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Jun 12, 2015

Diance Vaglio, a teacher at Parsippany High School and Central Middle School is one of the teachers retiring

PARSIPPANY— The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education announced the following employees are retiring:

Robin Antoshkiw, Raymond Bajor, Dorothy Barron, Michelle Bodtmann, Lynn Burck, Joanne Caponegro, Anne-Marie Carey, June Caron, Keki Dadachanji, Esther Davila, Jean Delardo, Kathleen Finch, Joanne Fisher, Ann Marie Fitzgerald, Grace Fulgraff, James Groome, Emily Hannan and Angela Jovino.

Also retiring are Barbara Labonia, George Lambe, Louis Maccarella, Ruth Madpak, Jacqueline Materek, Thomas McNeel,y Vita Morales, Ethel Obernauer, Robert Petrozza, Ann Phillips, Fred Piotrowsky, Huan-Chu Pohlman, Catherine Posselt, Susan Raymond, Mary Ellen Romano, John San Giovanni, Marty Siegel, Michelle Tobia,s Diane Vaglio and Margaret VanDyke.

The retirees range from teachers, principals, maintenance workers, transportation and district workers.

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education is proud to honor the careers of the staff members.

Lake Parsippany School teacher Michelle Bodtmann is retiring

Coach Albano honored for his achievements

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Jun 10, 2015

The Vikings Football team waiting for Coach Albano to enter the Cafeteria

Coach Albano was told to come to the cafeteria for a difference reason, he didn’t know he was the guest receiving multiple awards

Mayor James Barberio congratulating Dave Albano

Luke Haltigan, Kyle McGinley, JD Keyes, Coach Albano and Angelo Gallego with the Daily Record Football Team of the year award

The first award presented was the team award. The announcement of the team award from the Daily Record:

Matt Joyce turned and threw his arms straight up into the air. Angelo Gallego ran up to Ryan Shaw and lifted Shaw high off the MetLife Stadium turf. Coaches hugged. Players high-fived. Fans stood up and screamed. Before long, the stadium’s field was a sea of black, white, and blue. The Vikings concluded the 2014 season in a way that they never have before: with a state championship. Parsippany Hills held on for a pulsating 20-13 victory over Cranford in NJSIAA North 2 Group 3 for the first sectional football title in school history.

Albano also receive the following awards:

The first is the USA Today All USA NJ Football Coach of the Year.

Mugs Media Coach of the Year Award – Mugs Media is a full service video production company based out of Sparta, New Jersey. Mugs Media is the premier video production company in the area. Mugs Media offers athletic recruitment videos for your Son or Daughter to assist them in getting noticed in the college selection process.

Morris Sussex Football name Dave Coach of the Year. Morris Sussex Football wrote the following: Dave Albano took a freshman quarterback, an undersized running back, a bunch of scrappy tough kids from the streets of Parsippany and then physically kicked the crap of everyone they faced until they won the ultimate prize. Albano has been ranked as the preseason favorite to win states quite a few times but was never able to bring it home. This year the Vikings were rated as a solid team but nobody picked them to win states. But Albano had his team believing that nothing could get in their way. All season, the Vikes pounded, pushed and clawed their way until they ended up beating Cranford at MetLife Stadium to win Albano his first state championship.

New Jersey Football Coaches Association awarded Dave with their Coach of the Year Award – Their Mission Statement reads: The purpose of the New Jersey Football Coaches Association is to maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the profession of coaching football; to promote the highest level of interscholastic competition and to honor the young men who play this great game. In addition, the goal of the association is to have a strong voice in legislation that affects football programs across the state.

Luke Haltigan, JD Keyes, Kyle McGinley, Angelo Gallego and Coach Albano and with the plaque

Angelo Gallego, JD Keyes, Luke Haltigan, Kyle McGinley with Coach Albano

Coach Albano holding the frame the team presented him with

Coach Albano, Luke Haltigan, Kyle McGinley, JD Keyes and Angelo Gallego with the team presentation

Boy Scouts Attend Council Meeting to earn badges

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Jun 10, 2015

IMG_5948-1 — Boy Scout Joshua Knowle, Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Vice President Robert J. Peluso and Matthew Sonzogni

PARSIPPANY — Two members of Parsippany Boy Scout Troop 72 attended the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council meeting on Tuesday, June 9 to earn a “Citizenship in the Community” badge.

Joshua Knowle and Matthew Sonzogni attended Tuesday’s meeting to earn their badges.

Requirements to earn the badge include:

A) Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.

B) Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and the Scout must explain to their counselor why they agree with one opinion more than you do another one.

There were other optional requirements, but both scouts choose to attend the township council meeting.

At the end of the meeting they had the opportunity to speak to Council Vice President Robert Peluso.

Student Awards for Excellence in Wrestling

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Jun 10, 2015

Board Members Andy Choffo, Judy Mayer, Wrestler Andrew Massefski and Wrestling coach Fred Piotrowsky

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 receiving awards for Wrestling included Michael IIic, Aarin Feliz, Andrew Massefski, Ganesh Persaud, Philip Gohn, Kevin Jones, Brandon Leibfred, Brandon Jones, Nigel Feliz, Carlos Huaman and Christopher Gentile.

Announcing the honors was Coordinating Principal for Athletics K-12, Physical Education & Health (Parsippany High School and Central Middle School) Norman Francis, Jr., Ed.D.

Coordinating Principal for Athletics K-12, Physical Education & Health (PHS/CMS) Norman Francis, Jr., Ed.D.

Board Members Andy Choffo, Judy Mayer, Wrestler Aarin Feliz and Wrestling coach Fred Piotrowsky

Aarin Feliz was honored for his performance in First Team – All Conference; Second Place in the Hopatcong Tournament Parsippany Tournament and Morris County Tournament; Third place in District 9 and in Region 3.

Andrew Massefski was honored for his performance in First Team -All Conference; First place in the Hopatcong Tournament, Parsippany Tournament, Morris County Tournament, in District 9, and Region 3; Fifth place in the NJSIAA Tournament and received the Outstanding Wrestler Award.

Board Members Andy Choffo, Judy Mayer, Wrestler Ganesh Persaud and Wrestling coach Fred Piotrowsky

Ganesh Persaud was honored for his performance in First Team – All Conference; First place in the Hopatcong Tournament, and Parsippany Tournament; Third place in the Morris County Tournament; Second place in District 9 and fourth place in Region 3.

Board Members Andy Choffo, Judy Mayer, Wrestler Kevin Jones and Wrestling coach Fred Piotrowsky

Kevin Jones was honored for his performance in Second Team – Alt Conference; First place in the Hopatcong Tournament; Second place in the Parsippany Tournament, Morris County Tournament, in District 9, and Region 3.

Also honored was Michael Ilic for his performance in First Team – All Conference; Second place in the Hopatcong Tournament and Parsippany Tournament; Third place in the Morris County Tournament and Second place in District 9.

Philip Gohn was honored for his performance in Second Team – All Conference; First place in the Hopatcong Tournament; Second place in the Parsippany Tournament and Third place in District 9, and in Region 3.

Brandon Leibfred was honored for his performance in Second Team – All Conference; and Second place in the Hopatcong Tournament.

Brandon Jones was honored for his performance in Second Team – Alt Conference; Second place in District 9; Third place in the Hopatcong Tournament and Morris County Tournament and Fourth place in the Parsippany Tournament.

Also honored was Nigel Feliz for his performance in Second Team – Alt Conference; Third place in the Parsi ppany Tournament; Second place in the Morris County Tournament; and Third place in District 9.

Carlos Huaman was honored for his performance in Second Team – Alt Conference; Second place in the Hopatcong Tournament; Third place in District 9 and Fourth place in the Parsippany Tournament.

Christopher Gentile received a Honorable Mention – All Conference; and First place in the Parsippany Tournament.

Ty Sallie was selected to play on the 11u NorthEast All-American Team

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Jun 10, 2015

PARSIPPANY — After winning first place at Yankee Stadium in the Pitch, Hit and Run contest in 2013, Ty Sallie, 12, of Mount Tabor has made two more amazing major strides in his baseball career:

On Tuesday, June 9, it was announced on www.usssa.com live stream that Ty Sallie was selected to play on the 11u NorthEast All-American Team for the USSSA All-American Games.

The Northeast region consists of New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware.

Each of the eight regions throughout the country have local tryouts for ages 9-14. Ty was also selected as one of the top performers of the Northeast Try-out in North Branford, CT. The All-American Games are scheduled for August 2 to August 7 at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.

Ty was also selected as one of top 100 12u players to participate in the 2015 National Open for 12u Team USA. Each state throughout the country has one local tryout and current Major League scouts and former professional players evaluate each player. The 2015 National Open will be held July 13 to July 15 at the MLB Youth Academy in California. From there, 24 players from the National Open will be selected to participate in the Team Trials July 16 to July 18. The last stage will be 12 players selected from the Team Trials to represent their country at the 12U World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan from July 21 to August 3.

Ty has been playing Par-Troy West Little League since he was five years old. He currently is a sixth grader at Brooklawn Middle School and resides in Mount Tabor.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with expenses of the trip. Click here for more information.

“Pedals For Progress’’ Used Bikes Collection

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Jun 10, 2015

RANDOLPH — The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, in concert with non-profit Pedals for Progress, will collect used bicycles in reasonably good condition, plus used sewing machines in working order at a collection event set for Saturday, June 13. The event will run from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the County College of Morris, Parking Lot #1, at 214 Center Grove Road.

Pedals for Progress collects thousands of bicycles and sewing machines annually and sends them to needy people in developing countries. Over the past 25 years, the group has collected more than 144,000 bikes, and collected more than 3,000 sewing machines in recent years.

The bikes are reconditioned by partner agencies and distributed at low cost to poor working adults, providing them with reliable transportation for commuting to work and school, transporting produce to markets, accessing health care and other essential services.

A $10.00 fee per bicycle is required to help defray the more than $30.00 in costs for shipping, reconditioning and distributing each bike. Bikes with bent or very rusty frames, disassembled bikes, bike parts and tricycles will not be accepted.

Bike helmets will be collected free of charge as will small hand tools such as wrenches for the overseas shops.

Working sewing machines, both electric and non-electric, also will be collected. There is a $10.00 fee for the sewing machines to help defray the cost of shipping them to qualified nonprofit partners to set up small cooperative clothing businesses around the world.

All cash and material donations are tax deductible, and a receipt will be available at the collection site.

For more information or directions, please call the MCMUA at (973) 285-8393, or click here.

Additional information about Pedals for Progress and its various overseas projects is available on its website, www.p4p.org.

Authorities Release Cause And Manner Of Death Of David Bird

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Jun 10, 2015

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp reports that a determination as to the Cause and Manner of David Bird’s death has been completed.

After an examination by Dr. Carlos A Fonseca of the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of David Bird’s death was certified as drowning and the manner of death was certified as an accident.

The Bird family has requested that the community and media respect their privacy at this time.

There will be no further information released from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office regarding this matter.

Letter to the editor: Board of Education President Fumbles Music Committee Appointment

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Letters to the Editor

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Jun 10, 2015

letters Dear Editor:

I attended the Board of Education on Thursday, May 30, because I wanted to voice my support for the Music Program in Parsippany’s School District. Over the past 2 years, the music program has been the target of budget cuts and what appears to be strategically planned personnel and scheduling changes by Superintendent Rixford, which seem to be designed to undermine or dismantle the music program.

Several months ago, the Superintendent proposed moving all instrument lessons to after school. This was opposed by music students and their parents because many of the children were involved in after school activities and athletic events. Fortunately, the Board of Education pushed back on this plan and required the Superintendent to come up with another alternative. His alternative was for children to take their private lessons during their band practice period, which is like asking the manager of a baseball team to give private batting lessons while managing a scrimmage. It was an illogical solution, which either expressed a fundamental ignorance of music education or possibly revealed an underlying goal of removing music from the public school system.

At the Board of Education Meeting on May 30th, many parents and children spoke, during the public session, to express their concerns for the changes that the Superintendent has proposed and the importance of music education. It seemed as if their arguments were well received by the Board. Frank Neglia proposed creating an Ad Hoc committee to look into what the Board can do to find time for private lessons to take place during the school day, and not in conflict with band class, as has always been the case. Andy Choffo, immediately indicated that he would like to be the Chair of that committee and other board members expressed interest in being part of the committee as well. This left Board of Education President, Fran Orthwein, with what would appear to be the logical task of forming the committee, with Andy Choffo as the chair.

Well, something apparently happened which prevented Ms. Orthwein from doing the “logical” thing. Yes, she did form a committee, but, she didn’t appoint Mr. Choffo as the chair of that committee.

In fact, to the surprise of many, she didn’t appoint Mr. Choffo to the committee at all. As a Parsippany taxpayer, I have to wonder why Ms. Orthwein chose to snub Mr. Choffo in this fashion? I am hopeful that the new committee will come up with viable alternatives to maintain the integrity of the music program. However, my understanding is that the Superintendent serves at the pleasure of the Board of Education.

I am concerned that this President of the Board of Education may have been either influenced or intimidated by the Superintendent, and if that is the case, that is not a good thing for our students and our residents.

David Comora
Parsippany

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.

Teddy Comora is placed on Cornell University Dean’s List

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Jun 10, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Teddy Comora, a 2014 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, has been placed on the Dean’s List of the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences at for Excellence in Scholarship, for the Spring Semester of 2015. Teddy is majoring in Economics with a minor in Music.

Click here to view a copy of the certificate Teddy received.

Letter to Editor: Reconsider Purchase Westbrook Farms

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Letters to the Editor

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Jun 10, 2015

Dear Editor:

This is a letter sent to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman.

It also appears some contract has already been drawn up before any public debate?

Parsippany’s open space monies should be used for remaining prime habitat preservation for wild animals; primarily birds, migrating and permanent residence. Councilman Peluso spoke of teaching children concern for animals through direct contact; however Westbrook favor “domestic” animals and an artificial setting, not a true farm. Domestic animals already have plenty of advocacy in many spheres of life.

It is not on the list as “Historic” nor as outstanding natural area. That is why it was mentioned Parsippany has no Natural Resource Inventory, so in reality we don’t know where to look. Visiting Block 136 Lot 43.3 on June 9th, may I state this small landscape is quite a gem, its loss for another office complex seems almost sinful. If the owner of Westbrook was that devoted in a deep valued sense he would simply donate the property, and most likely still make out quite well as he already has in life. Too many other critical landscapes important to quality of life, in various neighborhoods exists or are forgotten.

Regional Plan Conformance would help us in many of these aspects of keeping a place worth living, called Parsippany. Some people look at a landscape and see emptiness, some see life in its diversity of nature. Some image a place of peace and tranquility for other life forms, some see another opportunity to make short-term profit for another place to shop or eat, with its impacts of noise, traffic, litter and trash, which they do not find of consequence in their self-serving schemes.

Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha

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.

Activist sues over access to $88M solar project settlement

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Letters to the Editor

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Jun 10, 2015

countycollegeofmorrissolar — County College of Morris. Photo Courtesy of Sunlight General Capital

NEWTON — A citizen activist from Sparta has filed three lawsuits seeking to expand public access to the legal settlement of an $88 million, three-county solar project that stalled amid litigation between the contractor and developer. In the suits filed against Sussex County in Superior Court in Newton, Jesse Wolosky said he is asking to see…

Parsippany Promotes Two Officers

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Jun 9, 2015

thewieners — The Wieners - Jack Wieners, Gloria Wieners, Capt. John J. Wieners and Irene Wieners. File Photo

Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps congratulates Captain John Wieners

Former Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps resigned on March 1, 2018

The Wieners – Jack Wieners, Gloria Wieners, Capt. John J. Wieners and Irene Wieners. File Photo

Kim Auriemma, Sgt. James Auriemma, Anthony Auriemma and Debbi Papa

PARSIPPANY— Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Paul Philipps promoted two officers at Parsippany Municipal Building on Tuesday, June 9. Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio administered the oath of office to both officers.

Lieutenant John Wieners III received a promotion to the rank of Captain

Captain Wieners, 39, and a native resident of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

He is a 1993 graduate of Parsippany High School and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1997 from the Mansfield University in Pennsylvania.

Captain Wieners was a Police Explorer for the Parsippany Police Department in 1990 before being hired as a Dispatcher in 1997.

He was hired as a Police Officer in 2000. He has served his assignments in both the Patrol Division and Investigative Division.

He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in March, 2006 and Lieutenant in September, 2011. Captain Wieners received a Life Saving Medal, two Exceptional Duty Awards, and two Unit Citations from the Parsippany Police Department. He also received a Valor Award from the Morris County 200 Club and NJ State PBA.

Captain Wieners also volunteers with the Lake Hiawatha Fire District 4. He is married to Irene and his father is a retired Detective from the Parsippany Police Department.

Officer James Auriemma was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Sergeant Auriemma, 48, began his law enforcement career with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in 1998.

He was hired as a Patrol Officer by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department in 2000 after graduating the Morris County Public Safety Academy ‘s 56th class for Basic Police Officers.

Sgt. Auriemma was assigned to the Patrol Division before being transferred to the Traffic Section in 2006.

He is a Crash Investigator and Radar Instructor for the department. He also serves on the department’s Tactical Rifle Team and Honor Guard and is the supervisor for the Township’s Crossing Guards. Sergeant Auriemma also received a Life Saving Award and Exceptional Duty Award during his time at the Parsippany Police Department.

“It is truly an honor to celebrate the exceptional service John (Jay) Wieners and Jim Auriemma continuously provide to our community. Jay and Jim’s tireless work ethic is unparalleled and sets a true model for all law enforcement in New Jersey and throughout the country. Our township is so grateful to Jay, Jim and all our police officers who risk their lives every day to protect us from harm,” said Councilman Louis Valori.

Power to stay on under new deal at shuttered Revel

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Jun 8, 2015

A new deal reached between the owner of the former Revel Casino in Atlantic City and the energy company that serves the shuttered resort will keep the power on at the boardwalk property. But a long-term agreement has yet to be reached. The deal between Florida developer Glenn Straub’s Polo North Country Club and ACR Energy…

Police Officer Jesse Hughes sworn in

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Jun 8, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Police Officer Jesse Hughes graduated from the 84th class of the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. Officer Hughes will begin training immediately with the Patrol Division.

Hughes, 25, is a former Marine who had been assigned to the Ninth Engineer Support Battalion in Cherry Point, North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan.

He is a graduate of High Point High School in Wantage and Sussex County Community College where he obtained an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. He is an active volunteer with soup kitchens at the Manna House in Newton and Harvest House in Sussex.

Wildstein claims Christie broke law by revealing grand jury information, report says

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Jun 8, 2015

TRENTON — A key figure in the George Washington Bridge scandal claimed in a sworn statement that Gov. Chris Christie revealed information about a grand jury proceeding, thus breaking federal law, according to a report by the New York Times. David Wildstein, the former Port Authority official who pleaded guilty to federal charges last month for…

Wildstein makes new accusations against Christie

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Jun 8, 2015

David Wildstein, the former Port Authority official who has pleaded guilty in the Bridgegate scandal, accused Governor Chris Christie of revealing secret Grand Jury testimony during a 2010 meeting about Port Authority Police leadership, a violation of federal law, according to a report in The New York Times. In answering Interrogatories in a civil case unrelated…

How should Christie declare his 2016 presidential campaign?

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Jun 8, 2015

TRENTON — Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz announced it on Twitter. George Pataki used a video on his website. Others, such as Marco Rubio and Mike Huckabee, took the more traditional route: delivering a speech in front of supporters. Now, the question is: How will Gov. Chris Christie tell the world he is officially running for…

61 people arrested at Summer Jam, police say

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Jun 8, 2015

EAST RUTHERFORD — Police arrested 61 people Sunday outside of Summer Jam. New Jersey State Police said in a statement that eight troopers received minor injuries in clashes with crowds. Concert goers tried to climb fences and push past security at the MetLife Stadium entrance gate, police said. RELATED: Witnesses describe chaotic scene outside Summer Jam…

Community members participate in BAPS Blood donation drive

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Jun 8, 2015