<img class="tdb-logo-img" src="https://parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2018/07/Focus-Logo.gif" alt="Logo" title="" />

-

Jun 4, 2015

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

By

-

Jun 4, 2015

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

By

-

Jun 4, 2015

emma3 — Emma is looking for her furever 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

By

-

Jun 4, 2015

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

By

-

Jun 3, 2015

Pictured are club members Lois Pres White and Cathy Haney

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

By

-

Jun 2, 2015

threewinners — Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., Councilman Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani

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

By

-

Jun 2, 2015

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

By

-

Jun 2, 2015

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.

Have you had your recalled airbag replaced? Yeah, you’re going to have to replace the replacement

By

-

Jun 2, 2015

Any car that was previously repaired because of a previous Takata airbag recall will need brought in again for service, CNN Money reports. The Japanese manufacturer responsible for the world’s largest automotive recall will address U.S. lawmakers Tuesday for a scheduled hearing, where a Takata Corp executive is expected to identify the cause believed to be…

Voter turn out very low in Parsippany

By

-

Jun 2, 2015

nelsonvoting — Former Councilman Jonathan Nelson at the polls

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.

Parsippany man accused of attacking jail officer

By

-

Jun 2, 2015

MORRISTOWN — Anthony A. Novellino of Parisppany — whose mother, Judith Novellino, died after being stabbed 84 times by his father, Anthony F. Novellino of Denville — has been indicted on a charge that he attacked an officer at the Morris County jail. The younger Novellino was being held in the jail in connection with an…

Morris County to Sponsor Public Forum on Mental Health, Addiction and Human Services For Families and Consumers

By

-

Jun 2, 2015

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?

By

-

Jun 1, 2015

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.

Lawmakers now want three casinos in North Jersey

By

-

Jun 1, 2015

TRENTON — Several lawmakers who want to allow casino gambling outside of Atlantic City are now seeking as many as three casinos in northern New Jersey — up from two. The trio of Assembly members from Essex, Bergen and Hudson Counties on Monday announced that they’ve introduced a proposed constitutional amendment — which, if passed by…

ShopRite to appeal after Hanover axes plan to serve alcohol

By

-

Jun 1, 2015

HANOVER – After Hanover officials rejected a proposal to allow ShopRite of Greater Morristown to serve alcohol, the chain’s management says it now plans to appeal the decision. “We’re disappointed with the vote and we’re looking at all of our remedies. An appeal makes sense at this point,” said William Sumas, executive vice president of Village…

Opponents of Greystone demolition question safety procedures

By

-

Jun 1, 2015

Video: John Heubner questions safety of Greystone tear-down. Video by Bill Lescohier. The state tear-down of Greystone’s massive Kirkbride Building is more than a blow to historians; it’s also dangerous to the general public, John Heubner, president of Preserve Greystone, told a rally on Sunday. “Apparently, they have botched the execution of their own plan,” said…

Opponents of Greystone demolition rally that #ThesePlacesMatter

By

-

Jun 1, 2015

PARSIPPANY – In what Preserve Greystone calls “an unprecedented demonstration of solidarity” with New Jersey, rallies were held Sunday in two other states to oppose the tearing down of Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Parsippany. Demolition of the 675,000 square foot Kirkbride building began in April, nearly three years after the state awarded a $34.5 million…

Township to hold “Tax Sale”

By

-

Jun 1, 2015

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

By

-

Jun 1, 2015