of Parsippany. Waterview the best example and perhaps others as the property known as Block 136 Lot 43 is being proposed for a new office complex by UPS with the support of MCEDC; Morris County Economic Development Corporation. This little known landscape gem off Hill Road contains quite an extensive wetlands complex. The immediate area contains an already empty office complex, as Morris County has more vacant office inventory than anywhere in the State and ranks high in the Nation along with NJ as having such wasted space of office; how can this new complex be justified and in such an environmentally valuable area of wetlands, wellhead protections, no present sewer or water systems for the allotted development, This property could be considered a community environmentally constrained sub-zone under higher standards.
It must be asked what is going to happen to the present UPS facility on Jefferson Road? In the immediate area of the proposed new UPS complex a large corporate office complex remains vacant on Interpace Parkway as do several other vacant offices on Interpace alone..
Parsippany’s Planning Board has called this “redevelopment”, even though it did not follow any real redevelopment principles. Let us use the American Planning Board’s own criteria to access this unnecessary land destruction.
Conserve land resources by attracting new development to infill and brownfield sites rather than converting raw agricultural or undeveloped acreage;
Take advantage of existing infrastructure rather than requiring the construction of expensive new infrastructure
Reuse existing resources;
Recycle materials and structures;
Conserve energy and other non-renewable resources;
Adapt historic or culturally significant existing buildings to new uses;
Improve or restore natural systems such as streambeds, drainage courses, wetlands, rivers, ports, ambient air quality, and other ecological features;
Embrace the principles of sustainable community planning enunciated in the APAPolicy Guide on Planning for Sustainability;
Are designed to promote long-term economic sustainability.
Address potential oversupply of land for development.
Parsippany having itself surrounded by corporate property owners and being under home-rule leaves itself vulnerable to have its best interest undermined and exchanged for poor land use promoted as economic stimulus and jobs. Parsippany’s first and foremost responsibility is to its residence in their quality of life here through proper land use and natural resource protections. Parsippany lacks many of the elements needed for this for example: we do not have a natural resource inventory of properties, nor do we have an accurate detailed report showing Prime Ground Water Recharge Areas. This is also lacking in our Stormwater Management Plan.
We start to see that our Planning Board is not somehow working in our best interest, for the outside corporate developers to undermine our natural assets keeping them off the screen. This is breach of the public trust, in that with public trust, the State cites the doctrine to support State action that protects trust resources from private actions; the resources here our landscapes, water, air and bio-diversity, trees being the best example. In a nutshell tax payers are not being served but used to aid developer’s first community second. In a relationship of power, status and responsibility it is understood that power is not equal, however the responsibility of trust must remain within any such structure. The problem is the relationship has become one of power alone, the private over the public. Home rule fearing lawsuits from corporate power throws in the towel and tells the tax-payers they are saving them money, while their community’s quality of life runs out slowly but surely. When State and Local sources do not limit, but relinquishes or overly compromises trust resources we have no longer a local community, but an open market not concerned with local traditions, history, and ecology, only their investments in a pool of wealth that benefits few and takes away from many.
The only remedy available is regional planning. Only the realization that a strong state can overcome this lack of public trust and will benefit and advance the commonwealth can see us through. Are we a United States on any level or has the private interest destroyed our democracy? Let us unite ourselves unto the regional master plan, which will bring more, trust, transparency and public participation. Pride in Parsippany cannot presently exist under home-rule. Wake Up People. Political centralization strengthens rather than weakens local government and the health of local communities. Just ask the depression generation. FDR we need you, and George Washington too.
Nick Homyak Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034
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The Garden State will get a break from the heat and humidity this weekend, but residents should be sure to get their umbrellas ready for Monday. A cold front will spread cooler, less humid air across the region starting late Saturday, dropping temperatures to the mid to low 80s Sunday, according to Accuweather. The National Weather…
Parsippany’s 2015 Memorial Day remembrance service on Monday, May 25, at Veterans Park, Parsippany was what a remembrance service should be. It covered history, past and present, and it left you with tears in your eyes to remind us of the sacrifice our Armed Forces and their families have made for this country.
I received a phone call a few days prior to Memorial Day that Parsippany’s remembrance service format has changed. This years service acknowledged all that have served. I am forever touched by this year’s program. Thank you, Michele Sylvin for your thoughtful remembrance program.
If you could not attend watch the service on Video-on-the-Go, by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department participated in the 32nd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the New Jersey Special Olympics on Friday, June 12.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey is a statewide campaign coordinated and managed by all divisions of Law Enforcement officers and officials from throughout the state. Through their efforts, events are conducted year round by the Law Enforcement Community to raise funds for the Special Olympics Movement, serving the athletes of New Jersey. In addition to fundraising, Law Enforcement volunteer at athlete events year round while serving as ambassadors in local communities.
In 1982, the late Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer Steven Vitale was asked to take photos at a local Special Olympics competition in New Jersey. He was so moved by the determination exhibited by the athletes that he asked other police officers to volunteer at the Summer Games.
In 1984, the first New Jersey Torch Run was conceived to raise funds and public awareness for the Special Olympics New Jersey program. The course ran from Liberty State Park in Jersey City to Rutgers Stadium in New Brunswick through eight towns covering 43 miles and raising $7,000. In each succeeding year, the dollar amount became greater and the number of volunteers increased substantially.
Over $2 million is raised annually by more than 3,000 officers through local and statewide events including the Law Enforcement Torch Run as part of the annual Summer Games in June.
Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit organization that provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Our 25,000 athletes enjoy camaraderie and gain a sense of pride and accomplishment through participating in our events.
Captain Andrew Miller, Detective Marcin Czajka, Sergeant Steven Miller, Detective Joseph Puso, Kyle Chmura, Patrolman Matthew McAuliffe, Patrolman Gregory Bloete, Patrolman Joseph Chmura and Lieutenant Daniel Bendas.
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