Parsippany Township Council Candidates Night

PARSIPPANY — Puddingstone Heights Community hosted a candidates night on Tuesday, October 27.

All six candidates running for position on the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council attended the question and answer session hosted by Mr. Phil Eden and Mr. Tom Williams.

The democratic ticket consists of Janice McCarthy, Nick Kumburis and Greg Elbin. On the Republican ticket are Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., Councilman Michael J. dePierro and new comer Loretta Gragnani.  The three will vie for three seats starting on January 1, 2016.  Councilman Brian Stanton is not running for re-election, but Council President Paul Carfi, Jr., and Councilman Michael dePierro is running for re-election.

Editors Note: Due to technical difficulities, the last portion of the video did not produce.

Photos by JoAnn Rich.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you are not sure where to vote, you can click here, or you can call Morris County Board of Elections at (973) 285-8350.

Parsippany Focus will be publishing live updates of the results on Election night, starting at 8:00 p.m.

Where to vote in Parsippany:

Ward District Location
00 01 Public Safety Training Academy
500 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Plains
Classroom 141
GPS: 40.835486, -74.519031
00 02 Fire House – Powder Mill
60 South Powder Mill Road
Squad Room
GPS: 40.857957, -74.490975
00 03 Intervale School
60 Pitt Road
Gym
GPS: 40.8816981, -74.4225234
00 04 Craftsman Farm Education Building
2352 Route 10
Meeting Room
GPS: 40.909169, -74.428057
00 05 Mt. Tabor Fire House – Simpson
30 Simpson Avenue, Mt. Tabor
Engine Room
GPS: 40.871525, -74.421959
00 06 Littleton School
51 Brooklawn Drive, Morris Plains
Gym
GPS: 40.8551618, -74.4520948
00 07 St. Christopher’s School
1050 Littleton Road
All Purpose Room
GPS: 40.861854, -74.452193
00 08 Intervale School
60 Pitt Road
Gym
GPS: 40.8816981, -74.4225234
00 09 Littleton School
51 Brooklawn Drive, Morris Plains
Gym
GPS: 40.8551618, -74.4520948
00 10 Lake Parsippany Fire House
255 Halsey Rd-Rear Entrance
Meeting Room
GPS: 40.852891, -74.445408
00 11 Brooklawn School
250 Beachwood Road
Girls Aux Gym Room
GPS: 40.8586795, -74.4496543
00 12 Lake Parsippany Fire House
255 Halsey Rd-Rear Entrance
Meeting Room
GPS: 40.852891, -74.445408
00 13 Brooklawn School
250 Beachwood Road
Girls Aux Gym Room
GPS: 40.8586795, -74.4496543
00 14 Parsippany Police Department
3339 Route 46 East
Community Meeting Room
GPS: 40.8728673, -74.4300191
00 15 Board of Education Building
292 Parsippany Road
Meeting Room
GPS: 40.856007, -74.426213
00 16 Board of Education Building
292 Parsippany Road
Meeting Room
GPS: 40.856007, -74.426213
00 17 Eastlake School
40 Eba Road
Gym
GPS: 40.8634539, -74.4300744
00 18 Intervale School
60 Pitt Road
Gym
GPS: 40.8816981, -74.4225234
00 19 Parsippany Police Department
3339 Route 46 East
Community Meeting Room
GPS: 40.8728673, -74.4300191
00 20 St. Ann’s Church
781 Smith Road
Hospitality Room
GPS: 40.8478867, -74.4070399
00 21 Northvail School
10 Eileen Court
Gym
GPS: 40.8716925, -74.3985828
00 22 Central Middle School
1620 Route 46 West
Old Gym
GPS: 40.8644141, -74.4021748
00 23 Central Middle School
1620 Route 46 West
Old Gym
GPS: 40.8644141, -74.4021748
00 24 Troy Hills School
509 S. Beverwyck Road
Gym
GPS: 40.851136, -74.3936021
00 25 Rockaway Meadow School
160 Edwards Road
Gym
GPS: 40.86682, -74.369877
00 26 Rockaway Neck Fire House
180 Old Bloomfield Avenue
Meeting Room
GPS: 40.860174, -74.353704
00 27 Troy Hills School
509 S. Beverwyck Road
Gym
GPS: 40.851136, -74.3936021
00 28 Northvail School
10 Eileen Court
Gym
GPS: 40.8716925, -74.3985828
00 29 Knollwood School
445 Knoll Drive, Lake Hiawatha
Gym
GPS: 40.887046, -74.3958604
00 30 Lake Hiawatha School
1 Lincoln Avenue, Lake Hiawatha
Gym
GPS: 40.8761403, -74.3859649
00 31 Lake Hiawatha School
1 Lincoln Avenue, Lake Hiawatha
Gym
GPS: 40.8761403, -74.3859649
00 32 Community Center
1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha
Meeting Room B
GPS: 40.8791694, -74.3947915
00 33 Lake Hiawatha Library
68 Nokomis Avenue, Lake Hiawatha
Lower Level Meeting Room
GPS: 40.881804, -74.381025
00 34 Lake Hiawatha Library
68 Nokomis Avenue, Lake Hiawatha
Lower Level Meeting Room
GPS: 40.881804, -74.381025
00 35 Rockaway Meadow School
160 Edwards Road
Gym
GPS: 40.86682, -74.369877
00 36 Rockaway Meadow School
160 Edwards Road
Gym
GPS: 40.86682, -74.369877
00 37 St. Christopher’s School
1050 Littleton Road
All Purpose Room
GPS: 40.861854, -74.452193
00 38 Lake Hiawatha School
1 Lincoln Avenue, Lake Hiawatha
Gym
GPS: 40.8761403, -74.3859649
00 39 Craftsman Farm Education Building
2352 Route 10
Meeting Room
GPS: 40.909169, -74.428057

 

Update: PHHS Bomb Threat deemed false

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Deparment reported at approximately 9:30 there was an incident at Parsippany Hills High School.

After an investigation by the Parsippany Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office the threat was deemed false. All students are now returning to their classes.

PHHS Evacuated; Officers on scene securing the area

PARSIPPANY — There is a situation being investigated at the Parsippany Hills High School.
Students are being safely as a safety precaution. Officers are on scene and securing the area.

Please refrain from going to the school at this time.

This is to prevent traffic/safety issues as we investigate the incident.

Parsipany Volunteer Ambluance Squad and Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District 2 have been dispatched to the scene.

When more information is available Parsippany Focus will update story.

Parsippany resident named branch manger of Provident Bank

Ricardo Agostinho
Ricardo Agostinho

PARSIPPANY — The Provident Bank has named Ricardo Agostinho, Parsippany, banking center manager of its Morris Township branch located at 166 Ridgedale Avenue.

In this position, Agostinho will lead and manage a team of sales and service professionals, as well as oversee daily branch operations.

“Agostinho has the skills and experiences needed to effectively lead the team in Morris Township,” said Lucio Valerio, Area Manager, Provident Bank. “We are confident in Ricardo and excited to have him join us.”

Prior to joining Provident Bank, Agostinho worked at PNC Bank for 14 years in numerous positions spanning from sales to management. He also participated on a nationwide merger and acquisition team while at PNC.

Agostinho holds a business degree from Kean University. In addition, he is also a trained personal and business lender and held a Series 62 and Series 63 license prior to working in banking.

Provident Bank also has a branch located at 401 Smith Road, Parsippany

Man Arrested for Possession of Weapons Charges in Morristown Pleads Guilty

MORRISTOWN — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Andrew Pfitzenmayer, 27, Peapack reached a plea agreement with the State.

Pfitzenmayer was arrested on July 29 at approximately 10:00 a.m., when the Morristown Police Department responded to the Headquarter’s Plaza building, located at 19 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, regarding a male acting suspiciously.  Pfitzenmayer was placed under arrest on scene for possession of weapons charges.

Pfitzenmayer pled guilty today before the Honorable Salem V. Ahto, J.S.C. to one count of second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, the State has agreed to recommend at the time of sentencing that Pfitzenmayer receive 3 years in New Jersey State Prison, with a one year period of parole ineligibility. In order to make this sentence recommendation, the State must make an application to the Honorable Stuart A. Minkowitz, A.J.S.C., the vicinage Assignment Judge.

The Court also received a copy of the psychiatric evaluation that was previously ordered by the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J. Cr. Pursuant to the previous court order, this was filed under seal and will not be available to the general public.

The sentencing for Pfitzenmayer is scheduled for December 3 before the Honorable Salem V. Ahto, J.S.C.

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Pfitzenmayer, through his attorney Frank Pisano, Esq., agreed that all previous bail conditions will remain in place until the time of sentencing. These conditions include not returning to the Headquarters Plaza in Morristown or having any contact with its tenants.

 

           

David J. Woelk passed away; Services on Wednesday

PARSIPPANY — David J. Woelk, 35, passed away on Friday, October 23 at Saint Clare’s Hospital, Denville.

David was born in Boonton and lived in Lake Hiawatha all his life.

He worked for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills as a Sanitation Engineer.

Survivors include his wife, Deanna E. (nee-Lawrence); his daughter, Morgan Taylor; his father, Frank H.; his mother, Margaret “Marge” (nee-Rippey) and his brother, Michael.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28 at the funeral home. Cremation is private. Visiting hours are on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Par-Troy Funeral Home, 292 Parsippany Road.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in his memory to his daughter, Morgan’s Education Fund. Complete address will be available at the funeral home.

Urgent Help: These dogs are scheduled to die on Wednesday

MORRIS COUNTY — They all die tomorrow. Kaden, Shadow, Lee, Spencer, Cooper, Turner and Lennie are scheduled to die on Wednesday. Eleventh Hour Rescue wants to help but they have no space. They are begging for short term fosters for just a week or two so they can be saved.

They will be totally vetted and they are good with other dogs. Some of these are just babies. They would come Saturday, October 31 if Eleventh Hour Rescue can save any of them.

You can save their life by fostering or adopting. They are desperate and their lives are at stake.

Eleventh Hour Rescue is being told that the shelter has two chihuahuas and a boxer that are also in danger.

Pictured are only two of the dogs. There are many more. Please save a life.

Please click here and fill our an application today or call (973) 927-1123 (from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) or after 3:00 p.m. call (973) 664-0865.

Eleventh Hour Rescue is located at 861 Route 10, Randolph.

11thhour2

Eleventh Hour Rescue is a volunteer based, non profit, 501c3 organization that literally saves dogs and cats from death row.
Editors Note: These dogs are not at the Parsippany Animal Shelter.
 

Bridge players needed

PARSIPPANY — The Bridge Group at the Parsippany Community Center is looking for more card players. Bridge is played every Tuesday between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m.

There is no charge, and no reservations are needed. The only requirement is a basic knowledge of the rules. Come by and play a game or two.

The Community Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located at 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha.

Many activities for senior citizens are offered throughout the day. If you’ve never been to the center before, it’s truly something to see. Come by for a tour anytime. Questions call the Office on Aging, (973) 263-7351.

Letter to the editor: Parsippany is in need of officials who honestly care

MailboxsmallDear Editor,

Parsippany is in need of officials who honestly care for environmental values over private economic concerns. The present administration has failed to protect our remaining landscapes from improper land-use. Quality of life issues seem not to matter to our present administration or Planning Board.

Certain “SuperPac” influences make it doubtful that Parsippany’s best interests will be forthcoming; rather corporate developers will consume what landscapes remain. Behind much of this land is our aquifer where 65% of all Parsippany’s water comes. The rest from two private sources. Paving over the earth will lead us to even higher water bills in the future, accumulative impacts will lead to health issues. Politicians not true leaders that still go for the tax-rateable chase have not learned from the past, that these rateables do not compensate for addition costs and loss of quality of life by additional sprawl and unneeded land development.

A post development mentality must take us into the future. Property in many senses is the end of community; Parsippany has failed to latch on to regional Planning which provides many benefits for all; ignoring all other positive outcomes of regional planning. Our present Master Plan is constantly changed by large developers, at will. We have also failed to upgrade our Master Plan and give it legal standings under regional conformance. What is Home Rule when a developer can sue; whereas regional planning gives legal protections, saving tax-payers and giving transparency and encourages public participation.

This administration failed to save Greystone landscape, which most certainly could have occurred, by contacting the State Historic Trust, and they the National Park Service, which has a Kirkbride division in their Northeast office. Forge Pond may also be lost for failure of action giving back 130 acres allegedly earmarked for open space to developers. Waterview, where the administration without considering the immediate neighborhood or the unique landscape itself in the Troy Brook watershed, a beautiful enhancing feature to the area given over to a nasty inconsiderate developer RD Realty, which our present administration encouraged, and played divide and conquer with their own community. The Turf Field, Fields of Dreams, voted no; went forward anyway with our tax-dollars. The phony case trumped-up against Captain Carifi, costing tax-payers, and the Public Housing Fears used to help developers and deceive the public; the phony choice; either a supermarket, or public housing.

Politicians, not organically linked to their community or environmental issues of the time must not be reelected. Instead of loving our lands they see them as mere commodities available for market speculation; having developed areas not used, they advocate for more development of the same nature. The UPS deal where another office complex in a land littered with offices will destroy another environmental sensitive zone. The administration calls the UPS deal “redevelopment”, in reality it is rezoning and new land development.

There is no place in local elections for SuperPacs, this betrayal of the community, must not manifest at the polls. If voters care for the community and not their own self-interest they will vote their conscience not their party.

In this election, Paul Carifi deserves our support as he has stood for the people, where as the others have placed themselves above the people and ignored the voters.

It is also time for the Democrats to be elected; read their contentions, they are in Parsippany’s best interest. Vote Parsippany’s Best Interest: Vote Carifi, and Two Democrats.

Nicholas Homyak

Become a part of Gingerbread Wonderland

MORRISTOWN — Create a gingerbread masterpiece that more than 10,000 people will view this holiday season. Each year, more than 200 gingerbread houses are displayed at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum’s ‘Gingerbread Wonderland.’ This year, become a part of the show! 

“The creation of the gingerbread house is a unique experience, and provides an excellent team building project. It’s thrilling to have thousands of people view, admire, photograph, and tweet your finished creation,” Lesley Parness, Superintendent of Horticultural Education, at the Morris County Park Commission stated.

Previous entries have included a scene from Snow White, Santa’s Workshop, a grand piano, a Hanukah Menorah, Chinese pagoda, a Nutcracker, and even the White House.

There is a special excitement in the air on Wednesday, December 2 when you bring your masterpiece for display and meet other entrants. Be prepared for the Ohhs and Ahhs, and to share stories about your creation. It is so much fun! Enjoy complimentary apple cider and holiday cookies.

For information on all you need to know to enter your own creation, click here  to download the Gingerbread Wonderland Entry brochure, and you can also view previous creations for inspiration. There are helpful recipes for gingerbread baking, and frosting tips.

Gingerbread registrations must be submitted by November 23. For more information and to register, visit arboretumfriends.org or call (973) 326-7603.

The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey.  It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy.

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