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.
Lake Hiawatha Park Memorial Day Service
PARSIPPANY — The VFW 10154 held a Memorial Day Service at Lake Hiawatha Park.
The group honored our Lake Hiawatha sons who made the supreme sacrifice in Vietnam.
CWO John Peter Koob, United States Army, December 17, 1968 and PFC Donald Lee Wickline, Jr., United States Army, June 15, 1969 were both killed in action during the Vietnam War.
Others in attendance included Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi, Freeholder John Cesaro, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilman Louis Valori.
Letter to the editor: The Parsippany Town Council: Who Deserves Your Vote?
Dear Editor:
We have an extremely important Republican primary election coming up next Tuesday, June 2. I’ve provided my choices for the town council seats below, along with the rationale for my thinking and the sources of my information.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the Carifi / Visakay / Beehler ticket is the one to vote for in Tuesday’s Republican primary election. In fact, I believe that it is critical to vote for this team.
Why?
Because I’m in favor of the elimination of dishonesty and malfeasance on the part any member of the township’s administration.
Because I’m for smaller government, honesty and transparency. I’m for lower taxes in a town that preaches lower taxes and has raised taxes faster than the rate of inflation for decades.
Because there is growing suspicion that many of the actions of the present administration are highly questionable. I also am opposed to the stream of perceived vicious actions taken by this administration, some of which I’ve highlighted below.
Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., has continuously worked to oppose these actions. The Carifi / Visakay / Beehler ticket will support Carifi in these actions.
[Aside: Please note that the substantiation for the information provided in this write-up came from NJ.com, Parsippany Focus, Parsippany Patch, The Daily Record and SaveJersey.com, a total of five different sources.]
Let’s take a look at some facts.
“NJ’s Future First”
The dePierro / Ferrara / Gragnani ticket is presently receiving massive support from an extremist liberal super PAC (Political Action Committee) called “NJ’s Future First.” It turns out that this PAC has been shown to be radically liberal and has ties to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Source, nj.com. Click here to read complete story. PAC linked to Democrats draws fire for backing GOP slate in Parsippany council primary
Washington, D.C.-based political action committee linked to Democrats has been paying for mailings on behalf of a Republican slate in the primary for Parsippany Township Council, touching off the latest political firestorm in the ever-volatile township.
The group, New Jersey’s Future First, has sent out at least three mailings favorable to the slate of Michael dePierro, Vincent Ferrara and Loretta Gragnani, who are opposing Paul Carifi Jr., John Beehler and Aida Visakay.
Here, Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., questions the true political orientation of a Republican ticket that would accept help from a far-left super-PAC: Click here to read complete story. D.C. Super PAC gets involved in Parsippany council race
Council President Paul Carifi Jr., who is leading his own Republican ticket for re-election, issued a statement demanding an explanation from dePierro and his running mates, former Councilman Vincent Ferrara and businesswoman Loretta Gragnani.
“That Republican candidates would call themselves ‘true conservatives’ and then secure the backing of a liberal super PAC that is aligned with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, as well as other liberal candidates and organizations across the country, is offensive to every Republican voter in Parsippany,” Carifi said in his statement.
The flier, which has a picture of the candidates and slogans such as “True Conservative Republicans for Council,” states that it was “Paid for and approved by New Jersey’s Future First, without the consent or approval of any candidate or committee.”
Now, why is an uber-liberal super PAC supporting dePierro, Ferrara and Gragnani who are Republicans and supposedly conservative?
Worse, this monstrous super-PAC has been circulating flyers accusing Carifi of actions that he has not taken.
The famous leftist radical, Saul Alinski, taught community organizers to “…always accuse the other side of what you are doing yourself”. (Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals, 1971, Random House, ISBN0-679-72113-4) In one of the most blatant examples of this behavior that I’ve seen, NJ’s Future First” wrote in a recent piece of circulated literature, “No wonder he [Carifi] is teaming with state democratic powerhouses to protect his personal revenue stream!” [Note that there is no substantiation provided for the radical super-PAC’s statement, but only an unsupported and outlandish claim.]
I admit that I burst out laughing at the idiocy of this statement. This radical super-PAC is spending tens of thousands of dollars supporting the dePierro / Ferrara / Gragnani team. Therefore, it is circulating literature with false accusations that describe EXACTLY what the super-PAC itself is doing, in its best Alinsky-esque, extremist radical way.
The PAC also accuses Carifi, in other circulated literature, of running up $700,000 in legal expenses for the town, an accusation so absurd that it makes the writer look like a fool.
The article goes on to explain, With Councilmen Louis Valori and Robert Peluso, Carifi has formed a council majority that has repeatedly clashed with Mayor James Barberio and Township Attorney John Inglesino, particularly regarding what Carifi terms as excessive legal bills accrued by the township.
Many of those legal bills have resulted from the administration’s defense of a lawsuit brought against the township by Carifi’s brother, former township police Capt. James Carifi, who claims he was denied promotion and retaliated against for exposing department misconduct. Other significant legal and related investigative expenses have been accrued by the township for its investigation of subsequent allegations that James Carifi deleted or stole electronic documents from the department prior to his retirement in 2013.
“Mike dePierro certainly has a liberal record of raising property taxes and rubber-stamping outrageous legal fees to his politically connected friends,” Carifi wrote. “But for him and his running mates to accept financial muscle from a liberal Democratic fundraiser who helped elect Barack Obama and now wants to elect Hillary Clinton is an outrage.”
Note that dePierro has denied involvement with the super-PAC. Yet, if the dePierro / Ferrara / Gragnani ticket disagreed with the super-PAC’s support, would they not have contacted this super-PAC and told them to stand down? It appears that they have not.
However, the point here is not to establish the ticket’s truthfulness in this matter. The issue has now devolved to this: is there any validity to the $700,000 claim?
Let’s dig into the origin of the supposed (but unsubstantiated) $700,000.
James Carifi, Paul Carifi’s Brother Used to Retaliate During Mayoral Race.
Paul Carifi’s brother, James, was denied a promotion and accused of wrongdoing in an act of apparent retaliation by the township administration soon after the beginning of the mayoral race in 2013. [James Carifi was later cleared of ALL charges, and the complaints were found to be nearly absurd].
This is explored in the following excerpt from an nj.com article: Click here to read complete article. Investigation into ex-cop is political payback, says brother running for Parsippany mayor
When Parsippany placed retiring Capt. James Carifi under internal affairs investigation — stalling and jeopardizing his pension and $368,482.02 unused-time payout — it was retribution for his brother’s decision to run against Mayor James Barberio, Councilman Paul Carifi said in a statement Wednesday.
“Time and time again, Jamie Barberio resorts to unscrupulous schemes in an attempt to ascertain an easy campaign victory,” Carifi said.
Paul Carifi also said a motion filed Friday in Morristown Superior Court alleging his brother of various acts of misconduct was revenge-motivated.
I found this alleged retaliation to be childishly vicious. It frankly disgusted me.
Captain James Carifi was completely exonerated, as this Parsippany Focus article shows. Click here to read complete article. Captain Carifi Exonerated
PARSIPPANY — Retired Parsippany Police Captain, James Carifi, has been exonerated by the state Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Justice, the Star Ledger has reported. Township Attorney John Inglesino and Mayor James Barberio had alleged that Carifi had deleted scores of emails and police documents off township police servers in the days leading up to his retirement in the spring of 2013. In a letter sent to Inglesino and Carifi attorney, Edward Bilinkas, Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Rappa wrote “that criminal charges will not be pursued” but recommend “that these matters be referred back to Parsippany for further administrative action” but “in light of the pending litigation, Parsippany should consider hiring an independent hearing officer.” Click here to read complete article. Council files suit against Barberio; Council to investigate money allegedly illegally spent.
The same article goes on to cite further retaliation against Paul Carifi through his brother, James:
In court proceedings last week, [James] Carifi successfully petitioned the Superior Court in Morristown to overturn Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps’ denial of a firearms purchasers ID card.
Under oath at the gun permit hearing last week, Carifi attorney Edward Bilinkas asked Chief Philipps, “Would you agree with me that you’ve made numerous mistakes regarding James Carifi while he was employed as a police officer and after?” Philipps replied with a simple “Yes.” [Emphasis is mine.]
The conclusion: It seems that the township administration trumped up false charges against James Carifi. This strongly suggests that the spurious charges were merely a means of retaliation against his brother, Paul Carifi, Jr. James sued and was exonerated of all wrongdoing.
Now the extremist group, NJ’s Future First, has circulated completely false literature accusing Paul Carifi of creating legal bills when the man was not even a party to the lawsuit!
The irony is that these legal expenses were not caused by Paul Carifi, Jr., but rather were the result of the administration’s own (apparently) invented allegations against his brother, James Carifi.
This seems to be a shocking display of dishonesty and malfeasance.
I also interpret this another way: the township administration was apparently willing to waste $700,000 of taxpayer money in legal fees in an attempt to damage James Carifi’s reputation and smear his good name. The extremist group, NJ’s Future First, is now attributing this legal issue and costs to Paul Carifi.
This means that they twisted the facts to discredit the Carifi / Visakay / Beehler team, while ignoring the waste of taxpayer money on the part of the accusers. Is the good of Parsippany foremost in the extremist super-PAC’s actions? Perhaps there are there much darker motives driving these leftists.
This is the gang that supports dePierro / Ferrara / Gragnani. If this ticket accepts massive support from a radically liberal super-PAC, what is their true political orientation? Why would an extremist leftist organization choose to support them?
In good conscience, and in the interest of what is best for Parsippany, the Carifi / Visakay / Beehler ticket is the best choice to vote for on June 2nd.
With warm personal regards,
Jack Puglis
Note:
These links add additional depth but are not referenced above.
Parsippany Council Candidates Rope in County GOP on Mailer Sent by Dem PAC. Click here to read complete article.
Carifi, Jr. and company ask county chairman to weigh-in on material supporting dePierro team.
Something is rotten in the state of Parsippany. Click here to read complete article.
PIRATE swim team holds car wash to raise money
PARSIPPANY — Members of the PIRATE swim team were at Parsippany Elks Lodge #2078, 230 Parsippany Road, on Saturday, May 30, washing cars to raise money to support the team.
The team will also have a “Clothing Drive” fundraiser at Drewes Beach, 701 Lake Shore Drive on Saturday, June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Donate usable clothes, shoes, belts, hats, backpacks, linens, blankets, toys, dishes and glasses, bicycles. Please no winter boots, single shoes, skates, rugs, bord games, book or electronic/small appliances. For more information contact Jenn at (973) 610-6511.
Parsippany EMS performs Child Seat Safety Inspections
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Emergency Medical Services with Safe Kids performed “Car Seat Safety” inspections on Saturday, May 29, at Parsippany Municipal Building.
There were Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on hand to inspect car seats for proper installation, fit and use. Any errors in installation will be pointed out and explained to the parent or guardian.
Approximately 80% of all child safety seats are incorrectly installed and will not protect the child as intended during a crash, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
To schedule an appointment with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician call (973) 263-7163.
New Jersey’s child passenger safety law requires:Children under 8 years of age who weigh less than 80 pounds to ride properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. If there is no rear seat, the child may sit in the front seat, but s/he must be secured by a child safety seat or booster seat. (Note: A rear-facing infant seat should never be placed in a front seat with a passenger-side airbag unless the vehicle is equipped with an air bag on/off switch. For more information about child safety seats and air bags.Here’s an important reminder on the proper use of child safety seats in vehicles and the actions to take when a family has a critical reason to put a child in a front passenger seat.Many vehicles on the road today are equipped with advanced air bag systems, and many of those vehicles also have air bag suppression systems. Even in vehicles with air bag suppression systems, children should be secured in a rear seat rather than in the front seat. Crash statistics show that children are safer when properly secured in a rear seating position. Children under 8 years of age who weigh more than 80 pounds to ride properly secured in a seat belt. Passengers 8 to 18 years of age (regardless of weight) ride properly secured in a seat belt.
Lady Redhawks Softball Team Wins State Sectional Title beating Bernards;13-2
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Redhawks Girls Softball team won the Section 2 Group 2 State Championship beating Bernards High School with a score of 13-2 on Friday, May 30. This was the first time the team won this title since 1986.
Alivia Mercuro went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI’s for second-seeded Parsippany in the victory.
Luisa Barone went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two additional runs and Caludia Bennett finished 3-for-3 with two runs batted in for the victory.
Sophomore pitcher Caitlin Brennan allowed two runs, one earned, on seven hits and struck out four as the Redhawks who are 25-5 this season scored 12 runs in the fifth inning.
Parsippany will play Ramsey High School in the Section 2, Group 2, state semifinals Tuesday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m. at Ivy Hill Park, Mt. Vernon Place, Newark.
Parsippany’s 2015 Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany’s Annual Memorial Day Parade was celebrated on Monday, May 25, along North Beverwyck Road. The parade started at Katherine Drive and ended in front of the Foodtown Shopping Center. It was a perfectly beautiful day to recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans who have passed on and their families.
Parsippany Recreation Department announces summer concerts
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Recreation Department has announced it’s summer line-up of concerts to be held at Veterans Memorial Park, Route 46 and Vail Road. All concerts start at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated. Please note: Pets are NOT permitted in the park during the concerts.
Upcoming Concerts:
Thursday, July 16, 7:30 p.m. – “Rachel Allyn Band” – A new wave country, this band hosts an incredible female lead singer, a beautiful & talented female fiddle player, a pounding rhythm section, and an amazing lead guitarist. Performing the top modern country hits from Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift to Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 p.m. – “Hotel California” – For two decades, this act has faithfully and accurately reproduced the Grammy Award winning sounds of The Eagles. Each concert presents an exciting showcase of their hits such as “Take It Easy”, Heartache Tonight” and of course “Hotel California” Click here for more information.
Thursday, August 13, 7:30 p.m. – “Time Machine” – One of the most well known and most sought after bands in the tri-state area, Time Machine is comprised of top musicians and performers giving you unmatched showmanship and professionalism. With so many all-star performers, their show will be like listening to a human jukebox. Constantly changing styles and vocalist during the course of the concert will keep your audience entertained and awe struck all night long!!! Click here for more information.
Special Summertime Barbecue presented by Shop Rite of Parsippany / Sunrise Kitchens starts at 5:00 p.m.! Proceeds will be donated to the Parsippany PAL
Thursday, August 20, 7:30 p.m. – “Street Hassle” – A “Powerful Horn Band” with skilled area musicians that enjoy performing interpretations of Classic Rock, Blues, Motown and Pop. Energetic and an entertainingly enjoyable band. They also choose the right song for the moment, and don’t not fall into repetitious medleys of just number one hits. Click here for more information.
Special July 4th Concert and Fireworks at Parsippany Hills High School featuring “The Trip.” Concert is planned to start at approx 7:00 p.m. – Fireworks at dark!
Letter to the editor: This 30 year plus guy, lets say goodbye. Time to enjoy your grand kids.
Dear Editor:
I have an accurate encounter to report regarding dePierro. Before I do so, I have to ask if he provided 30 years plus of service on the council or if 30 plus years on the council has served him. Its one hell of a part-time pay check. Most government peeps retire after 25.
Moving to my point: He personally told me this story at my fire department wet down in (I believe it was 1998). He said Rosemary Agostini called officials on him. There was some type of allegation regarding his finances in his campaign. (I’m not exactly sure what.) He fixed the error. No charges were brought. But……. The allegation existed. And he resented her forever.
Now, fast forward to Mayoral races Mimi vs. Rosemary, multiple times. Republican Michael dePierro threw all his support and efforts to support a democrat Mimi Letts because he refused to support Rosemary. In his words, as I remember them, “She tried to get me locked up”. Granted, Mimi actually wasn’t bad, but….. when a senior Republican who alternated chairmanship with the great Jimmy Vigilante, how can he justify being a Republican when in fact he is more for himself than the township.
This is the problem with representative politics. On one hand you expect them to vote the way their constituency expects. But it seems on all levels, they vote in a way that supports their own needs, wants, likes and interests.
So, this 30 year plus guy, lets say goodbye. Time to enjoy your grand kids.
His counterpart Ferrara is no better. When hosting a Pasta Dinner fundraiser for a youth sports club in Parsippany at my firehouse, it is custom to put out orange cones to prevent party attendees from blocking the parking lot from firemen in the event of a fire. They come in fast and unexpected, and require the space to pull in quickly, and mount the fire trucks.
Well, I was taking a garbage bag out to the dumpster when a car pulled in between the cones and tried to park, and the driver got out. I asked him to park next door like everyone else. He responded by arguing with me, and pointing out other cars. I agreed with him, and stated I will go inside and instruct these people to move. But….. That doesn’t mean you can park there.
If a fire alarm goes off right now, these guys need a place to come screeching in. Please park next door. He stared me down, argued with me, asked me to say who I was, and hesitated for almost 5 minutes. So…. my question is, once he heard it was for firemen only for emergencies, WHAT ELSE DID HE HAVE TO SAY?? Having said that, Now you know Ferrara too. Same ticket.
I hate to follow Pat, but the election calendar is unfolding.
Carifi is change and good change. Vote his ticket. Carifi, Visakay and Beehler. Lets Stop the fighting. We are constantly making statewide newspapers. Millions spent on disputes. Legal battles. Enough!!
Keith Campbell
Please note:
The Board of Fire Commissioners, Officers and Members of District 5 Fire Department have always considered Councilman dePierro a friend of the Fire Department, in a letter to the Editor dated May 29, 2015 Mr. Keith Campbell stated his opinion which he is entitled to, it does not reflect the opinion of the Fire Department Membership of this District. Mr. Campbell is not currently on the roster of District 5’s membership.
Rev. Richard Horn, retired Fire Chaplain, receives proclamation from Mayor
PARSIPPANY — At a recent Township Council meeting Mayor James Barberio presented a special proclamation to retiring Fire Chaplain Richard Horn for his 38 years of service to Parsippany-Troy Hills. Then Donald Bragg was named as Horn’s replacement and given his badge during the ceremony.
The proclamation presented to Rev. Richard Horn from Mayor James Barberio read:
Whereas, many individuals contribute to the well-being and welfare of others by giving tirelessly of their time and energy without desire for recognition or remuneration for personal gain; and
Whereas, Reverend Richard W. Horn has announced his retirement after serving 38 years as Chaplain for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Joint Chiefs Council; and
Whereas, Reverend Horn has been a powerful influence in our community and has earned and also justly deserves public recognition for his 21 years of service as the Chaplain for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department; and
Whereas, Reverend Horn has embodied the highest quality service standards that any organization could hope for and his dedication to his follow man, the Parsippany-Troy Hills community and to all those in need is exemplified by his words, deeds and character; and
Whereas, Reverend Horn has counseled and comforted our police, fire and community members with spiritual insight, support and a very calming demeanor.
Now Therefore I, James R. Barberio, Mayor of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, do hereby extend appreciation to Reverend Richard W. Horn for his many years of faithful service and further proclaim that his outstanding service and dedication shall not be forgotten.
I-287 traffic shifts to take place this weekend in Morris County
HANOVER — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced traffic pattern shifts are scheduled to be implemented this weekend on I-287 northbound and southbound as construction advances on the roadway rehabilitation project in Morris County.
Beginning at 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 29 until 8:00 a.m. Saturday, May 30, NJDOT’s Contractor, Tilcon of New York, Inc., is scheduled to close two northbound lanes to reposition construction barrier and restripe lanes on the I-287 northbound bridge over Eden Lane in Hanover Township. A third lane may be closed later tonight to set up the new traffic pattern. At least two lanes will be maintained.
The new traffic pattern will remove the single left lane “cattle chute” within construction barriers in the northbound direction and add a fifth lane. The new traffic pattern will shift all five lanes to right of the work zone.
On Saturday, May 30, at 9:00 p.m. through Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m., Tilcon will close up to two lanes on I-287 southbound to shift all four travel lanes to the far right. At least two lanes will remain open. Crews will be setting up a work zone on the left to finish the permanent concrete barrier that divides the northbound and southbound lanes. In the event of inclement weather this weekend, the work will be rescheduled.
The $27.4 million project – which began initial construction activity in September 2012 – is designed to improve the pavement condition on a seven-mile segment of I-287 in both directions from just south of the South Street underpass in Morristown (Milepost 35.4) to the Littleton Road overpass in Parsippany (Milepost 42.2). The replacement of the bridge decks over Eden Lane in Hanover (Milepost 38.8) is included in the project as are guide rail upgrades, drainage clearing and various other incidental improvements to the highway.
NJDOT has designed the project to advance in stages to minimize impacts to motorists. All I-287 mainline travel lanes will remain open in each direction during peak-period hours throughout construction, while single and double-lane closures will be allowed during overnight and off-peak hours. The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2015.
Portable variable message signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.
Register now for Parsippany Youth (Flag) Rugby
PARSIPPANY — Children entering kindergarten to ninth 9th grade can learn one of the fastest growing sports in the USA, Rugby. Rugby will be featured in the next Olympic Games. Rugby is a great sport to learn teamwork and to get and stay fit. The rugby program runs for six short weeks in early summer.
Please consider joining by registering by clicking here.
Kaitlyn Partington Named to Dean’s List at Lebanon Valley College
PARSIPPANY — Kaitlyn Partington of Mount Tabor, joined more than 600 Lebanon Valley College students named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester. Dean’s list students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.4 out of 4.0.
Partington, a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in business administration.
Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., welcomes 1,573 full-time undergraduates studying more than 30 challenging and sophisticated majors, as well as customized self-designed majors.
Founded in 1866, LVC has graduate programs in athletic training, physical therapy, business, music education, and science education. Learn more at www.lvc.edu.
Annville is 15 minutes east of Hershey and 35 minutes east of Harrisburg; Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are within two hours.
Janet Zorsky retires and moves to Delaware
PARSIPPANY — Janet Zorsky, retired on Wednesday, May 27, from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Clerk’s Office. Janet has been with the Township for a little over eight years. She worked in the Mayor’s office for a short time, then joined the Clerk’s Office as a Clerk Typist.
“It’s been a pleasure working with Janet. I wish her enjoyment of many happy and healthy years of retirement,” said Township Clerk Yancy Wazirmas.
Janet was always a very helpful, pleasant person who will be dearly missed. I wish her the very best with her retirement, said Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.
Council Vice President Robert Peluso said “It was a great opportunity to work with Janet who is a professional that truly cares about our community. Although we are loosing a great colleague, I wish her the best in her retirement.”
Councilman Dr. Louis Valori stated “Janet was an asset in the clerks office and will be truly missed. I wish her the very best in her retirement with her family.”
“Janet has always been pleasant, professional, and cooperative whenever I reached out to her. She shall be missed. I wish for her good health and happiness in her retirement,” said Michael J. dePierro
Parsippany Focus Publisher Frank Cahill said, “Janet was always very helpful, and pleasant to work with. Every visit to the Clerk’s Office, I felt welcomed and Janet was always there to greet me and made sure that all my needs were taken care of. I will truly miss Janet. I wish her the best on her retirement and will surely miss her.”
Janet has moved to Delaware and will enjoy her retirement with her husband.
Breaking news: Parsippany Police Officer Commits Suicide
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has learned from confirmed sources that a Parsippany Police Officer committed suicide this evening near Entin Drive and Sylvan Way.
Out of respect of the family and the Parsippany Police Department additional details will not be published until a press release is issued from the Parsippany Police Department.
Police Continue Investigation Into The 2011 Murder Of Kenvil Diner Owner
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, May 28, 2011, in the middle of Memorial Day Weekend, Chafic “Steve” Ezzeddine was found murdered inside of his place of business, the Kenvil Diner, located on Route 46 in the Kenvil section of Roxbury Township, New Jersey.
In the past four years since the murder of Steve Ezzeddine, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Roxbury Township Police Department have continued to actively investigate this crime and search for the identity of the person(s) involved.
In additional to the crime itself, it is also important to recall the story that exists behind the innocent life that was taken that day in 2011.
Steve was a simple, hard-working family man, and a family patriarch, who left a rich and fulfilling life in Lebanon over 40 years ago, to come to the United States to be with the woman he loved – his wife, Amal. One of six children, Steve completed university in Lebanon and was enjoying the beginnings of a promising career with Middle East Airlines when he met Amal in 1970. Due to religious differences, Amal and Steve’s relationship was forbidden by society and frowned upon by their family and friends. As they secretly continued their relationship, Steve made a courageous decision to move to the United States in hopes of someday being able to marry the woman he loved. Before leaving, he told Amal that someday he would send for her to come join him in the United States.
Steve departed Lebanon in 1971, leaving behind his family, friends, and successful job to start a life in America. He located to New Jersey, where he worked at a diner and enrolled in a Master’s program to continue to build on his education. After more than a year of long days, hard work, and weekly letters to Amal, Steve finally sent for her to join him in the United States. Although the decision was not supported by family, Amal left Lebanon in 1972.
In the beginning, the two struggled, living in a motel room as Steve continued long days of work and school. Amal, not having many friends or family in New Jersey, and not knowing the English language, spent much of her time isolated in the motel room. Despite this hardship, the two married in October 1972. There began a union marked by the struggle to not only earn a living, but to also assimilate into a new society, start a family, make new friends, and ultimately become productive members of the community they came to call home. They dealt with the scrutiny of the family they left behind in Lebanon, knowing that their decision to leave their country to be together was brave, but not accepted. At the time, they knew in their hearts and minds that this was the only way they could be together.
Steve and Amal started a family, eventually having three (3) sons. In 1983, after many years of hard work, the couple purchased the business that became the Kenvil Diner. For years, Steve worked tirelessly at the diner to provide for his family, consistently working 16 hour days, 7 days a week, up until the day of his murder. Amal was there throughout it all, working countless hours in the diner alongside the love of her life. Together they raised three (3) hard working, successful young men, who struggle daily with the loss of their father. It is through his memory and inspiration that they strive to live as honorable a life as he did.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Roxbury Township Police Department continue to pursue leads in this investigation and have worked with numerous other law enforcement agencies during the course of this investigation, to include the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, New Jersey State Police, New York City Police Department, New York City Medical Examiner’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secret Service.
The Ezzeddine family has raised the reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone responsible for the murder of their patriarch. Coupled with the Morris County CrimeStoppers reward money, the total reward is now $25,000. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is not involved in any aspect of the reward being offered.
A website has been developed by the Ezzeddine family (www.kenvildiner.com) as a tribute to their loved one.
Law enforcement asks that anyone with information in regards to this investigation please contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200 or www.morrisprosecutor.org, the Roxbury Police Department at (973) 448-2090, or Crimestoppers at 973-COP-CALL, www.morriscrimestoppers.org.
Persons reporting information may remain anonymous.
Patsy Cline has come to Parsippany
PARSIPPANY — In the coming weekends, the Women’s Theater Company at the Parsippany Playhouse presents “Always Patsy Cline.” Starring Patricia Durante as Cline and Barbara Babbitt as Cline’s most avid fan Louise, the play unveils the true story of the celebrity and fan who become deep friends. Their story progresses through the narration of Louise and the music of Patsy.
Durante is the absolute embodiment of Cline, a shy and talented rising country star. An extraordinary performer, Durante brings the songs to life with pitch-perfect perfection and much heart. With each song, you can feel the joy and the heartache of Cline’s life.
As fan Louise, Babbitt engages the audience as she relates her journey with Patsy Cline. Long before meeting Cline, Louise falls in love with the music. Cline’s voice on the Arthur Godfrey show draws Louise out of her kitchen and to the television. It was love at first hearing. When Louise learns that Cline will be appearing in Houston, Louise makes sure she has a place in the honky-tonk. This leads to a chance meeting that further leads to a lasting friendship.
Babbitt’s enthusiasm is infectious, and the audience becomes as excited as she is to know Cline. As Louise, Babbitt brings a down-home humanity to her character which brings a delicate balance to an over-the-top fan and true friend.
In her directorial debut, Grayce Coviello has staged a vibrant production. Even in the midst of poignant moments, Coviello has a touch of humor and lightness. For those who know the story of Patsy Cline, it might have been easier to play to emotion. Coviello takes a subtler, more satisfying approach that brings a wonderful texture to the characters.
Throughout “Always Patsy Cline,” a talented trio of musicians acts as the singer’s stage band while brilliantly punctuating the narrative. Under the tutelage of Regan Ryzuk, the band plays in character to complete the setting’s nostalgic look of 1950s and 1960s Texas.
“Always Patsy Cline” is a lively, touching and uplifting production. A must see!
The show runs May 29, 30, 31 and June 5, 6 and 7.
The Women’s Theater Company is located at the Parsippany Playhouse, 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha. For GPS driving directions, please enter the town of Boonton, 07005.
To purchase tickets online click here or call (973) 316-3033.
