Parsippany Police to hold First Junior Police Academy

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Police to hold First Junior Police Academy

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department will be holding its first Junior Police Academy between July 30 and August 3.

The Academy will be held at the Parsippany Police Athletic League Building on Baldwin Road. Each day will start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.

Applicants must be Parsippany residents in the seventh or eighth grade for the 2018-2019 school year.

Application packets will be available at your School Resource Officers Office beginning Monday, April 9.

Applicants will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Deadline for returning the completed packet will be April 26 at 4:00 p.m.

Class size will be limited to 40 recruits.

Any questions regarding the Academy may be directed to: Lt. Keith Lefferts at (973) 263-7086.

Freeholder John Cesaro Seeks 3rd Term to the Morris County Freeholder Board

Frank L. Cahill
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Freeholder John Cesaro Seeks 3rd Term to the Morris County Freeholder Board

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident and Morris County Freeholder, John Cesaro, is seeking his third term on the Morris County Freeholder Board.  “I am looking forward to serving another three years as a freeholder and committed to working hard to keep Morris County one of the best places to live, work and raise a family” states Cesaro.

John Cesaro has been a resident of Parsippany for 26 years and is married with two sons.  Cesaro served for 6½ years on the Parsippany Township Council until he was elected to the Morris County Freeholder Board in 2012.  While on the Township Council, Cesaro was a proponent of traffic issues and keeping a close eye on expenses.

It is those same issues that have remained important to Cesaro as a member of the Freeholder Board.  During his tenure on the Freeholder Board, Cesaro is serving as the Liaison to Public Works.  “The municipalities in our County have been very clear about many of their needs.  One in particular, is their roads.  As a result, the County has embarked upon a road paving policy which seeks to pave 25-30 miles of roadway per year.  In 2017, the County paved approximately 27.4 miles of County roads and we look forward to continuing our efforts” Cesaro stated.

Focusing on the taxpayer wallets, Cesaro is proud of his record of providing the County taxpayers with the sound fiscal management they deserve.  “I am proud of my record of providing the taxpayers with a budget containing 0 increases for 3 years.  When I felt strongly about a budget increase, I did not vote for it” stated Cesaro.  Cesaro also touts the accolades that the financial institutions give the County with reference to our conservative financial management.  “I am proud that year after year we continue to maintain our AAA bond rating.  Further, these same agencies continue to praise Morris County as having a ‘history of conservative budgeting and balanced financial operations’ which, in the end, benefits our County residents” states Cesaro.

As the primary campaign season comes to life, Cesaro hopes to count on the support of his hometown neighbors and friends as well as the voters throughout Morris County.  “For years, I have gone to thousands of doors throughout Parsippany and our County.  In doing so, I learned about the many concerns raised by our residents.  I have been able to relay these concerns to our administration and have always sought to get the best possible results.  I hope that the primary voters, as well as the general election voters, will bless me with another term on the Freeholder Board” stated Cesaro.

Cesaro is married to Melissa and they have two sons.  He is a private attorney and a parishioner and lector at St. Christopher’s Church.  Prior to being elected to the Morris County Freeholder Board, Cesaro was a Councilman in Parsippany from January 2006 through June 2012.

Webber Advocates Making Health Care More Affordable

Frank L. Cahill
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Webber Advocates Making Health Care More Affordable

PARSIPPANY — Assemblyman Jay Webber laid into the Democrat-led Assembly Appropriations Committee for approving legislation today that would penalize taxpayers hundreds of dollars for not having health insurance.

Assemblyman Jay Webber

“It’s just wrong for government to force people to buy something they choose not to buy,” said Webber (R-Morris). “We should look for ways to make health insurance affordable, but there are better alternatives to government threats and penalties. We can lower the costs by introducing more competition, less regulation and more choices for consumers.”

The bill (A3380) requires every taxpayer in the state to purchase health insurance or pay a tax to the state. About 189,000 New Jersey residents paid $93.3 million in penalties in 2015 under the recently repealed federal mandate, according to IRS data collected by liberal think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective. Over 90 percent of those residents earned under $75,000, and 78 percent earned under $50,000.

“We shouldn’t be penalizing people for not purchasing insurance when they can’t afford it,” continued Webber, who is the Republican appropriations officer. “We should be doing everything we can to lower the cost of insurance, because when it’s affordable it’s accessible.”

The new state penalty would cost as much as a bronze-level health insurance plan, which costs $522 annually – a 9 percent increase over last year.

Blue and Sandy are looking for a loving home

Frank L. Cahill
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Blue and Sandy are looking for a loving home

PARSIPPANY — Sandy is an 11-year old female poodle bonded with her best friend Blue, a 6-year old female Yorkie. They are very sweet dogs and love to be in people’s company. These two could spend all day being pet and cuddling! They are shy at first, but quickly warm up to you. Once they make themselves comfortable, they never leave your side! Blue and Sandy make very loyal companions and great company. They do well with other dogs and cats. Blue and Sandy would do best in a quiet environment with kids above the age of 16. They are looking for a home where they can spend their days receiving unconditional love!

If you are interested in adopting this dynamic duo, please fill out an application by clicking here.  Blue and Sandy may only be adopted together

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

W.A.R.’s goal is to find the perfect family dynamic and place our dogs in a loving, safe and permanent home. All of our dogs available for adoption are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots and microchipped.

Our adoption process starts with filling an application, home visit, meet and greet and then finalizing with an adoption contract and fee.

Adoption fees range from about $300.00 to$600.00. These fees help defray costs of veterinary and foster care and are tax deductible.

SBA Women’s Business Centers Help Launch Women-Owned Small Businesses

Frank L. Cahill
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SBA Women’s Business Centers Help Launch Women-Owned Small Businesses

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today the addition of nine new Women’s Business Centers with a mission of helping women entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses. The opening of these new centers will provide assistance and resources to entrepreneurs in new and expanded markets around the nation.

“The funding of these new Women’s Business Centers expands women’s access to resources to help their businesses succeed,” SBA Administrator Linda McMahon said. “This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Women’s Business Center program and I am proud to be a part of the expansion of resources and services to women entrepreneurs across America. The work these centers provide is one of the most valuable forms of assistance to help women entrepreneurs, who are an engine for economic growth.”

The SBA Women’s Business Centers are a national network of more than 100 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to women entrepreneurs on numerous business development topics, including business startup, financial management, marketing and procurement.

“It’s a great time to be a woman entrepreneur. I’m really excited that the SBA, through our new Women’s Business Centers, will be able to expand the locations in which entrepreneurial development services are provided,” Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership Kathy McShane said. “We know that when women get help in the early stages of their company, they will be more successful. We are encouraging more women to come forward and utilize the services offered by the centers.”

In fiscal year 2017, the Women’s Business Center program counseled and trained nearly 150,000 entrepreneurs nationwide. According to the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, there are 9.9 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. They employ more than eight million workers, provide more than $264 billion in wages and salaries to employees, and contribute $1.4 trillion in sales to the national economy.

To learn more about SBA’s programs and services for women entrepreneurs, click here.

To find your local Women’s Business Center and other SBA resources, click here.

The local office is at Women’s Business Center, 311 Main Street, 2nd Floor Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Chatham, NJ 07928, Phone: (973) 507-9700.

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Frank L. Cahill
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

PARSIPPANY — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is proud to support Prevent Child Abuse NJ in their Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign.

This month the Kiwanis Club kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month setting up pinwheel gardens and displays, with the first one set up at the Parsippany Town Hall and followed by a second display set up at the Parsippany IHOP on Route 46.

Once again, IHOP has agreed to collect donations throughout the month of April for Child Abuse Prevention Month.  In addition, many pinwheel gardens will be set up  to turn your attention to the importance of ensuring great childhoods for all children because our children are our future. Gourmet Cafe purchased all of the pinwheels which will be used in the pinwheel gardens and displays.

All throughout April you will see pinwheels on display around the Parsippany and Lake Hiawatha areas as the symbol of this very thought…that all children deserve a great childhood because they are our future.

And while the pinwheel can do many things — bring smiles, lift spirits, call for healthy starts for all children — the one thing it cannot do is move on its own.  Be the force that makes it move, bringing about real change for children in the United States.  Protecting our children is everyone’s job…it’s your turn to make a difference!

Since 1983, April has been a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse.  As we look upon the faces of the many children in our communities and think about all of the children around the world that suffer at the hands of others, let’s remember that April may be Child Abuse Prevention Month, but unfortunately abuse happens every day.  That is why every year, during the month of April, communities across the country come together to focus on this startling issue and on the need for widespread prevention and public awareness campaigns to reduce the number of children who, sadly, are victims of abuse.  Close to 700,000 children were victims of child abuse; and almost 1,700 children died as a result of abuse or neglect.

During a recent Kiwanis meeting, Karen DeChristopher, President-Elect and Co-Director of the Kiwanis “Young Children Priority One” program who has lead this campaign for the past four years explained, “As an organization that focuses on children, there is one goal that we are looking to achieve…to raise awareness of the many ways people can get involved in the fight against child abuse:  First, we can get educated, so you can learn to recognize the signs of child abuse, so you can be that one person with courage to step up for these children and report abuse when you suspect it.  Secondly, you can volunteer or support your child advocacy centers (Prevent Child Abuse-NJ ) by calling to determine how you can support them, because every children’s advocacy center can benefit from your support for their programs and services they provide to child victims of abuse and neglect.  And lastly, but most importantly we must help break the silence surrounding child abuse by raising awareness and spreading the word.  These children deserve a voice, because this problem has been overlooked for far too long and you can open the doors on this crime of secrecy, because we can all make a difference for these children.”

To learn more about what you can do to help prevent child abuse, contact Pamela Stalcup, Director of Development & Communications for Prevent Child Abuse-NJ at (732) 246-8060 or click here.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  It is not religious based or partisan in any way. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46.  We are 63 members strong and growing.  New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany).

Council passes resolution to support Murphy’s order to expand distribution points for medical marijuana

Frank L. Cahill
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Council passes resolution to support Murphy’s order to expand distribution points for medical marijuana

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted at the Tuesday, April 3 meeting to support Governor Murphy’s executive order No. 6, which expands distribution points for medical marijuana.  The Resolution (No. 2018:073) passed 3-2 with Carifi, McCarthy and Peterson voting in favor and dePierro and Gragnani voting against. To read a copy of Resolution 2018:073, click here.

Councilwoman Emily Peterson

Councilwoman Emily Peterson stated “With this vote, Council President Carifi, Vice President McCarthy and I showed in deed our support of the many residents and neighbors who shared their very personal experiences with pain and access. They asked for compassion and our commitment to the idea that we can treat medical cannabis separately from decriminalization. The three “yes” votes did just that and I am honored to share Governor Murphy’s compassionate approach with the residents of Parsippany who need it most of all.”

More than 25 people came out to speak up on the issue, many in favor of Parsippany being a potential location for a medical marijuana dispensary, which Murphy’s order would allow. Most of the speakers were not Parsippany residents.

Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.,

“I voted in support of the medical marijuana resolution because it has been medically documented that it assists in pain relief for people suffering from a number of things including cancer and other serious ailments. I am totally against recreational use of  marijuana. When it comes to it being used for medical reasons and it’s going to provide relief to people that are seriously ill and suffering and it is administered properly,  I don’t know why anyone would not support that,” said Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.

Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani asked to table the motion calling for a vote, to allow more time for consideration, but her request to table was denied 3-2. (Gragnani and dePierro voted to table the resolution).

In Governor Murphy’s Executive order it states “the need for medical marijuana in New Jersey currently far exceeds the supply that the existing licensed Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) in operation are able to provide … one study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center found that the annual number of deaths from prescription drug overdose is 25 percent lower in states where medical marijuana is legal than in states where it is illegal.”

For a complete copy of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order, click here.

The resolution states “The Township Council further supports the location of ATCs in appropriate locations to serve the residents of Parsippany-Troy Hills and the surrounding area and to allow qualifying patients greater access to medical marijuana; and The Township Council will review its zoning ordinances to consider appropriate locations for ATCs within the Township that will not conflict with certain protected uses including but not limited to schools, churches, parks, etc. as well as any other applicable ordinances in order to regulate ATCs in a manner that will promote and protect the public health safety and welfare.”

Currently there are no locations zoned for Alternate Treatment Centers in Parsippany.

A request was sent to Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani and Councilman Michael dePierro for comment, but when the story was published they didn’t respond.

Video credit: My Minute Minute, For additional information click here.

Brooke Steele inducted into CCU chapter of Phi Eta Sigma

Frank L. Cahill
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Brooke Steele inducted into CCU chapter of Phi Eta Sigma

PARSIPPANY — Brooke Steele, a sociology major from Lake Hiawatha, was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society for freshmen, on Tuesday, April 3, in the Johnson Auditorium at Coastal Carolina University. She is a 2017 graduate of Parsippany High School.

Phi Eta Sigma is a presigious national honor society that inducts first-year students after they have completed one full semester of college with outstanding academic performance. To be eligible, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA.

The society is chartered on 378 different college campuses across the nation, and was founded in 1923. This year’s ceremony inducted 135 new members.

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Coastal Carolina University offers baccalaureate degrees in 74 major fields of study. Among CCU’s 21 graduate-level programs are 18 master’s degrees, two educational specialist degrees, and the Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science. The most popular undergraduate majors are marine science, management, exercise and sport science, communication and psychology. CCU boasts a growing array of internship, research and international opportunities for students, as well as numerous online programs through Coastal Online.

More than 10,600 students from across the country and around the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 160 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

For more information click here.

United Way Announces Enhanced Features for Free Online Tax Filing Tool

Frank L. Cahill
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United Way Announces Enhanced Features for Free Online Tax Filing Tool

MORRIS COUNTY — With the end of tax season quickly approaching, there’s good news for area residents who still haven’t filed. MyFreeTaxes.com has enhanced features that allows most filers to complete their taxes in under one hour United Way of Northern New Jersey announced.

MyFreeTaxes.com is a safe, easy and free way for individuals or families earning less than $66,000 to file their federal and state taxes. For filers earning more than $66,000, some fees may apply.

For the past nine years, United Ways across the country have partnered with H&R Block to provide free tax filing services for federal and state taxes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Since that time, this partnership has helped nearly a million people file their returns, bringing more than $1 billion in refunds back to local communities.

“Tax season is a source of confusion and stress for most Americans,” United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO John Franklin said. “Many are worried they’ll make a mistake, won’t get their full refund or will pay too much. With MyFreeTaxes.com, filers can get support from IRS-certified specialists and cut down the time it takes to complete their returns.”

MyFreeTaxes.com users get access to an H&R Block premium product with enhanced features to ensure filers get every dollar they deserve:

  • Ability to upload image of your W-2, allowing MyFreeTaxes.com to automatically fill in your information;
  • Free, unlimited, personalized real-time chat and phone support in English and Spanish from IRS-certified specialists at 1-855-MY-TX-HELP;
  • Refund RevealTM shows filers how and why their refund amount is changing in real time; and
  • Advanced functionality for those working in the gig economy.

Taxpayers earning less than $66,000 can enter their data through MyFreeTaxes.com, which links to a secure H&R Block website, making it easy to complete their taxes from home, at work or on mobile devices.

Along with MyFreeTaxes.com, area residents living paycheck to paycheck also have the option of free in-person tax preparation. United Way of Northern New Jersey, in conjunction with NORWESCAP RSVP, Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Partners for Health Foundation, Single Stop and the IRS, offers a free tax preparation program at more than 20 sites throughout its five-county region. Residents meet one-on-one with IRS-certified volunteers who prepare and file both state and federal returns for free.

This free service is designed to help the 37 percent of New Jersey households identified by the United Way ALICE Report as living below the ALICE Threshold – living paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford necessities. For local individuals and families who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty, the free tax preparation program allows them to receive the credits and refunds they’ve earned while saving them the average $270 fee paid tax preparers charge.

Last year, United Way and its partners made it possible for nearly 5,500 households to file their taxes for free, refunding nearly $6.2 million and saving residents more than $1 million in tax preparation costs.

United Way in-person tax preparation sites are open in Morris, Somerset, Suburban Essex, Sussex and Warren counties. To make an appointment at a free tax site or to find out more information about MyFreeTaxes.com, visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org/FreeTaxPrep.

United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization working to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities by focusing on Education, Income, and Health.  These are the building blocks for a good life – a quality education that leads to a stable job; the tools needed to achieve financial stability; and good health.  We lead caring communities to create long-lasting changes that transform people’s lives.  Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. United Way of Northern New Jersey serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County, including the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Millburn-Short Hills, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona.  Give.  Advocate.  Volunteer.  LIVE UNITED.  To learn more, call 973.993.1160 or visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org.

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a global consumer tax services provider. Tax return preparation services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 12,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide, and through H&R Block tax software products for the DIY consumer. H&R Block also offers adjacent Tax Plus products and services. In fiscal 2016, H&R Block had annual revenues of over $3 billion with 23.2 million tax returns prepared worldwide. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom.

 

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Observed throughout New Jersey

Frank L. Cahill
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National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Observed throughout New Jersey

MORRIS COUNTY — Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been celebrated every year in April.  It is a time of national remembrance and is dedicated to educating the public about victimization, the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends and the community, and to promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime.

This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week begins on Sunday, April 8, and ends on Saturday, April 14, and the theme is “Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims”. The theme addresses how professionals who work with crime victims can better ensure that every victim has access to services and support, as well as how these professionals can partner with the local community and organizations to ensure that all victims are taken care of.

On Wedneday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m, the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders will present a Proclamation to Prosecutor Fredric Knapp on behalf of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in honor and recognition of 2018 Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This presentation will be held at the Borough Hall/Hartley Dodge Memorial Building in Madison, during the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders Public Meeting.

For the first time, the New Jersey Victim Witness Coordinators’ Association, which is a statewide committee comprised of the Victim Witness Coordinator from each of New Jersey’s twenty one counties, has partnered with the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey to sponsor a statewide speaker series on sexual assault for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

They are hosting their Northern New Jersey events, on Thursday, April 12. It will begin that morning at Kean University in the STEM Building from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and continue at Montclair State University’s Memorial Auditorium from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Central New Jersey morning session will be on Friday, April 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m  at the Monmouth University Pollack Theatre, and the afternoon session will be hosted by the Middlesex County Fire Academy from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Southern New Jersey will hold their presentation on Wednesday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the George P. Luciano Family Center at Cumberland County College. The keynote speaker for these programs, is Jeffrey Bucholtz, the Director of the California based agency, We End Violence. His program is titled “Get Real about Sex, Consent, & Violence”. Bucholtz, who is the outgoing president of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, has worked for the past sixteen years as an activist, organizer, and public speaker in the fields of domestic violence and violence prevention.

“I am proud that as President of the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey we are providing these important programs recognizing the rights of crime victims. New Jersey has been at the forefront from the inception of recognizing the rights of survivors and their families,” said Prosecutor Knapp.

All are invited to join the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at these Northern New Jersey events commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. For more information or to RSVP for the Northern New Jersey programs, contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Unit at (973) 285-6210 or e-mail MorrisVW@co.morris.nj.us.

For questions concerning the Southern New Jersey program contact Rita Carr-Volpe at (856) 453-0486 x11157 and for more information on the Central New Jersey programs contact Nancy Frankie at (732) 431-6459.

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