PARSIPPANY — A petition to reverse the heavy-handed and expensive blanket Project Labor Agreements (PLA) started circulating throughout Parsippany. In the petition, residents are demanding Parsippany officials who supported the PLA to make more sensible decisions around the use of public funds to benefit Parsippany residents, and not to cave into out-of-town, political interest groups.

On October 18, the Parsippany Township Council voted 4-1 to mandate blanket project labor agreements for all township capital projects over $5 million. Under this approved PLA sanction, taxpayers will be paying 25-37% more for major township development projects during this time of severe inflation and potential recession the township and country are experiencing. The cost overrun estimates are based on the increased project costs in towns that have already adopted PLA mandates, such as Toms River and Montclair. (Click here to read a related article)

The PLA means that municipal public-works projects costing at least $5 million must have a pre-established collective bargaining agreement. This gives certain unionized workforces advantages in obtaining contracts for these projects.

Supporters have said the agreement helps guarantee skilled labor and eliminates delays that can arise from labor conflicts or worker shortages. But critics, including Musella and many residents, say such arrangements will drive up costs for the township trying to work its way out of budgetary woes.

The Petition’s goal is to convey to the Councilpersons who supported the PLA that this culture of overburdening taxpayers with pricey mandates is causing community members financial harm while driving other residents out of town to less expensive areas.

Musella wants to obtain 1,000 signatures before making a case to the council and Mayor James Barberio to reverse course on the project labor agreement ordinance. At the time this article was written, almost 24 hours after the petition was started there were over 300 signatures.

At the council meeting on Tuesday, November 22, Mayor James Barberio responded “I got the letter today with regards to the PLA, the repeal of the PLA. There’s a lot of misinformation that the councilman is spreading out there with regard to the PLA and the residents don’t know all the facts. I don’t want the residents of Parsippany to be misinformed. There is an organization called the ABC, Associated Buildings and Construction and their propaganda keep going out. I haven’t seen one member of them come here to ask the council any questions whatsoever. None whatsoever. So maybe they’re using the Councilman as a piece to do that. Don’t know.”

Parsippany Focus emailed each council member and Mayor Barberio on Tuesday for written comment, but there was no response from the four council members who voted for the PLA, nor the Mayor.

Residents can simply click here to sign the petition.

PARSIPPANY — Sewa Diwali conducted a massive food drive and donated over 3,200 pounds of non-perishable food to the Parsippany Food Pantry on Monday, November 21.

The groups collected another 2,600 pounds which were donated to Interfaith Food Pantry at the Morris Plains location.

Participating Organizations included HSS – Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindu Service Society), Sewa International, BAPS, ISKCON, VrajDham, Sanatan Mandir, I Love Sai, and Chhapaiya Dham Temple.

“Sewa Diwali”  is a nationwide food drive for the fight against hunger>

#Sewa Diwali initiative is organized by a collection of Indian American organizations and individuals rooted in Hindu values. It’s an effort by organizations and people who believe in the – “Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity.” Society’s well-being is a responsibility that we all share, and its fruits are only as nourishing as the care we put into it.

The organization has successfully organized the Sewa Diwali food drive across 32 states in 200+ townships, with the involvement of 300+ organizations. Many of the volunteers are from different organizations consisting of school students, working professionals, and entrepreneurs from all walks of life who made this happen.

Started during 2018 in Parsippany, with the simple idea of Selfless Service, i.e., giving back to Society during the festival of Diwali (Festival of Lights). During October and November, local township residents generously donated canned non-perishable foods to help needy families during Thanksgiving time.

Click here for more updates.

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is participating in Covenant House’s “Sleep Out” on Friday, November 25.

This year, 4.2 million kids will be homeless in America. Fight these numbers by joining our Sleep Out today: you’ll raise lifesaving funds to give kids safe shelter and opportunity, and unite your community against youth homelessness.

Kiwanis Club’s Sleep Out will be held at Parsippany United Methodist Church, 903 South Beverwyck Road. There will be a program by Covenant House starting at 10:00 p.m.

The NJ Kiwanis District will advocate raising awareness of youth homeless as an issue throughout New Jersey in the 2022-2023 Kiwanis Service year.

The Sleep Out helps ensure that youth facing homelessness can sleep safely and dream big at Covenant House.

Covenant House is more than just a shelter. Young people are welcomed with unconditional love and provided warm meals, education opportunities, job training, medical care, mental health and substance use counseling, and legal aid — essential services designed to help them build independent futures.

Sleep Out is not about pretending to be homeless. We Sleep Out to show our solidarity with those who are — and to let the world know about the ever-growing population of young people who face homelessness.

Covenant House invites you to join the fight to achieve a world where every young person has access to safe housing, support, healing, and opportunity.

Youth Homelessness Awareness Month is a time to turn the world’s attention toward youth homelessness. Throughout the month of November, communities come together to Sleep Out and amplify a shared message: it’s time to end youth homelessness.

There’s more to Sleep Out than a night without a bed. Sleep Out raises critical funds to help Covenant House provide 24/7 shelter, sanctuary, and support to youth overcoming homelessness. And the experience includes opportunities to learn from experts, hear inspiring stories, and advocate for a future where everyone has a safe place to sleep.

LGBTQ+ youth comprise 40% of all youth experiencing homelessness, while only making up 7% of the total youth population in the U.S.? While facing homelessness, LGBTQ+ youth are also more likely to experience hardships such as assault, trauma, exchanging sex for basic needs, and early death. Covenant House provides a welcoming and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ and all youth.

You can sign up to join Covenant House’s Sleep Out on Friday, November 25 by clicking here.

To donate to T.E.A.M. Grace, click here. All money goes directly to Covenant House.