PARSIPPANY — Republican legislators who represent District 26 helped further the Democrats’ agenda when they supported legislation that allows liberals to use school children to wage their war against conservative media and the free expression of ideas, says BettyLou DeCroce, who is a candidate for the General Assembly for the district covering easter Morris and western Passaic Counties.

DeCroce, who spent nine years in the Assembly until 2021, said Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-26) voted for a school curriculum bill that will likely steer children away from media outlets that do not preach the liberal orthodoxy.

DeCroce also said that Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-26) abstained from voting on the bill, which DeCroce said is “a politician’s way of not taking a stand when taking a stand is called for.”

The legislation (A4169) – dubbed the “Information Literacy” bill- requires the Department of Education to create media and information literacy guidelines for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Gov. Phil Murphy has already signed the bill into law.

DeCroce said she would not have voted for the bill. “I do not trust the Democrats with creating new curriculum standards for our children. Their recent history is not good,” said DeCroce, pointing to the controversial sex education standards pushed by the Democrats last year.

“You would think that by now Republicans, especially those who call themselves conservatives, would avoid putting school curriculum changes in the hands of the Democrats and the DOE,” added DeCroce.

DeCroce said the real intent of the media literacy legislation is to censor information from media sources that don’t adopt the liberal point of view on cultural and government policy issues.

“Assemblyman Bergen and Webber should know how much the Democrats hate Fox News, hate the NY Post, hate conservative online websites and radio hosts. They should have known that the media curriculum will smear anything from these sources as disinformation and steer students to liberal media,” said DeCroce.

The former assemblywoman said the legislation will foster biased curriculum teachings that many parents disagree with, as was done with the sex education curriculum. “Parents who watch Fox news or listen to conservative radio will be criticized by their children for embracing disinformation.,” said DeCroce.

COVID CENSORSHIP
DeCroce pointed to how quickly and viciously the Democrats attacked President Trump and others who suggested that the Covid-19 virus emanated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

Over the past few days, it has been revealed that the U.S. Department of Energy has joined the FBI in concluding that the deadly global virus originated in a Chinese virology lab. Since the virus began killing people in the United States, liberal media and officials censured any views on Covid-19 that were not part of the liberal orthodoxy on the virus’s origins or the best methods to control it.

“We cannot allow liberals to control what we read and hear across the media spectrum,” said DeCroce. “It is apparent that the message did not get through to Assemblymen Bergen and Webber. There is no excuse for them giving the government more control over what our children learn in the classroom.”

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Rotary collaborated with community leaders to work on projects that have a real, lasting impact on people’s lives.

Parsippany Rotary International’s “Annual Winter Coat Program” was a mega success due to the generous donors. The outpouring of donations from various families, businesses, Rotary’s partnered organizations Gandhian Society, TFASNJ, NRIVA, Vasavi Society, OM Sri Sai Balaji Temple, and individuals enabled to provide 1,000 new blankets and 100 winter coats to homeless adults and supporting five different organizations of Morris County: Table of Hope, HopeOne, Jersey Battered Women’s Service, Saint Ann’s Church, and Saint Peters Church.

This program is made possible because of the great teamwork and thorough planning and organizational efforts of all individuals from Parsippany Rotary International, Gandhian Society, TFASNJ, NRIVA, Vasavi Society, and OM Sri Sai Balaji Temple.

A special thank-you goes to Parsippany Mayor James R. Barberio for allowing the group to use Town Hall for the Winter Coats event on Sunday, February 26.

Sincere gratitude goes to Parsippany Rotary, Gandhian Society, TFASNJ, NRIVA, Vasavi Society, and OM Sri Sai Balaji Temple for Winter Coats, Blankets, and accessories for collecting, organizing, and transporting coats between locations.

The project was a huge effort collectively by all volunteers who donated their time and energy. Teams helped to shop, transported the coats, and spent many hours organizing the coats and event preparations.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Council President Loretta Gragnani, Vice President Michael dePierro, Councilmen Paul Carifi, and Frank Neglia attended the Winter Coats and Blankets event.  Rotary International of Parsippany President Santosh Peddi, Directors Chandra Mulinti, Ann Grossi, Dr. Ravi Maddali, Nikhil Patel, BettyLou DeCroce, Anil Pulligala, and Ylka Padilla.

Gandhian Society Senior Directors, Rajendar Dichpally. NJTFAS: Madhu Rachakulla, General Secretary, Ravi Annadanam, IT Chair, Naga Mahendar Velishala, NRIVA Board member and Chapter lead: Ravi Peddi, Gangadhar Vuppala, Committee leaders Raj Kothamasu. Vasavi Society, President Subba Rao Sannidhi Om Sri Sai Balaji Temple Founder Surya Narayana Maddual, and Temple CEO TP Srinivas Rao were a great addition to the Winter Project this year. Special acknowledgment to Krypton Warriors Robotics Team NJ-State Champions for helping and donating to the project.

The members continue on Rotary’s mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Rotary International of Parsippany members looks for opportunities to improve our community and invest in the next generation for tomorrow.

PARSIPPANY — New Jersey’s corporate tax surcharge was a bad idea when it was implemented – it’s a bad idea now and it should be eliminated, says former Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce who is campaigning to return to the statehouse in a newly redrawn legislative district that spans Morris and Passaic Counties.

DeCroce, a Republican, said that the liberals think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective is campaigning to maintain the tax surcharge, which dings business for $664 million a year. “One thing I learned about liberal activists while I was in Trenton is that they want more taxes and they want every tax to be permanent and never disappear. That’s bad policy,” said DeCroce.

DeCroce said New Jersey’s economy suffers from a worst-in-the-nation business climate rating by the Tax Foundation and other economic evaluators.  “Anything that the state can do to improve its tax structure and demonstrate to the business community that the state is not anti-business is a desperately needed step in the right direction toward greater economic growth,” said DeCroce, a  small business owner.

In 2018, state lawmakers amended the corporate tax code by adding a 2.5 percent surcharge on profits over $1 million. The state’s top corporate tax rate was 9% for net income over $100,000 but the 2018 surcharge pushed the tax to 11.5% — among the highest in the nation.

“I opposed the tax surcharge in 2018 and I will continue to oppose more taxes on the job creators who are already in New Jersey or want to come to New Jersey,” said DeCroce.

The new District 26 includes the following municipalities: Morris  County: Boonton Denville, East Hanover, Hanover, Florham Park, Lincoln Park, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Morris Plains, Parsippany, Pequannock, and Riverdale. In Passaic County: Bloomingdale, Pompton Lakes, Ringwood, & Wanaque.

PARSIPPANY — The Sons of Italy is a vibrant and strong service organization in Morris County. At the Lodges, February monthly meeting on February 22 eight new members were sworn in, with several more on tap for a future meeting.

With approximately 50 members attending the Knoll West Country Club to witness, welcome, and applaud the new members as they were officially sworn into the Lodge, it was the highlight of the evening’s agenda. Also discussed were several other initiatives and fundraising events planned throughout 2023.

The newest members of the Lodge include Harry Mangiro, David Patracuolla, Russ Quartararo, Nick Grossi, Anthony Spina, Rich Guglielmo, Vincent Schindel, and Alex Yandoli.

Morris County’s Lodge, one of 29 Lodges in N.J., is a non-profit organization that proudly contributes thousands of dollars to worthwhile local charities and families in need. Among the causes that Lodge 2561 supports are The Parsippany Food Pantry, St. Peter’s Church, St. Ann’s Church, Battered Woman’s Shelter of Morris County, High School Scholarships, The Valerie Fund, Parsippany Day Care Center, Cooley’s Anemia, and St. Jude’s, among others. The Lodge regularly purchases and dispenses gift cards from locations such as ShopRite and Walmart to assist needy families. The group, with some great Italian Chefs, is also known to generously prepare several delicious Italian-style dinners each year to assist local causes.

Lodge 2561 currently boasts approximately 100 community-minded members and meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at a local restaurant, where lodge business and upcoming charitable endeavors and community needs are addressed.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners is reaffirming Morris County’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine at a memorial service tonight at Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the sovereign nation.

Commissioner Director John Krickus will present a framed proclamation cementing Morris County’s commitment to the Ukrainian people and denouncing Vladimir Putin’s ruthless assault on Ukraine. Over the past 12 months, the larger Morris County community has embraced the Ukrainian cause and delivered aid to the European nation.

“Let me announce Morris County’s donation of 100 radios to Ukraine for the first time last summer. We did not announce it then out of caution for those receiving the equipment. Morris County has also provided 100 protective vests and helmets from the Sheriff and Prosecutor’s Office, with additional donations from local police departments and surplus medical supplies from Morris County. I want to thank everyone in Morris County government who facilitated these donations,” remarked Director Krickus leading up to the event.

Director Krickus will offer some remarks on behalf of the board at the memorial, acknowledging and thanking the Morris County community for coming together to support Ukraine, a nation in turmoil. Supplies and aid from Morris County and its residents have been delivered through the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (UACCNJ), located on the same grounds as Saint John Church at 60 North Jefferson Road.

The UACCNJ estimates that the aid moved through its center amounted to 18 shipping containers valued at over $4 million.

“The support we have received from Morris County and the Commissioners is overwhelming. People have opened their hearts and souls to our community and our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, which means the world to us. Evil will not prevail. We need continued prayers and support,” stated UACCNJ Board Member Michael Halibej, the Cultural Center’s Social Club manager.

Morris County, with an estimated 12,000 residents of Ukrainian descent, has maintained a unique kinship with Ukraine dating back more than a century when immigrants first arrived in the Whippany and Malapardis sections of Hanover Township in 1908.

They found hope for a new life and employment in the many mills that once drove the regional economy. In Whippany, Ukrainian immigrants built the original Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church on a corner of what is now Route 10 and Jefferson Road, establishing a community that continues to significantly contribute to our wonderful way of life in Morris County and throughout the United States.

“As a veteran, I served, as millions of others did, to protect our democracy, and now Ukraine’s people and armed forces fight for these same values.  Their fight is our fight, and when you are fighting for freedom, you fight harder,” stated Director Krickus.

With this awful war entering its second year, inflicting irreversible damage on a nation and its people that will have lasting impacts on generations to come, the memorial will include prayers that the carnage will all end soon for our sisters and brothers in Ukraine.

Anyone interested in donating funds, goods, or medical supplies should contact Myron Bytz, a community leader with the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, by clicking here. He can also be reached by phone at (973) 585-7175 or by email: uaccnj@gmail.com.

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Lions Club is affiliated with Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization with 1.4 million members in 50,000 clubs across 200 countries.

The club is hosting its first-ever Spring Food Festival on Saturday, March 25, at the Central Middle School, 1620 Route 46, from 12.00 Noon to 3.00 p.m. The Honorable Mayor James Barberio and the Chiefs of Parsippany First Responders will inaugurate the festival.

The event has been organized as a fundraiser for the brave men and women who serve as First Responders – EMS, Firefighters, and Police.

“We are thrilled to bring the community together for this exciting food fest and to support our First Responders,” said Pratap Jayakar, President of the Parsippany Lions Club. “We hope to see everyone there, having a great time while making a difference in the lives of those who serve our community.”

The Parsippany Lions Club invites everyone to attend to show their love and support for our real-life heroes. This event promises a wonderful afternoon full of mouth-watering delicacies, exciting games, and fun activities while garnering support for a worthy cause. Making this event a success will motivate the volunteers to organize other programs for causes, including Childhood Cancer, Diabetes, Vision, and much more.

For more information on Parsippany Lions Club, click here. The Parsippany Lions Club is a local group of service-minded men and women doing local volunteer work to support your community.

PARSIPPANY — A Sunday afternoon stroll through Troy-Hills Shopping Center caused a multi-vehicle accident and sent one driver to Morristown Medical Center.

The incident on Sunday, February 19, at approximately 12:30 p.m., occurred when Ms. Gwendolyn Jackson, 75, East Orange, was jetting through the Troy Hills Shopping Center, improperly crossing through parking stalls. She struck a vehicle parked (owned by Mr. Michael Iradi) and then struck a vehicle driven by Mr. Lubos Vencalek, 58, from Verona, head-on.

Ms. Jackson was transported to Morristown Medical Center by Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance, while Mr. Vencalek was treated at the scene by Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Eagle Towing. The third vehicle sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

A witness at the scene stated Ms. Jackson was traveling at a high rate of speed through the parking lot, striking both vehicles.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Officer Paul Christal was the investigating officer.

At the time of this article, there was no summons issued.

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Regular Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 21.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2023 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

Mayor James R Barberio
Council President Loretta Gragnani
Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella

PARSIPPANY — BettyLou DeCroce said she will oppose any legislation the Governor puts forth on his revised clean energy plan that he introduced Thursday, calling the plan a “fantasy.”

DeCroce, who served nine years in the assembly and is running this year to return to the state legislature, said the Governor’s Clean Energy II edict will saddle businesses and homeowners with enormous costs while providing little environmental benefit. The Governor said he will need legislation to enact some of the dictates of his plan.

“The governor’s Green Energy II plan is a “no energy plan,” said DeCroce. “It is the stuff that liberal dreams are made of. New Jersey needs a realistic energy plan – not one that the left is trying to push down the throats of hard-working people.”

DeCroce said if she returns to the Assembly, she will oppose most, if not all, of the governor’s proposed legislation that sets arbitrary goals, such as outlawing gasoline-powered cars by 2035 and forcing the retrofitting of heating and cooling systems for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.

“My job as a legislator is to do what is best for the people in District 26, not to help the governor polish his liberal credentials so he can run for president in 2024,” said DeCroce.

DeCroce said the governor’s “fantasy energy plan” has no cost projections. “What is the governor’s blueprint going cost residents? The governor isn’t saying. Where’s the BPU (Board of Public Utilities)? Where is their estimate of the financial burden the plan will force on homeowners, business owners, and car owners?” asked DeCroce. “The Governor is asking for a blind emotional buy-in to his plan. Where are the costs estimates; what is the real environmental benefit, and what are the risks associated with this plan?”

“I care about climate change as much as anyone. I want my grandchildren to inherit a healthy environment. But I also want them to live in a state with reliable, full-time energy for a reasonable cost. I want them to have heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. I want them to have transportation that works when they need it. The Governor’s plan will not provide them with any of those things,” added DeCroce.

PARSIPPANY — St. Gregory’s will hold an Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, February 22, at Noon and 7:00 p.m.

The noon service will be about a half hour, and the evening service will be full of hymns.

St Gregory’s Episcopal Church is located at 480 South Beverwyck Road.

Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent. Catholics observe it in the Roman Rite, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, Methodists, and Nazarenes, as well as by some churches in the Reformed tradition.

Lent will be observed from February 22 to April 8 this year. It is a period of religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar, marking the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert, enduring temptation by Satan.