| 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
Parsippany Election Results Live
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
Letters to the Editor: Do you have an opinion to express? Send letters to flcahill@parsippanyfocus.com. Disclaimer: To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must include the writer’s full name, address and daytime phone number. Letters may be condensed, although care is taken to preserve the writer’s comments (maximum 200 words). Copyright in material submitted to Parsippany Focus and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Parsippany Focus may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. We are unable to acknowledge receipt of letters.
Township to hold “Tax Sale”
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will be holding a “Tax Sale” on Thursday, June 18, at 9:00 in the Council Chambers, Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
Click here to see which properties in Parsippany are on the list. List is subject to change.
New Jersey law requires all municipalities to hold at least one tax sale per year, if the municipality has delinquent property taxes and/or municipal charges.
In New Jersey, property taxes are a continuous lien on the real estate. Property taxes are due in four installments during the year: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. Delinquency on a property may accrue interest at up to 8 per cent for the first $1,500 due, and 18 per cent for any amount over $1,500. If the amount of delinquency on a property exceeds $10,000 at the end of the municipal fiscal year, the municipality may charge up to a 6 per cent yearend penalty.
If you have any additional questions, please call (973) 263-4283.
Letter to the editor: Vote for the Conservative Republican team tomorrow
Dear Parsippany Republicans,
Tomorrow’s Primary Election for Township Council is critical for several reasons. Together with successful, local businesswoman Aida Visakay and community leader John Beehler, I am running for re-election on a platform of stabilizing property taxes, putting an end to the excessively high legal fees being paid to connected insiders, and bring common sense economic development to our town while still preserving our remaining open space.
Mike dePierro has been on Township Council for more than 30 years. While I respect his service to our town, for the past ten years he has been little more than a rubberstamp for rising taxes (46% higher on his watch), excessive legal fees ($4.3 million in just the last three years), and in this campaign has embraced the support of outside special interests and powerful Democrats who are flooding your mailboxes, harassing you on the phone and invading our neighborhoods with out-of-town canvassers paid for by big labor unions trying to takeover our Republican primary.
Vinny Ferrara is well-known as a hot head who has been verbally abusive to other parents and coaches in the our recreation leagues, and believes he is entitled to things other local residents are not. This is not someone who should be representing our community. During his brief time on Township Council, he was just another rubberstamp like dePierro, controlled by connected insiders who profit on the backs of taxpayers.
To cling to power they have teamed up with people wiling to smear and lie about my family, and destroy anyone in their way. These people don’t deserve to lead our town.
Parsippany-Troy Hills is a great place to live, and tomorrow we can take action to make it even better. Since I got on Council, taxes have been stabilized and a light has been shined on the unethical and potentially corrupt activities of others. Tomorrow we can take the next step and make a clean break from the past. We can take back our Republican Party and restore conservative fiscal policies and transparent government that saves you money.
I would be honored to have your vote for me and my Conservative Republican team tomorrow at the polls. Thank you for your time.
Paul Carifi, Jr.
Council President
Motorcyclist passes on left and strikes vehicle; sends driver to hospital
PARSIPPANY — Ms. Jeahad Zohny, 32, was traveling North on Knoll Road, and attempting to make a left turn into a residential driveway, when Mr. Joseph Carrigan, 24, attempted to pass Ms. Zohny’s vehicle on the left, the motorcycle struck the Honda on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Mr. Carrigan was transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital, and the motorcycle was removed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
Ms. Zonhy did not report any injuries and her vehicle was driven from the scene.
At the time of this article, no summons were issued.
Parsippany resident has produced a reality series about an animal rescue
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Bruce Frigeri has produced a reality series about an animal rescue shelter that will premiere on National Geographic Wild on June 6. Give Me Shelter is a 13 x 30 series about life at a rescue shelter in Charleston, South Carolina.
Frigeri became involved with the project after his previous series, produced with partner Jessie Anderson-Berens, was well received by the international tv market. “It was more than a little ironic that our series, Rescue Vet, was being appreciated by international audiences but we couldn’t get it on the air here in the States, even though we are American,” said Frigeri. When the producing team decided to explore the possibility of a follow up show about rescue shelters, things took off very quickly. “What we discovered is that animal welfare is always exciting, ever changing, and always dramatic. Then when you factor in that the people at these facilities do some of the most honorable, selfless work you will ever see, it just makes for fantastic tv.”
With Charleston resident Anderson-Berens as the point person, the producing team secured the cooperation of one of Charleston’s best known shelter facilities; Pet Helpers. Once that was done, the team set about producing the first two episodes, which Frigeri used to secure deals in over 112 countries, and eventually here in the USA on National Geographic Wild.
There was a personal angle for Frigeri as well. “We have two rescue dogs in our family and they have given us such love and stability through some very tough times and I just wanted to pay that back somehow. Producing this show is a small way to do that.”
Frigeri’s background was originally in independent film as a distributor and sometimes producer, with a horror film, Fear House, and a feature length documentary, Square Circle Dreams, as two of his credits. His distribution company, Lifesize Entertainment, had an Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language film, Zus and Zo, back in 2004, as well as an Independent Spirit nominee, Oasis. in 2005. When the dvd market that most independent distributors relied on collapsed a few years ago, Frigeri transitioned his efforts towards television production. “It was actually a much smoother move than I ever imagined, even though I went kicking and screaming at first,” Frigeri admitted. But then he started to get to know the people working in animal welfare and he knew he made the right decision. “Hopefully Give Me Shelter will shine a positive light on the animal welfare crisis in our country and the people who give so much of themselves to try and help abandoned and suffering animals.” Episodes 1-4 will broadcast on June 6 from 7pm to 9pm on Nat Geo Wild, with two episodes a week thereafter starting at 8pm. Frigeri urged Morris County residents to support local shelters and rescues like Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter and Eleventh Hour Rescue. “Every dollar we give makes a huge difference,” he added.
Parsippany Police Sergeant Dies at 46
PARSIPPANY — Richard C. Davis Jr., passed away on Thursday, May 28. He was born in Livingston and grew up in Boonton moving to Parsippany in 1994.
Rich was a 24 year dedicated member of the Parsippany Police Department receiving the rank of Sergeant in 2007.
He was a member of P.B.A Local 131 and St. Christopher R.C. Church.
He was predeceased by his mother, O. Sharron (nee-Chirmside) who passed away in 1998.
Survivors include his wife, Donna M. (nee-Visich); his children, Nicholas and Ashley, and his father, Richard C. and his wife, Marilyn; his brother, Marc I. and his wife, Dorothy; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Maryann Visich; his brother-in-law, Christopher Visich; sister-in-law, Cindy Aromin and her husband, Ronnie; and his nieces and nephew, Corinne Davis and Amanda and Ryan Aromin.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Liturgy of Christian Burial to be offered on Tuesday, June 2, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Christopher R.C. Church, 1050 Littleton Road. Entombment will be at Gate of Heaven Mausoluem, East Hanover.
Visiting hours are Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Par-Troy Funeral Home, 95 Parsippany Road.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the Richard C. Davis Scholarship Fund. c/o Parsippany PBA Civic Association. P.O. Box 16, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054.
Northvail’s Interfaith Food Pantry Drive
PARSIPPANY — During the month May, Northvail’s Student Council members encouraged everyone to bring in non-perishable food items for the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains. The spring and summer tend to be lean months in terms of food donations but the need for food doesn’t lessen. The council members under the guidance of Ms. Giordano, a 5th grade teacher at Northvail, helped organize, tally, and bag the food. Northvail collected three carloads of food for the pantry, which was an amazing success!
More than 4,400 families in Morris County rely on Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains, for supplemental groceries year round. In 2013, they distributed “893,000 pounds of food to low-income working families and senior citizens living on fixed incomes and currently are distributing nearly 1.7 tons of food per day!”
Pictured: Northvail’s 3rd-5th grade Student Council members
Mayor presents Kiwanis Club with proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month
PARSIPPANY — Mayor James Barberio presented a proclamation to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany for their involvement in Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Kiwanis Club placed pin wheels and signs throughout Parsippany to get the word out about Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The proclamation read:
Whereas, children are vital to our communities future success, prosperity, and quality of life as well as being the most vulnerable individuals; and
Whereas, we all have a responsibility, as parents, neighbors, community members and citizens of Parsippany to help create healthy, safe and nurturing experiences for children; and
Whereas, safe, healthy d happy childhoods help produce confident and successful adults; and
Whereas, child abuse and neglect often occur when people find themselves in stressful situations, without community resources, and don’t know how to cope; and
Whereas, the majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are preventable in an engaged and supportive community; and
Whereas, child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure every family has the support they need and deserve to raise their children in a healthy environment; and
Whereas, it is recognized that no one person can do everything, but that everyone can do something, and together, we can create change for the better; and
Whereas, effective prevention programs succeed because of partnerships among agencies, schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and
Whereas, displaying pin wheels or planting a pin wheel garden in April will serve as a positive reminder that together, we can prevent child abuse and keep children safe.
Now therefore, I, James R. Barberio, Mayor of the Township of Parsippany – Troy Hills, do hereby proclaim April 2015 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in Parsippany and urge all citizens to engage in activities that strengthen families and communities to provide the optimal environment for children to learn, grow and thrive so that all children have the benefit of happy, healthy and safe childhoods and further urge everyone to work together to eliminate domestic violence from our community.
Troy Hills School PTA holds ‘A Night at the Art Museum’ Tricky Tray
PARSIPPANY — Troy Hills School PTA held ‘A Night at the Art Museum’ Tricky Tray on Thursday, May 21 at the Parsippany PAL The event was organized by Tricky Tray Chairperson Chrissy Allen. There were over 350 baskets with a retail value over $85,000.00. Participants paid an admission fee of $20.00 and one sheet of Tier 1 tickets. Additional Prize Ticket Prices: Sheet of 25 Tier 1 tickets: $10.00; Sheet of 25 Tier 2 tickets: $15.00; and Single supersize ticket: $5.00.
The money raised from this fundraiser will be used for education programs, cultural and student activities for students of Troy Hills School.
Little League West players raising money
PARSIPPANY — Little League players Tommy, Andrew, Christian, Louis and Anthony were at Quick Check, Green Hills Shopping Center, on Saturday, May 30 collecting money for the Little League West. The boys play on the Accelerent Sales Group Team.