Sons of Italy to host Fourth Annual Beefsteak Dinner

Frank L. Cahill
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Sons of Italy to host Fourth Annual Beefsteak Dinner

PARSIPPANY — Sons of Italy 2561 will be holding its Fourth Annual Beefsteak Dinner on Saturday, November 10. The event will be held at Bloomingdale Fire House, 97 Hamburg Turnpike, Bloomingdale. Tickets are $50.00 each and includes All You Can Eat Beefsteak, roasted potatoes, salad, pasta, assorted desserts, beer, soda, coffee and tea. Door Prizes and Raffles.

After the Beefsteak dinner, comedians Mike Morse and Brad Lowery will perform.

Call (201) 774-0943 for tickets and additional information.

You may recognize Mike Morse from his television appearances on MTV, VH-1, Comedy Central, and E! Entertainment Network. He was a winner on ABC-TV’s popular show America’s Funniest People, and was the host and head writer of Fox TV’s stand-up/sketch comedy show “The Comedy Cabaret.” Mike recently appeared in the AC/DC music video “Stiff Upper Lip” and the Ben Folds Five music video “Army”.

As a stand-up comedian, Mike has performed at comedy clubs, casinos, and colleges in cities all over North America, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Denver, Toronto, and Montreal. Recent appearances include shows at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City and the Riviera in Las Vegas. His unique combination of rapid-fire jokes, hilarious music, and clever props has made him a headlining favorite wherever he performs.

Besides writing and illustrating for Cracked Magazine since the mid-1990’s, Mike’s writing and artwork has been featured in magazines such as Weekly World News, Reader’s Digest, Slick Times, Thwak, and Steppin’ Out. His humorous plays have been produced in New York, California, New Jersey, and Texas, and he served as staff writer for the comedy news television show “168 Hours.” He wrote, directed, and performed with the sketch comedy group The Little Bastards and appeared in several successful New York City productions with the group, including “Nuts In A Lifeshell” and “Dust Bunny Beaujolais”.

Mike was a writer and performer on the popular Internet radio program “The Chaunce Hayden Show.” Mike’s work has also been featured on “The Howard Stern Show,” ESPN, Fuse, and “Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn,” and he is currently a writer for “Late Shift With Kevin Ferguson.”

Brad Lowery travels across the country performing, averaging over 200 dates each year. He has been nominated for Comedian of the Year four times and has been seen on A & E’s “Caroline’s Comedy Hour” and CBS’s “Star Search.” He has also opened for acts such as Chris Rock, Tommy Davidson and Adam Sandler.

Fall has arrived in Lake Hiawatha

Frank L. Cahill
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Fall has arrived in Lake Hiawatha

PARSIPPANY — A reader suggested we take a picture of the Halloween display in front of the Super Foodtown of Lake Hiawatha, 435 North Beverwyck Road.

How do you spell Parsippany?

Frank L. Cahill
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How do you spell Parsippany?

PARSIPPANY — How do you spell Parsippany? This sign has been in the Morris Hills Shopping Center for years.

When we noticed the above sign in the Morris Hills Shopping Center, with Parsippany misspelled, Parsippany Focus emailed Jason Fox of Brixmor Property Group, on January 22, asking them to correct the sign. The sign still remains incorrect.

Last year, Parsippany Focus, ran a story on another misspelled sign on Route 202. Focus contacted the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the sign was corrected within days.

The sign that was on Route 202 that was corrected by New Jersey Department of Transportation
The sign on Route 202 just before Route 80 east ramp, had Parsippany misspelled

When will the owners of Morris Hills Shopping Center correct their sign?

 

 

Valori recommends the “Million Dollar Attorney” to Rockaway Township

Frank L. Cahill
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Valori recommends the “Million Dollar Attorney” to Rockaway Township

PARSIPPANY — In a letter obtained by Parsippany Focus, addressed to the Acting Mayor and Members of the Rockaway Township Council, Former Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Louis Valori wrote “It gives me great pleasure to send this letter of support for John Inglesino to become Rockaway Township’s next Township Attorney.” (Click here for endorsement letter).

This endorsement comes as a surprise, since Mr. Inglesino characterized Lou Valori at a public Council Meeting “Bad people like Lou Valori prey on that cynicism to lie about good, decent public service.” Valori was not content to simply having his big lie play out in the press as a, he said, she said. In order to give his big lie credibility he knew that he had to up the ante, so Valori demanded an investigation and then he took to the microphones to announce that the Somerset County prosecutor’s office was investigating the mayor, the council president and the township attorney. Valori’s big lie was proceeding according to plan, but the Valori made the big miscalculation…” “Personally, I anticipated that Valori would announced his lies to this level after all, he is a former police officer, trained and initiating and conducting investigations,” said Inglesino.  (Click here to view video tape).

During the famous Sunday Night meeting on January 13, 2013 at Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Hall,  Valori alleged that Barberio, Inglesino and former council president Brian Stanton offered to give him a $50,000 township job if he’d stay out of the township’s GOP primary.

Valori secretly recorded the Sunday Night meeting which can be heard discussing a potential job. (click here to listen to bribe tape supplied by Mr. Valori). Valori’s job would have paid about $50,000 a year, and he would have served as media liaison for the police department, Valori said.

That year, Valori ran for and won his first council seat, amist a voter fraud campaign. A campaign worker Jordan Valori, testified that she got a stack of vote-by-mail ballots off a desk in James Vigilante’s office (Candidate for Morris County Clerk) before he told her to sign them so he could drive her to the county election board to drop them off. Jordan Valori is the daughter of Dr. Louis Valori, a retired Parsippany police sergeant who won the Parsippany GOP primary council election with running mate Robert Peluso. (Click here to listen to audio). (Editors Note: This audio tape was recorded by NJ.Com reporter Brendan Kuty).

On March 7, 2013 “An ugly history: Valori accused Inglesino of political bribery” (Click here for article).

On April 1, 2013, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township received a Grand Jury subpoena issued by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset County. That subpoena was to compel production of certain specific documents from the township clerk.

On March 20, 2013, “Valori said he had spoken with representatives from the state Attorney General’s Office and that they were investigating his allegations.”

In a May 9, 2013 letter provided by Inglesino, the Somerset Prosecutor’s Office said criminal prosecution wasn’t “viable” after various interviews and reviews of documents, including a secret recording Valori made. It also said no further investigation was warranted. At that time “Valori said he was disappointed with the investigation.”

On March 4, 2014 it was stated in a story titled “Inglesino’s lucrative Parsippany job on the line, pair allege ‘egregious’ ethics violations” appearing in NJ.com “…Valori said “1099 forms from Inglesino’s law firm show he’s received nearly $3 million for legal services from Parsippany since he took his post in 2010.” (Click here for article)

In April 2014, a story appearing in NJ.com “Parsippany to investigate its own attorney, John Inglesino,” stated the council voted to establish itself as a committee to investigate Inglesino over various alleged conflicts of interest and violations, under a resolution read by Councilman Louis Valori — one of the leading figures in the anti-Inglesino camp.

In November 2014, Former Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio said “Lou Valori is seeking revenge because I would not promote him to lieutenant prior to his retirement from the Parsippany Police Department.” This comment was in reference when “Parsippany council sues mayor, says he’s sending big bucks to politically connected attorney.” (The suit is targeting what it terms “excessive payments” to Township Attorney John Inglesino) (Click here for article).

On February 12, 2015, in an article published on nj.com, it was stated “Also at issue is a 1099 tax form submitted to the township that lists $822,382 in “nonemployee compensation” to Inglesino’s law firm for 2014. Valori, leader of the effort for the audit, said Aurora has billed the township for 3,500 hours of work. “Really?” Valori asked. “3,500 hours? For one computer?” More than $1.4 million is now in question in the two areas — the billings from the Aurora firm and Inglesino’s legal bills. Aurora’s billing records became public following an Open Public Records Act request by Frank Cahill, editor and reporter for the online news site Parsippany Focus.”

In March 2015, “Valori said that Inglesino has racked up exorbitant legal fees from the township, and that he improperly circumvented the council approval process for hiring a company — Aurora Information Security — to evaluate the computer records of the council president’s brother.

“Inglesino has already put Parsippany taxpayers are on the hook for $900,000 in legal bills paid directly to his law firm and $700,000 for Aurora Information Security and Risk Services with Mr. Inglesino circumventing the mandated council approval process when retaining Aurora,” Valori also said in his statement. “The amount of money spent on Aurora and Inglesino, Parsippany could have re-turfed both High School Football Fields,” said Valori. (Click here to read article).

Then Valori flip-flopped and supported Inglesino. Many residents questioned why?

Valori ran for re-election to the Township Council in 2017 and lost. A resident stated “A majority of people wanted him (Inglesino) removed, and were willing to remove the Mayor and the town council (Louis Valori) to do it.”

The sign is very clear. This was the message many residents at the Township Council meeting of December 27, 2017 were echoing.

At the council meeting of Tuesday, December 19, 2017, residents were voicing their opinion over the dissatisfaction of the resolution presented by Township Council President Louis Valori in a final attempt to save Township Attorney John Inglesino from being replaced by the new Administration at the annual reorganization meeting. Council President Louis Valori introduced Resolution No. 2017:187 at the regular Council meeting held on Tuesday, December 19. (Click here to read previous article on Resolution 2017:187)

Resolution No. 2017:187 was approved 3-0 with two members abstaining. Council President Louis Valori, Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani voted to approve the resolution to keep Inglesino as a holdover.

Residents holding up signs “No More Inglesino”

“I feel the voters spoke. We want a new attorney. We don’t want a holdover appointment,” said Parsippany resident Julia Peterson.

Brooklawn Drive resident Bob Venezia asked several questions including (1) How does the resolution benefit Parsippany residents and (2) Where is the conflict of interest in Carifi voting on the new Twp Attorney?

“Your mayor, James Barberio, promised a smooth transition, so you are usurping the power of both mayors, the present mayor and the elected Michael Soriano,” said Lake Hiawatha resident Nick Homyak.

“How about Inglesino’s conflicts with his developers buddies. After Waterview this guy is no friend of the people of Parsippany. If Barberio refused the past council’s vote to remove Inglesino then the new Mayor should have same privilege to remove any attorney” said Nicholas Homyak.

“John Inglesino is a political parasite feeding on the body politic of Parsippany,” said Glacier Hills resident Brian Tappen. “Jamie and you both lost your election because of your association with John (Referring to Council President Louis Valori). A majority of people wanted him removed, and were willing to remove the mayor and the town council to do it.”

Resident Ken Dolsky said “The Carifi cases are not the most important issues in this town. The council can’t deny the will of the people for years over this one issue.  I did not hear anyone from the public speak in favor of keeping Mr. Inglesino as the town attorney.” 

Current Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano campaign promise was to replace Township Attorney John Inglesino. Soriano replaced Inglesino on January 1, 2018, after he was sworn in as Mayor.

Valori is currently the Chairman of the Parsippany Republican Committee.

Hey! My name is Cookie … adopt me

Frank L. Cahill
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Hey! My name is Cookie … adopt me

PARSIPPANY — Hey! My name is Cookie and I’m as sweet as my name suggests!

I am a two-year-old Whippet/Spaniel mix who is active, fun, and very loving. I am about 30 lbs and fully grown.

I was rescued by Wise Animal Rescue from a local municipal shelter where I was beyond terrified. Staff could barely get me to even take a walk outside my cage. Thankfully, I found a wonderful foster home and have absolutely blossomed!

My ideal home would be one with a fenced yard, a doggy friend, and older children. I love running around and giving kisses! While I have made leaps and bounds coming out of my shell, some loud noises still spook me but I am working on it! My doggy foster sister gives me lots of confidence so that’s why I’d love to live with one in my forever home!

I am potty trained and not destructive when left alone. My foster mom taught me “sit” and I love learning! One of my favorite things to do is jump on her lap and give her LOTS of kisses–it’s my favorite!

If you’re looking for a fun, loving dog, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.

Webber Campaign Fundraising is nearly $1.3 million

Frank L. Cahill
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Webber Campaign Fundraising is nearly $1.3 million
MORRIS COUNTY – The Webber for Congress campaign announces that its total raised in the campaign is nearly $1.3 million. The Webber Victory Committee has raised over $333,000, and the campaign is on track for raising substantially more between now and Election Day.
Campaign spokesperson Ronica Cleary made the following statement: “We are thankful for our donors who have supported our campaign and believe in Jay’s message. Jay is running a campaign that aims to unite us across party lines and make New Jersey’s 11th District better for everyone.”

Saint Christopher Church will host “Operation Christmas Child Shoebox”

Frank L. Cahill
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Saint Christopher Church will host “Operation Christmas Child Shoebox”

PARSIPPANY — Saint Christopher Church will host “Operation Christmas Child Shoebox” on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Samaritan’s Purse is an amazing organization that works year round for many great causes. Operation Christmas child is an amazing way to bring a smile to a child who would otherwise not receive anything at Christmas time.

They will gather at Saint Christopher Church to come together as a community to fill as many shoe boxes as we can with all the donations we receive.

This is a great experience for all involved. Bring your children and have them join in on the fun of giving back. The children will get to write a personal letter to fill the box with love.

If you are wondering how you could help, here are several ways to help:

ADOPT A BOX – You can adopt a box for $9.00 your  donation will pay for the shipping of a single shoe box. Our goal this year is to pack 500 boxes and ship to 100 countries! Checks for shipping will be made out to Samaritan’s Purse

DONATE GIFTS – You can go to your local dollar store and purchase items for the children and drop them off to me at Saint Christopher’s Church.

Find a list of items click here.

MAKE A MONETARY DONATION – You can make a $20.00 donation. This donation will be used to purchase gifts and ship one box! We accept cash or checks. checks made payable to to Stacy Stampone. All checks and donations should be to me by October 26.

JOIN THE PACKING PARTY – Join the packing party to help pack a box. Please bring a check to ship at least one box!

For more information on Operation Shoebox, click here.

Saint Christopher Church is located at 1050 Littleton Road.

Fire Department speaks to Rainbow Lakes Seniors and Retirees Group

Press Release
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Fire Department speaks to Rainbow Lakes Seniors and Retirees Group

PARSIPPANY — Rainbow Lakes Seniors and Retirees Group of the Rainbow Lakes Community Club would like to thank Pete Deegan and Robert Onufrick from the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company (RLVFC) along with Brian Ricci from the Parsippany Division of Fire Prevention for an excellent presentation on fire prevention and services provided by the dedicated volunteers of RLVFC.

Some topics included were dryer safety, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide, escape plans, portable heater safety, possible dangers of extension cords, when to call 9-1-1.

October is Fire Prevention Month….if your smoke alarms and or carbon monoxide are over 10 years old replace them and remember to check/change batteries when you adjust for daylight savings time.

DeCroce received the Humanitarian and Presidents Award from the Columbian Foundation

Frank L. Cahill
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DeCroce received the Humanitarian and Presidents Award from the Columbian Foundation

PARSIPPANY — Assistant Minority Leader/Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce received the Humanitarian and Presidents Award from the Columbian Foundation on Saturday, October 13.

Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips and BettyLou DeCroce

“The Columbian Foundation is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3), charitable organization founded in 1941 by business and professional men of Italian descent. Our primary objectives are to promote the culture and heritage of Italian ethnicity, to enhance the image of people of Italian descent, and to improve the cultural, educational, economic and social welfare of people of our community.

Over the past 75 years, The Columbian Foundation has participated in many works of philanthropy, and we are proud to have donated over a million dollars to various worthy causes during that time. Such efforts include primarily scholarship grants to needy medical students, law school students and college undergrads; contributions to various medical institutions such as hospitals and qualified medical charities; and the establishment of the Italian Institute and the Italian Studies Chair at Seton Hall University to promote teaching of the Italian language, literature and Italian culture and history.

Historically, The Foundation was one of the first organizations in the area to make a substantial donation to the Greater Newark Hospital Development Fund and continues that dedication to the medical profession to this day by being a principal donor to Rutgers Medical School. It has also made generous contributions to many other well-known causes outside the United States including the Italian Earthquake Relief Fund.

The cultural endeavors of The Foundation also include those in the musical arts, such as local symphony and opera groups. Financial aid and leadership are given to these organizations and others by The Foundation and by its members. In this regard, we are fortunate to number among our membership prominent businessman and leaders who recognize their civic responsibility and take leadership positions on Boards of Directors and in Management of various groups.

As a primary means of raising funds, the Annual Awards Dinner honors individuals who have achieved prominence in working toward our objectives in various fields. In past years, thousands of individuals have attended these dinners to honor men and women of outstanding achievement while supporting the goals of The Foundation.”

BettyLou DeCroce is a distinguished legislator with extensive local and state government knowledge, an unparalleled behind-the-scenes perspective, and a spirit of bipartisanship.

DeCroce serves on several legislative committees and commissions including: Transportation & Independent Authorities, the Joint Committee on Public Schools, Banking and Insurance, Science & Technology, Pre-trial Services Review Commission, the Intergovernmental Relations Commission, and the Manufacturing Caucus.

She has received numerous awards, including the NJ Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Legislator of the Year; Defender of the Taxpayer Award, for her advocacy of common-sense measures to reduce taxes and create jobs; two time finalist Leading Women Entrepreneur Award; and was recognized by the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey.

Prior to serving in the New Jersey State Legislature, DeCroce served as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in Governor Chris Christie’s Administration, where she authored the Best Practices for Municipalities, which became a statewide model for identifying efficiencies in local government for reducing property taxes, and recognized nationwide.

DeCroce began her government service career as a Councilwoman in Mine Hill. She then went on to from there to serve as Municipal Clerk, Deputy Township Manager and Planning Board Member in Roxbury, and served eleven years on the Board of Adjustment in Parsippany.

DeCroce also served as the first Chair-Woman of the Morris County Joint Insurance Fund, comprised of forty municipalities, where she achieved savings through shared services and negotiated healthcare.

DeCroce brings business-savvy and a small business perspective to the Legislature as President and Owner of ERA Gallo & DeCroce Realtors, a real estate firm in Morris County for over forty-six years; and as Vice President of AD Holdings, a home construction company. She has been declared one of the 50 Best Women in Business by NJBIZ and an NJ Monthly finalist for Leading Woman Entrepreneur and Business Owner.

In addition, DeCroce was selected to participate in The Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration.

DeCroce resides in Parsippany  and enjoys spending time with her two sons and four grandchildren.

DeCroce’s Legislative Office is located at 90 East Halsey Road, Suite 380, Parsippany.

EMSCNJ receives $7,000 AT&T contribution to support cadet scholarships

Frank L. Cahill
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EMSCNJ receives $7,000 AT&T contribution to support cadet scholarships
SAYREVILLE — AT&T has contributed $7,000 to support the EMS Council of New Jersey’s (EMSCNJ) cadet scholarship program.
The 89-year-old nonprofit New Jersey State First Aid Council, now doing business as the EMSCNJ, represents 20,000 EMS volunteers affiliated with 250+ EMS agencies throughout the Garden State.
Today Althea Yancy, Regional Director, AT&T, presented EMSCNJ President Joseph G. Walsh, Jr. with a check, which will be used to expand the organization’s cadet scholarship program.
“We distribute scholarships twice a year, as our budget allows,” Walsh said. “We always receive many more applications than we can fund, so unfortunately, we can’t accommodate every deserving cadet.”
So far this year, the EMSCNJ has awarded eight $1,000 cadet scholarships to high school seniors who were active volunteers on their Council-affiliated squads and planned to attend college this Fall.  Fifty-one cadets applied. A selection committee at Raritan Valley Community College reviewed the applications and selected the recipients.
The EMSCNJ also awarded six $1,000 Gail Lawrence Memorial Scholarships to graduate students pursuing medical-related careers and who also are active squad participants.
“AT&T’s generosity will enable us to assist more of our worthy cadets who otherwise might be turned down for scholarships, simply because we don’t have the funds,” Walsh said. “This is an investment not only in the future of volunteer EMS, but also our communities.”
The EMSCNJ also supports the annual cadet competition in Keyport, which drew approximately 150 New Jersey and New York cadets in June, and arranges for cadets to attend a free, full day of the October conference each year.
Yancy said the contribution is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative that helps provide access to the education and training people need to get and keep good jobs.
“AT&T is committed to assisting New Jersey’s youth in exploring their talents, skills and strengths, which we hope will help guide them as they make career choices,” said Yancy.  “We’re proud to support the EMS Council of New Jersey’s cadet scholarship program in its mission to encourage and support volunteerism and academic achievement, particularly among young members.”

Photo credit: Sylvie Mulvaney/EMSCNJ
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