With New Jersey under a state of emergency in advance of an expected Nor’easter arriving ahead of Hurricane Joaquin’s possible arrival this weekend, authorities from various state agencies are asking residents to make preparations. We’ve compiled a social media list of government, weather, emergency, transportation, utilities and other resources to follow to keep up to date…
Community Center to Close Friday for Electrical Upgrades
PARSIPPANY — Seniors beware! If you’re heading to the Parsippany Community Center on Friday, you’ll have to wait until Monday.
Electrical work is being done by JCP&L to make necessary changes to hook up the emergency backup generator.
The Fire Prevention and Housing Department will work from Parsippany Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard on Friday, October 2 and the Health Department, Human Services Department, Medical drivers and Health Department Inspectors will be working remotely.
Blessing of Animals Liturgy at St. Gregory’s
PARSIPPANY — Cats, dogs, pigs, lizards, hamsters, birds, even hermit crabs are welcome at the Feast of St. Francis Blessing of Animals Liturgy at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Parsippany on Sunday, October 4.
The liturgy will begin at 5:00 p.m. with refreshments following the service. Donations will be collected for the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, East Hanover.
Items requested include dog food, cat food and paper towels.
St. Gregory’s is located at 480 South Beverwyck Road.
For more information, call (973) 887-5879.
Parsippany Historical & Preservation Society speaks at Kiwanis Club
PARSIPPANY —Mary Purrzycki of Parsippany Historical & Preservation Society was the guest speaker at Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany on Thursday, October 1.
Purrzycki discussed the upcoming “Pathways of History” 2015 Historic Places Tour. The tour consists of over 23 historic locations throughout Morris County.
The dates of the tour are Saturday, October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 11 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.
A weekend tour is featuring history places in Parsippany, Mount Tabor, Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Denville, Dover, Florham Park, Kinnelon, Lake Hopatcong, Mine Hill, Montville Township, Mount Olive, Pequannock Township, Randolph, Rockaway Township, Roxbury Township and Washington Township.
Among the many places to tour, Parsippany’s Bowlsby-DeGelleke House, 320 Baldwin Road is a place not to miss. The house is known for “The Wake of George Bowlsby” Mourning during Civil War. They will exhibit Mourning costume and Jewelry form 1860 to 1890. The house tours by docents in period costumes.
The Bowlsby-DeGelleke House is a one-and-a-half story clapboard-sided framed farmhouse. The house was built-in two stages by George Bowlsby, Jr. (c. 1790 and 1819). Originally the front entrance was on the right side. An addition to the right of the door resulted in a central entrance appearance. It has two chimneys, one at each gable end. The central hallway runs from the main entrance to the rear of the house, and contains a mid-19th century staircase to the second floor, and stairs to the basement. On either side of the hallway are two interconnecting rooms. The left (west) side contains a front parlor with a fireplace and a back room. Both have original wide oak flooring. The right (east) side of the house contains a dining room with original wide pine flooring, and a kitchen with replaced wide pine floorboards. The west side of the second floor originally was one large storage room. Walls were added in 1920 to create two bedrooms. The kitchen, also modernized, once had a hand water pump from a cistern in the cellar. The house is decorated in the 1850 – 1860 period.
During the Civil War, Parsippany and Troy saw their boys go off to war and many of them not return. George Bowlsby, William S. Van Fleet and Josiah Quincy Grimes are three who did not survive. Exhibits follow their involvement in the War Between the States.
The “Wake of George Bowlsby” – Mourning during the Civil War.
Join the family in their time of grief and experience the home during the mourning period. Read letters from Pvt. Van Fleet to his wife, Anna Doremus, a Parsippany resident. Follow the history of the Grimes family in Parsippany.
The house was purchased in 1977 by the Township and is used as the Parsippany-Troy Hills Museum and Archives.
The Mount Tabor Historical Society will be giving guided tours of “Richardson History House” located at 32 Trinity Place, Mount Tabor.
Built in 1873 for the Richardson family, this historic house is distinct as one-third of a triple cottage. Mount Tabor was founded as a post-Civil War permanent Methodist Camp Meeting ground, and the History House is a small-scale 19th century Folk Victorian Camp Meeting cottage. This cottage was owned by a descendent of Richardson until 2007, when it was bequeathed to the Historical Society to serve as a museum. Due to the ownership remaining within the same family, the interior of the cottage is a highly preserved example of a camp meeting cottage. Please take note of the original decorative trompe l’oeil painting on the wood panels in the parlors. The large floor-to-ceiling plate-glass windows in the front parlor swing open to take advantage of the summer breezes and Trinity Park.
Recent renovations: Grants from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust have helped fund painting the kitchen and upstairs rooms in authentic colors, all new electrical wiring with new lighting fixtures, a new roof and other structural repairs.
For complete information and locations of all 23 tours, click here.
Former Morris County Sheriff John M. Fox, Sr. laid to rest
PARSIPPANY — Former Morris County Sherrif John M. Fox, Sr., was laid to rest on Wednesday, September 30.
Morris County Sheriff’s Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department were joined by law enforcement officers from across New Jersey to pay tribute to former Morris County Sheriff, Freeholder and Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman John M. Fox. Also joining at St. Christopher’s Roman Catholic Church was Governor Chris Christie, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Sheriff Edward Rochford, Undersheriff Richard Wall, Undersheriff William Schievella, Morris County Prosecutor Fred Knapp as well as other area diginitaries.
The funeral included full police honors and music from the Morris County Police Pipes and Drums.
Fox, 73, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, September 26, surrounded by his loving family.
John was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to East Orange as a young child. He lived in Livingston before settling in Parsippany in 1955.
John began his career in public service as a police officer in 1965 with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, later rising to the rank of detective. In 1975, he was elected Sheriff of Morris County and spent the next 18 years turning the office into a support center for local enforcement. His accomplishments include creating the Crimestoppers program, Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (S.L.A.P ), K-9 unit, Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) and the criminal investigation division.
After his retirement in 1992, John continued his life of public service by serving as a Morris County Freeholder, a Parsippany-Troy Hills councilman, and most recently as a commissioner of the Morris County Board of Elections.
John has been the recipient of numerous awards, including mostly recently the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the State Troopers Coalition.
While his professional accomplishments are many, his greatest joy was his family.
“As a young Sheriff, John Fox had the vision to start Crimestoppers, SLAP, a K-9 Unit, a Bomb Squad and our Criminal investigative Services Unit. His vision laid the foundation for what the Morris County Sheriff’s Office has become today; an award-winning, nationally recognized law enforcement agency. All of our officers and employees have Sheriff Fox’s family in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort knowing he has left such a wonderful legacy in the county he loved so very much,” said Sheriff Ed Rochford.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen said “John Fox was an old friend who I first met when I got out of the Army back in 1971. He was a great Morris County sheriff and freeholder and left a positive mark on law enforcement in our community , especially his work to establish the Morris County Police and Fire Academy.”
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., said “I had the honor and the privilege to work for John Fox while he was Morris County Sheriff. Not only was he a visionary but a true leader. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office would not be what it is today if it were not for John Fox. He may be gone but never forgotten.”
Morris County Administrator John Bonanni stated “The entire Morris County family mourns the loss of Sheriff Fox and extends our sincerest condolences to his Family. Sheriff Fox was a natural born leader whose many contributions will remain with Morris County forever to both protect its citizens and symbolize his legacy. He had a unique and instinctive manner that simply and naturally commanded respect. He fostered, maintained and developed a culture of “dedicated creativity” that resulted in the continual development and implementation of so many programs and services designed to keep Morris County safe. Whether serving as Sheriff or Freeholder, John Fox assumed each position with a deep understanding of critical issues and a determined committment to always make improvements were needed. All of his wonderful qualities were topped off with nothing less than a great sense of humor, which kept all of us who worked with him coming back for more. May God Bless Sheriff Fox and his family.”
“Sheriff Fox will be truly missed I had the honor and privilege to work for him for approximately five years. He was a mentor to me and a role model for the Law Enforcement community. Sheriff Fox was an exceptional leader who’s vision had made the Morris County Sheriffs Department what it is today,” said Councilman Louis Valori, Jr.
“John Fox played an important and successful role as a Police Officer/Detective and as the Sheriff of Morris County. One of his goals was to start and grow Crime Stoppers here in Morris County and to this day it is a successful and interactive instrument in fighting crime and allows individuals to be involved and inform law enforcement of any information they may have without the worry of being exposed. I worked with Sheriff Fox at the Morris County Sherriff’s department during his tenure as Sheriff of Morris County. Years later I was his Campaign Chair for his Council seat here in Parsippany. Knowing John and his family has been a long time friendship. Congressman Dean Gallo and my late husband Republican Leader Alex DeCroce were close confidants and John played a large roll in their political careers as well as they did in his. My first thought was sadness for his family and knowing how proud he was to be a grandfather and how unfair it is that he will not be able to see his grandchildren growing up. I know Maryann and the family will make sure they know how important their grandfather was to Morris County and the State of New Jersey. May God Bless him and his family,” said Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce.
A private service followed at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, with the funeral caravan of police vehicles, including busloads of officers, stopping traffic along Route 10.
Mr. Fox is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Mary Ann (nee-Japko), his loving children: John and his wife, Deanna, Michelle Theobald and her husband, Darren, and Karie Golenda and her husband, Michael, and his dear brother and sisters: Vincent and his wife, Cora, Barbara Bullwinkel and husband, Bill and Susan Turner; he is also survived by his five adoring grandchildren: Sienna, Michael, Matthew, Natalie and Ryan.
Prime Healthcare completes acquisition of Saint Clare’s hospitals
DENVILLE — Prime Healthcare Services announced Thursday it had completed its acquisition of the Saint Clare’s Health System in New Jersey. The transaction, which closed on July 31 with an effective date of sale deferred to Oct. 1, includes Saint Clare’s Hospital in Boonton, Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville, Saint Clare’s Hospital in Dover and Saint…
Here’s what a state of emergency actually does
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency Thursday, as Hurricane Joaquin continued an uncertain path toward the East Coast. The declaration — which in the past has come before everything from Hurricane Sandy to major snow storms and Pope Francis’ recent U.S. visit — indicates state government is taking a potential event seriously,…
Prepare and Plan: National Weather Service issued a “Hazardous Weather Outlook”
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Office of Emergency Management and The Morris County Office of Emergency Management continues to keep a close eye on the path and storm track of Hurricane Joaquin which is currently a Category 3 Hurricane. Joaquin will likely be upgraded to a Category 4 Hurricane as we move forward in the storm track process. Since we cannot wait for the final verdict, our preparedness planning processes remain in full motion. As we continue our planning efforts the Office of Emergency Management has elevated our operational status within the Emergency Operations Center.
The focus remains on Sunday night and Monday. Keep in mind that the storm track continues to change and we are not locking into any specific model at this time since significant variability currently exists.
To receive Emergency Text Messages & Phone Alerts click here on this registration link.
Some of the storm models reviewed this morning suggest that Hurricane Joaquin will make landfall South of the state Sunday night and Monday while other tracks suggest an East Coast landfall or an Out-to-Sea solution. The longer that Joaquin remains in the Bahamas area, the greater the likelihood that we could possibly see an Out-to-Sea solution.
Periods of rain will be likely Sunday night and Monday and this could become heavy at times. Breezy conditions can be expected today through Sunday with wind gusts to 30-35 mph possible. Higher gusts will be possible Sunday night and Monday depending on the ultimate track of Joaquin.
First Energy/Jersey Central Power and Light has activated storm plans and additional crews have already been mobilized ahead of the storm. The First Energy customer call centers will be fully staffed. Customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the “Report Outage” link at www.firstenergycorp.com
FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive important information in advance of major storms, and updates on extended power outages. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts.
More information about these communications tools is available online, by clicking here.
The Morris County Office of Emergency Management will continue to post weather related updates via Facebook (facebook.com/MCUrgent) and Twitter (search for the handle @MCUrgent).
“My job is make sure that everyone knows who is responsible ahead of time, who has the authority, and how we’re going to communicate before the emergency happens,” said Eric Hubner, Deputy Director of Parsippany’s Office of Emergency Management.
Safety Tips During Power Outages:
Keep flashlights and fresh batteries in your home. Avoid using candles to light your home, especially around children and pets.
If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out.
Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune to a local station for current storm information.
Basic Preparedness Tips
Fill vehicle fuel tanks and make sure you have cell phone car plug adapters to charge phones and portable devices in the event of extended power outages
Fill spare gasoline containers in the event that you have a gas generator or other critical gas powered items
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
Make a family emergency plan, including third party communications contacts and rendezvous points.
Morris County Municipalities have the ability to utilize the Morris County Office of Emergency Management’s Everbridge communication platform. This system will be utilized in the event that critical information needs to be disseminated. In addition, many of our Morris County communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your municipality, check the municipal website.
To sign up for the Morris County MCURGENT notification systems text “Follow @MCUrgent” to 40404, follow us on Twitter: @MCUrgent, or find us on Facebook: facebook.com/MCUrgent
Preparing your Car
Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit located in the trunk.
Vehicle emergency supply kids should include:
A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
Jumper cables
Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool
Flashlight and extra batteries
Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible
Compass
First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, nonlatex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress
Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
Drinking water
Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help
Car charger for your cell phone
Fire extinguisher
Duct tape
Rain poncho
Additional items for cold weather include a snow brush, shovel, windshield washer fluid, warm clothing, cat litter for traction and blankets
It’s also a good idea to keep family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company, in your phone.
Preparing Your Home
Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.
Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.
Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors.
Nonperishable food that does not require the use of a stove/oven etc
Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
Check operational status of generators. Old fuel should be changed to allow for efficient operation.
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
Have appropriate medications on hand
Baby supplies
Pet supplies
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
We encourage the public to look at travel plans and preparedness activities ahead of the storm.
Community Preparedness: The Facts
Research on preparedness shows that people who believe themselves “prepared” for disasters often aren’t as prepared as they think. Forty percent of survey respondents did not have household plans, 80 percent had not conducted home evacuation drills, and nearly 60 percent did not know their community’s evacuation routes.
Nearly 20 percent of survey respondents reported having a disability that would affect their capacity to respond to an emergency situation, but shockingly only one out of four of them had made arrangements specific to their disability to help them respond safely in the event of an emergency.
Our nation’s emergency managers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMT/paramedics, and other emergency responders do an incredible job of keeping us safe, but they can’t do it alone. We must all embrace our individual responsibility to be prepared – in doing so, we contribute to the safety and security of the nation as well.
Becoming more prepared in case of an emergency is easier than you might think. Whether it’s your home, your neighborhood, your place of business, or your school, you can take a few simple steps to prepare your community. This toolkit gives you the basics for getting started.
The following links can be useful in case of an emergency.
Red Cross Mobile Apps
Other Related Links
- First Energy (JCP&L)
- NJ Natural Gas
- Cablevision
- Comcast
- Verizon
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
- Volunteers for Morris County
Ready Parsippany signs are being posted throughout the town
Exxon sells damaged Southern California refinery to Parsippany company
LOS ANGELES — A New Jersey-based oil refining company announced Wednesday that it will acquire a damaged Los Angeles-area Exxon Mobil plant for $537.5 million, after repairs have been completed early next year. The acquisition isn’t expected to have any immediate effect on gasoline prices in the Los Angeles area, where consumers have paid as much…
Students created patches to reflect their heritage
PARSIPPANY — Students in Mrs. Kate Johnson’s English 2 Quilt Class at Parsippany Hills High School created a patch of self-reflection on their heritage and family traditions. This activity was the culmination of a study of the summer reading selection, Funny in Farsi, a memoir of growing up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas.