MORRISTOWN — A 30-year-old Newark woman admitted Monday that she drove the getaway car for a friend during two bank robberies in 2013 in Parsippany and Springfield. Quiama S. Harris pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree robbery, admitting that she drove the car and took some of the proceeds from the robberies on Dec. 18,…
House Fire on Sedgefield Drive; video and photos
PARSIPPANY — A house fire was reported on Sedgefield Drive, on Tuesday, May 16. Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire District 1, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 3, Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 6, and the Cedar Knolls Volunteer Fire Department Rapid Intervention Team all responded to the scene.
Parsippany Emergency Medical Services, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad and the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad all reported to the scene as well. After a lengthy battle with flames, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control. The fire caused severe damage to the home. Smoke was so heavy at times that reports of smoke set off alarms at Parsippany Hills High School which brought out Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire District 2 to the school.
No injuries were reported. The Parsippany Police Department, Parsippany Police Fire Investigator, Patrol Officer David Cavaliere, the Morris County Sheriff’s Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s office are all investigating the cause of the fire.
House fire on Sedgefield Drive
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Police reported a working house fire on Sedgefield Drive. Parsippany Focus will update this article shortly with photographs, our photograhers are on the scene
Sedgfield Drive between Ferncliff Road and Exeter Street is closed to traffic. Avoid area to allow for emergency vehicles.
Letter to the editor: “No taxation without Representation”
Dear Editor:
I have been a resident of Parsippany for close to 50 years and during that time I have watched as Parsippany has been the forgotten community when it comes to County Government. Whether it is done on purpose or by accident, it seems that the people in County Government feel that we do NOT need anyone from Parsippany to represent us on the Board of Freeholders..
Again this year there is a concentrated effort to get rid of the only person on the Board of Freeholders who actually lives in Parsippany. That person is John Cesaro. Why do they do this? Is not the largest community in North Western New Jersey deserving of representation on our county government???
I have gotten a ton a fliers telling me this about John Ceasro, telling me that about John Cesaro, but all I know is that we have not had an increase in our country taxes in the three years that Mr. Cesaro has been a Freeholder. Our credit rating has stayed in the excellent range when the state of New Jersey has been dropping like a stone. Young people are moving INTO Morris County instead of out of it.
But, far more important is that John Cesaro IS from Parsippany, he has spent his adult life here in Parsippany, he married a young women who also grew up HERE in Parsippany and Mr. Cesaro and his family live now HERE in Parsippany.
We cannot allow Parsippany to have NO representation on our county governing body, the town that sends the most money to Morris County and we would have no say in how that money is spent if we do not have someone watching of best interest. We have John Cesaro now, lets make sure that we maintain him as OUR representative on the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
I urge everyone from Parsippany who votes to lay aside petty party differences, and vote in the Republican Primary in June to keep John Cesaro, FROM PARSIPPANY representing US, republicans, democrats and independents as OUR Chosen Freeholder.
Stephen J. Roman Sr.
Memorial Day … a day remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans — established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountain areas. In cases involving a family graveyard where remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There often is a religious service and a picnic-like “dinner on the ground,” the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the “memorial day” idea.
Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
Transformer fire; Hotel guests stuck in elevators
PARSIPPANY — A transformer caught fire on Smith Road, across the street from the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, and caused a power outage in the area.
The Sheraton Parsippany lost power and there were guests stuck in the elevator, and was released before Parsippany Rescue and Recovery arrived at the scene.
Parsippany Troy-Hills Fire District 6 arrived at the scene and extinguished the area below the transformer which caught on fire.
The Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad was dispatched to the scene, but was canceled before arrival.
There were no injuries and power was only lost for a short period of time.
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The World Comes to Parsippany: Livingston Benedict home historical re-enactment
PARSIPPANY — The annual open house and historical re-enactment at the beautiful Livingston-Benedict home was recently held.
This year’s topic was: “The World Comes to Parsippany,” in which they celebrated the many cultures that make history and town extraordinary.
The event highlighted the immigration stories of Parsippany, how families and individuals chose to immigrate to the US and then migrate to Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Descendants of Irish, Italian, Eastern European and South Asian families make up the Parsippany population today, as well as families descended from Scandinavian, Dutch, French, Greek, German, Scots, British, Asian and Latin American ancestors.
There was costumed re-enactors, activities for kids, demonstrations, displays, performances, and a geneology information table.
The NJ Historic Trust holds an historic and conservation easement on this site, which is privately owned and receives no government support. The annual event living history event is presented for the community by the Peterson family with help from the Parsippany Historic and Preservation Society.
Relay For Life Fundraiser at Gourmet Cafe on June 1
PARSIPPANY — The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Central Morris County’s “Strike Out Cancer” team will be holding a fundraiser at the Gourmet Cafe, as part of the Gourmet Cafe’s “Make A Difference Monday’s” program, on Monday, June 1, 2015.
Regardless of whether you eat lunch or dinner, dine in or take out, or even purchase a gift certificate for future use, Relay For Life will receive 10% of the entire day’s proceeds. Please help us fight cancer, while enjoying a delicious meal!
Gourmet Cafe is located on 136 Baldwin Road, across from St. Peter’s Church. For reservations, please call the Gourmet Cafe at (973) 316-0088.
Should you have any questions about Relay For Life of Central Morris County, which will take place on the campus of County College of Morris, on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, please contact either Margie Forman, “Strike Out Cancer” Team Captain, at (973) 879-9310 or email by clicking here, or or Bonnie Rosenthal, Relay For Life of Central Morris County Chair, at (201) 317-0810 or bonnie@rainbowpeace.net.
Morris Conservatives Keep Focus on Lower Property Taxes, Efficient Government and Opposition to Solar Bailout
Opponents continue cozying up to Big Labor Unions and Democrat PACs, while their paid consultant gets escorted out of Women’s Republican Club debate by the police
Breaking News: Cesaro-Tedesco-Myers Campaign Consultant “plans to sue” Women’s Republican Club
The Morris Conservative Team of Freeholders David Scapicchio and John Krickus, and Denville Councilwoman Deborah Smith convincingly won the final scheduled debate of the campaign this past week by sticking to their conservative message of lower taxes, efficient government and opposition to the solar bailout, while the liberal Cesaro-Tedesco-Myers team were forced to defend massive campaign contributions from Democrats and big labor unions, and embarrassingly watch their paid campaign consultant escorted out of the debate by police for being unruly and disrespectful to the hosts and audience.
The consultant, King Penna, said he plans to sue the Morris County Women’s Republican Club.
The debate, which was held at the Masonic Lodge in Morristown and sponsored by the aforementioned Morris County Women’s Republican Club and Morris Township Republican Committee, drew a crowd of about 100 people. Unfortunately, it was tainted by Cesaro-Tedesco-Myers campaign consultant King Penna causing a scene that required the police to be called.
“Our conservative message is resonating and our liberal opponents are floundering. The Cesaro-Tedesco-Myers team could not explain why they’ve aligned themselves with Democrat power brokers from out of the county, or why they have solicited and accepted nearly $70,000 and counting in campaign contributions from liberal special interests and big labor unions. Moreover, their campaign message of higher taxes, more spending and bigger government makes you wonder if they are running in the right party’s primary election. Their campaign is bankrolled by Democrats, and they sound like Democrats, too.”
Scapicchio, Krickus and Smith also personally thanked the Morris County Women’s Republican Club for hosting and praised them for how they handled the disturbance caused by Penna.
Letter to the editor: Condemn Waterview Landscape Now is the Time; as Legal Chaos May be Judged by Nonsense
Dear Editor:
NOW IS THE TIME TO CONDEMN WATERVIEW LANDSCAPE AS BUILDERS REMEDY THREATENS
Elections remark included. Has our Governor allowed sprawl to continue; has he ended smart growth; should not all housing be affordable locally by jobs and immediate population?
Township Attorney John Inglesino, however, said RD’s new proposal could bypass COAH completely because the application calls for affordable housing only; opening the door for a “persuasive argument” that it could be approved by a judge as “inherently beneficial use” of the land.
The “Inherently beneficial use”; How about the long-term economic benefits of protecting our common watershed, as waterview landscape has several characteristics to quality it as an environmentally sensitive area? Condemning this asset will give indirect valuation our future cost avoidance in water quality and quantity through its ecosystems services already working for us. Waterview has steep slopes, forest and its part of the ground water recharge phenomena. It is also a sponge for the areas flood problems being part of the Troy Brook system, which leads to the Troy Meadows Natural Landmark, Whippany, Rockaway and Passaic river complex. It also plays a part in the aquifer wellhead protections. The landscape enhancing the immediate neighborhood of which no major changes have occurred to warrant such a development. Waterviews should of in reality been rezoned long ago as environmentally sensitive, as the Troy Brook Stormwater Study brought out and as its slopes and forest would demand. It is a left over from the office development frenzy of the past market speculation craze. It condemning as environmentally sensitive would be in keeping with the Troy Brook Study recommending prevention of biodiversity loss, to ensure water integrity and flood control.
The land being private property matters not as its development would affect all of us and the region in general so a common shared interest prevails. Under home rule which Parsippany prides itself on a municipality has the right to condemn land for its own best interest, not the interest of a developer. RD has proven they are no friend of Parsippany and have constantly changed their proposals for the land, showing bad faith in every measure toward the community they intend to change.
The time then is right to condemn the landscape, because now is the time we are sure our township is going to be effected by coming development threats and other developments allowed for economic growth, we therefore need to identify, assess and protect these important environmentally sensitive landscapes making sure they are not compromised forever by unneeded developments or developments that can be placed elsewhere. As Mr. Inglesino stated, vacant land puts us at risk, however vacant land cannot be the legal avenue of right alone in choosing sites for affordable housing. Environmentally sensitive lands should not be developed for any reason, in the best interest of all now and into the future. Parsippany must come to recognize and respect their place in the Highlands, planning zone or not, our responsibility and duty not to damage the common resource of water, as Parsippany’s place in among the seventh largest buried valley aquifer in the Nation. This water resource is a commonly shared natural asset and no developers have the right to allow us to compromise its vitality.
If COAH no longer exist any and all contentions by developers to build affordable housing must be carefully scrutinized as the actual demand must stem from the local population in need of this housing with appropriate renting scales based on income. If defies logic that vacant land alone would dictate where housing would be located, as this will allow sprawl to expand even further inflicting more environmental damage ruining landscapes and impeding the lands ability to replenish its water basins. Traffic and air pollution would also affect the health of us all.
Parsippany has more than met any housing needs and most likely still has enough available housing, as should not all such housing be made so-called affordable? Parsippany nor any single municipality can be targeted without seeing the issue on a regional scale as already existing surrounding housing or housing now in the works of construction must all be accounted and considered.
Simply put the people of any community and especially under Home Rule decide what is good and in the best interest of their community, not outside forces, or developers. This has been the case for too long in Parsippany. Parsippany has unwisely decide not to conform to regional planning, which would bring more transparency, public participation and guaranteed best land use practices without question. It would also prevent the constant lawsuits now plaguing tax payers. It makes no sense to continue this way, but we go on, paying taxes to an administration that does not represent the people of the area. Our tax money goes to assist and add developers with their best interest in mind and a self-serving political machine that accompanies and encourages their wants, ignoring our needs. If water is not important, is more traffic doesn’t matter, more trash, litter and noise well then what does? Home rule is a farce because it should be obvious to all; developers rule and if they don’t get their way like RD they sue, this could not happened under a regional land use plan. It would become too expensive for the developer. In our case it sis for us, while our leaders convince us they are saving us money by compromising or giving in.
Mayors or Councilman who think it is all the choices of the developers, whole foods, or public housing for example should not pretend they are in our service, they are not. Every town has the right to choose its own best interest, in zoning and condemning land when required for the best interest of the people living and paying taxes there.
A vote for the dePierro, Ferrara, Gragnani, team would spell disaster for Parsippanys future which now looks dims enough without them. If there is any hope of keeping Parsippany a nice place to live because of its landscapes and relatively cheap water bills and reasonable taxes, the vote needs to go to Paul Carifi, Aida Visakay and John Beehler. We need leadership not follow ship. Compromise if necessary must bring us all to a higher level. It’s time to stop feeling powerless over nonsense. Developers do not rule Parsippany, Mayor Barberio had no right to invite RD here like he did without prior consent or good reason. We however have with us a most powerful influence in the State of New Jersey, John Inglesino. It is his time to show us his magic; developers have had enough of our community, we ask for waterview landscape to be preserved forever part of Parsippany. Show us the Pride you have for us condemn waterview landscape and let what may happen.
Did not Mayor Barberio state he would save waterview as open space? He has now no other way but to condemn the land for the best interest of Parsippany.
Please find the definition here for landscape, for your entertainment as waterview is such a landscape.
A “landscape” is defined as a large area encompassing an interacting mosaic of ecosystems and human systems that is characterized by a set of intersecting management concerns. The landscape is not defined by the size of the area, but rather by the interacting elements that are meaningful to the management objectives. In addition, for the purposes of this report, the term “landscape” encompasses watersheds and marine environments that match the above description.
15 The term “cumulative impacts” refers to the combined, incremental effects of human activity on a resource, ecosystem, or human community. Impacts of an action may be relatively insignificant on their own, but as they accumulate over time and combine with the impacts from other sources, they can lead to significant overall degradation of resources (EPA, 1999)
Let us think not only of development and growth but the elements of life itself, earth, air water, and soul, without these what good is all else. Vote the Carifi Team.
Even a cactus plant has enough god-given intelligence to store itself water; for its future and those of its surroundings.
Nicholas Homyak
Democrats hold “Meet the Candidates” night at the Library
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Democrats congregated at the Parsippany Library on Wednesday, May 20, kicking off the Democratic campaigns in 2015.
The candidates in attendance were Parsippany-Troy Hills Council hopefuls Janice McCarthy and Nick Kumburis, as well as State Assembly contenders Avery Hart and Wayne Marek. Through event host Julia Peterson, Council candidate Greg Elbin apologized for being unable to attend.
All four of the candidates spoke and answered questions from the packed library conference room. The issues at hand included what the Democrats view as the fiscally irresponsible policies of the current Republican government, as well as addressing concerns of job creation and the Intervale Waterview development.
Janice McCarthy was the first to speak, calling for bipartisanship and bringing “sanity” back to Parsippany. She also spoke about her experience as an advisor to Fortune 500 companies, and believes she has a unique understanding of economic issues from a business perspective, a trait she feels is lacking on the current council. She also pledged to control the rampant lawsuits the Parsippany government has incurred, which she noted, “seem to be motivated more by political vendetta than legitimate reasons”. Ms. McCarthy also stated her opposition to the Waterview development, which has come up again under the Republican administration.
Nick Kumburis, fresh off of receiving his MBA, touched on a broad range of issues, including sanity in government, fiscal responsibility and jobs. Mr. Kumburis expressed a concern about the number of abandoned office buildings in Parsippany unable to attract tenants, raising the overall tax burden on property owners. Mr. Kumburis expressed that there ought to be a broad approach to economic development, including luring smaller businesses, not just the global corporations, to Parsippany.
Kumburis also addressed what he believed to be dysfunction in the Parsippany government, asserting that the infighting on the Republican side is bad publicity for the town and counter-productive to improving the lives of its citizens. “Parsippany has become one of the craziest towns in New Jersey politically,” he said, displaying pieces of campaign literature that had been distributed in the Republican primary. “We should all be able to get along”.
Avery Hart, running for the State Assembly focused on two key issues facing New Jersey: environmentalism and education. Ms. Hart railed against the Pilgrim Pipeline as damaging to local communities, blaming the Christie administration for supporting corporate interests over the needs and wants of the 26th District’s people. “The inaction on this issue by our current Assembly members is unacceptable,” she protested.
Ms. Hart then spoke about the need for a streamlined education bureaucracy on the local level. Her plan involved uniting all the school districts in a given county under one superintendent for that county. She claimed that this would save roughly $100 million which could be used to hire more teachers.
Wayne Marek, also running for the Assembly, first spoke about his experience in public service as a member of the Morris Plains Board of Education. He pointed out that the district was able to stay at or under their tax cap for the length of his tenure, while maintaining strong educational standards. He then went on to discuss growing the local economy through the district’s natural advantages, such as highway accessibility for businesses. He reminded the crowd that the election is, “All about the economy,” and stressed the need for an increased emphasis on a production economy in New Jersey.
Parsippany Democrats co-Chair Julia Peterson closed the meeting, thanking those in attendance and urging all Parsippany residents to vote in the primary election on Tuesday, June 2 and the general election on November 3.
Cellebrite Announces Wounded Warrior Project Sponsorship
PARSIPPANY — Cellebrite, the leading developer and provider of mobile forensic solutions, announced its pledge of financial support for Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a national non-profit organization with a mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. Cellebrite is located at
7 Campus Drive, Suite 210.
“Cellebrite supports those who bravely serve, and we are proud to show our appreciation through this charitable contribution,” said Jim Grady, CEO, Cellebrite Inc. “By committing to a long-term relationship with Wounded Warrior Project, we want to honor the sacrifices that the men and women in uniform have made for our country.”
Cellebrite launched its cornerstone philanthropic initiative at the start of its 2015 corporate planning meeting. Honored guest speaker and wounded veteran Staff Sergeant Erick Millette addressed Cellebrite employees, sharing his experiences and delivering important motivation to drive harder and smarter in all aspects of service to its customers in uniform. Following this moving and motivating speech, Cellebrite Inc. CEO Jim Grady presented Staff Sergeant Millette with a check and pledged future support for Wounded Warrior Project.
“For more than a decade, Wounded Warrior Project has served injured service members, their caregivers and families, continuously adding programs and enhancing our services to help warriors face myriad issues and challenges,” said Ayla Hay, communications executive vice president for Wounded Warrior Project. “As a non-profit organization, Wounded Warrior Project deeply appreciates the ongoing support from supporters like Cellebrite, which help us in reaching our vision to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.”
“As a market leader, Cellebrite is well-known for its innovative mobile forensic solutions, technical expertise and deep knowledge of our customers’ duties and needs,” added Grady. “Cellebrite employees work every day to give law enforcement and government customers the tools they need to gain a tactical advantage over those who commit crimes and threaten our security.”
About Cellebrite
Founded in 1999, Cellebrite is a global company known for its technological breakthroughs in the cellular industry. A world leader and authority in mobile data technology, Cellebrite established its mobile forensics division in 2007, with the Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED). Cellebrite’s range of mobile forensic products, UFED Series, enable the bit-for-bit extraction and in-depth decoding and analysis of data from thousands of mobile devices, including feature phones, smartphones, portable GPS devices, tablets and phones manufactured with Chinese chipsets.
Cellebrite’s UFED Series is the prime choice of forensic specialists in law enforcement, military, intelligence, and corporate security and eDiscovery agencies in more than 100 countries.
Cellebrite is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sun Corporation, a listed Japanese company.
PHS holds Drunk Driving Awareness Program
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School presented the Fifth Annual anti-drunk driving assembly program to the seniors, in the school’s auditorium and outside parking lot on Friday, May 22, warning the students about drinking and driving especially during Prom season. Six seniors were actors involved in a two car accident where seniors were drinking and driving. The six actors were seniors Andrew Massefski, Danielle Jannarone, Amanda Angulo, David Alosio, Kayala Rodriguez and John Bucciarelli.
Assistant Principal for Building Operations Thomas Rizk, Mike Nicosia, Math teacher and Det. Lenahan started working on this year’s program in December. They sat down with the students that were involved every two to three weeks to guide them through the process and to offer our input and suggestions. From beginning to end this project took six months to complete.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Unit, Lake Hiawatha Fire Department Fire District 4, Parsippany Fire District #5, and Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squard, and Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad responded and participated in the dramization at Parsippany High School for the Project Prom Drunk Driving Awareness Program.
The following staff from Parsippany High School participated in the event: Jeff Coviello, Video on the Go; Jim Groome and Matt Lazzari Autos/Woods teachers; Steve Gilgur Science teacher/Sound and Lighting Advisor; Evan Intveld, Art teacher; Makeup by students: Nikki Ilic, Michelle Stanel and Nicolette Villopotto. Evan Shoshan shot all the footage and edited the video, and Tyler Smith from Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.
Senior Andrew Massefski said “Taking part in the event really showed how these types of tragedies can happen to anyone; no one is excluded and you need to take the necessary precautions to make sure it doesn’t happen. You need to be smart about the decisions you make because it doesn’t only effect you it effects everyone around you as well.”
“I just really hope that everyone realizes more now of how much of an impact one bad decision can make. I hope that people take something away from this presentation and gets the powerful message that it is never okay to drink and drive under any circumstance, stated senior Danielle Jannarone.
“The program at Parsippany High School this morning on drinking and driving delivered a very powerful and poignant message to our students. It is so important to reinforce this message at this time of year. Thank you to the students, parents, and Administrators who put the program together. Special thanks to Det. Lenahan and the Parsippany police department and to our wonderful volunteers from the ambulance squad, fire departments and rescue and recovery squad,” said Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education President Fran Orthwein.
The characters David Alosio, Danielle and Amanda died at the scene; Kayala Rodriguez suffered brain damage from internal bleeding and Andrew Massefski was paralyzed and will never walk again. The driver, John Bucciarelli, was charged with DWI and First Degree Manslaughter and will remain in jail until 2065.
Don’t drink and drive. If you been drinking, always call someone. Don’t let your friends drink and drive.
The event was also video-taped by Video On The Go, click here to view video.
Basement fire on Park Road
PARSIPPANY — Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2 , Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1 and Boonton Volunteer Fire Department Rapid Intervention Team were on scene of a structure fire in the basement on Park Road on Friday, May 22 at approximately 2:00 a.m.
The occupants got out safe and no injuries were reported.
Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad was standing by and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery was assisting the fire departments at the scene.
Vidyalaya hosts Annual Show
PARSIPPANY — Vidyalaya hosted it’s Annual Show on Sunday, May 17 at Parsippany Hills High School.
Vidyalaya is a school of Indian heritage and culture in Parsippany. The classes are held once a week on Sunday mornings at Brooklawn Middle School. Over 200 students attend the school to learn Indian languages, culture and dharma. This community school has 100 teachers and over 100 volunteers who help to run this non-profit, all volunteer organization. They host many festivals and celebrations throughout the year, such as Navratri, Pongal, Lohri, Holi, etc. The Annual Event held during the spring months is the largest of them all. Today’s annual function had over 500 visitors and saw all the students emcee the program as well as perform a variety of acts including dances, plays, presentations, singing, playing instruments,etc. The students were coached by their talented language teachers from the Hindi, Gujarati and Telugu classes as well as the assistance from their student teachers. Everyone enjoyed the event followed by a traditional Indian lunch.
The event was attended by numerous dignitaries including: Mayor of Parsippany-Troy Hills James Barbiero; Undersheriff William Schiavella; Ragini Goel, Morris County Human Relations Commission; Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., Vice President of Parsippany-Troy Hills Council, Robert Peluso; Assemblyman Jay Webber, Morris County Sheriff Ed Rochford; Community Relations Representative Samara Forbes; Jounalist and Hindi teacher Ashok Ojha; Vice President of Central Hindi Institute in India Dr. Kamal Goyanka and Community Activist Sue Waldman.
The event was organized and led by Mahendra Patel, a parent of three Parsippany students, along with a large team of volunteers. It was supported by Principal of Vidyalaya, Asmita Mistry and Vice Principal Anurag Rochlani.
Vidyalaya means “School” in Sandkrit and their “Vidyalaya” is an all-volunteer run organization based in Morris County. Their mission is to provide a platform and an envirnoment for their children where they not only excel at learning the languages of India, but also develop a deep understanding and appreciation of the Indian Culture and the Hindu way of life. They have enrolled over 200 children in the year 2014-2015.
Breaking news: Route 46 reopened
PARSIPPANY — Earlier reports indicate a tractor-trailer hit telephone poles and there are wires down on Route 46, between Beverwyck Road and New Road. The road was closed while the wires in the highway were removed and repaired. The road is now open to traffic.
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Memorial Day activities to Commemorate those who served our Country
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany is gearing up to commemorate those men and women who served the country in the military, Memorial Day marks the time for Americans to reflect on those men and women.
Memorial Day festivities will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Hiawatha Park with a VFW Ceremony honoring Parsippany service members who died in Vietnam.
At 10:00 a.m. in Veterans Memorial Park, Route 46 and Vail Road, Reverend Bragg of Parsippany Presbyterian Church will conduct the invocation; the Boys and Girls Scouts will lead the Pledge of Allegiance; the American Creed will be recited; Mayor James Barberio will explain the history of Memorial Day; and the history of Flanders Field will be recited by Eileen White of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
An honored guest at the ceremony will be Ed Zelichowski, a World War II veteran and 100-year-old who will help perform the wreath laying ceremony.
A VFW Rifle Squad will conduct the salute, and Taps will be played.
In addition, Siobhan Fuller, mother of Parsippany’s Derek McConnell, who died after being wounded in Afghanistan, will be a guest speaker at the event.
Starting at 12:00 noon, the annual Parsippany Memorial Day parade will begin at Katherine Drive and North Beverwyck Road and end at Volunteers Park.
North Beverwyck Road will be closed at 11:45 a.m. until after the parade between Vail and Knoll roads.