Councilwoman McCarthy and Peterson drafting a resolution to investigation public utilities

Frank L. Cahill
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Councilwoman McCarthy and Peterson drafting a resolution to investigation public utilities

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilwoman Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson spent the last week working with the Mayor Michael Soriano administration to get streets plowed and power restored to our residents as quickly as possible.

As we move towards the next township council meeting, we are drafting a resolution supporting the Phil Murphy administration’s investigation into NJ public utility companies and requesting that Parsippany be able to participate fully in those investigations and the public hearings that will be held.

The fact that so many of our residents were (and in some cases remain) without power for several days is unacceptable and we look forward to working with other communities to make sure we have a more robust and effective storm response.

John Murphy leads Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Frank L. Cahill
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John Murphy leads Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

MORRIS COUNTY — Although the weather was chilly and crowds were thinner than usual, it was a great, great day for the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade route extended from Town Hall on South Street, around the Morristown Green, to Morristown High School on Atno Avenue.

This year the Grand Marshall was John Murphy was born and raised in Morris County. In his early years, John grew up in a section of Morristown called Little Dublin which is in the shadow of Assumption Church, the parish his family belongs to today. His parents, Michael and Bridget, were both born and raised in Ireland. His father hails from County Kerry and his mother from County Clare. After independently immigrating to the United States as young adults, Mike and Bridie met in New York City and decided upon their marriage to make Morristown their home.

Grand Marshall John Murphy and wife Jennifer

In 1997, John was elected to the Morris County Freeholder Board (county commissioner) where he served for 15 years.

He joined the Morris Township Volunteer Fire Department in 1982, where he is still one of its most active members.

John has received numerous Leadership and Achievement Awards from organizations including the first Alex DeCroce Leadership Award by Governor Christie in 2012.

He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Morris Township with their four children. John is a Financial Advisor at Private Advisor Group in Morristown.

Brief History of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

St. Patrick was born in Wales, when it was part of the Roman Empire. He was kidnapped at about age 15, sold as a slave and taken as a slave to Ireland. There he learned to pray to God and experienced a conversion. After a time he escaped to France. Having loved the Irish people, he returned to Ireland as a missionary, the first Bishop of Ireland, around 432.

20 years later, most of the Irish were Catholic. There is much reverence and honor for St. Patrick as the Patron of Ireland to this day. He is very much a part of true Irish Culture today.

March 17, 1780 – After the long hard winter of 1779-1780 in Jockey Hollow, Morristown NJ, George Washington, in recognition of the support of his Irish militiamen, and there were plenty of them, gave them the day off and thus began the first St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in the United States. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade then was in Morris County occurred in 1780:

    • March 17, 1979, thanks to the Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey (IAANJ), the first official modern day Morris County St. Patrick’s in Morris County, was held in Wharton, NJ. Parade marchers paraded down a one mile stretch of Main Street, Wharton, to the cheers of hundreds of spectators.
    • In 1981, while on a trip to Ireland, the president of IAANJ commissioned the nuns of the Carmelite Monastery, Tallow, County Waterford, Ireland to produce a hand-painted banner of St. Patrick and this exquisite work of art has led all Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parades since then.
    • From 1979 through 1990, the parade became larger and larger as it grew in popularity. More and more groups joined the parade and more and more spectators came out to enjoy it. By 1983, there were 48 units in the parade.
    • By 1988, there were 56 units in the parade with over 1500 marchers and over 4000 spectators.
    • In 1990, the parade in Wharton had its largest parade with greatest number of spectators ever marching down Main Street, It was clear that the parade had outgrown Wharton, a small and gracious community that hosted the Parade.
    • In November 1990, IAANJ teamed up with the Friendly Sons of St Patrick (FSSP) of Morris County and began working with the Morristown administration to bring the parade to Morristown. It was a perfect place for the parade. It is the county seat; has a terrific and safe environment for a fun-filled family day for all residents of Morris County to enjoy; has adequate parking for parade participants and spectators; plus, Morristown has a rich history in Irish culture going back to the Revolutionary War.
    • January 18, 1991, a Certificate of Incorporation for Non-Profit Organization, was issued for St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Morris County, Inc., and a Board of Trustees was formed for the new non-profit organization. It was formed to run the parade, to pay parade expenses, and most importantly, to provide charitable contributions to promote Irish culture and support various local children’s and other organizations that benefit Morris County.
    • March 16, 1991, the annual Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off in Morristown for the first time with 3000 marchers, 13 bands and several floats and fire companies. There were thousands of spectators there to enjoy the day. It was a great day for everyone and has been ever since.
    • From 1991 though 2014, the parade has grown to over 120 diverse groups, including over 20 bands, with over 4000 marchers with 50,000 to 80,000 spectators enjoying the Parade each year depending on weather.
    • In 2000, the Morris County Parade history was submitted by Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen to the Library of Congress and was. featured in the Library of Congress Local Legacy Program, a high honor and tribute to the efforts of parade organizers and volunteers. Our parade got national recognition. Today, it takes over 75 volunteers puttiing in in excess of 2500 hours each year to put on the Parade.
    • In 2006, to accommodate the parade’s growth in size and popularity the Parade route was extended three blocks by going around the Green instead of just passing through it.
    • Since 1991, the Parade has voluntarily donated over $250,000 to the Town of Morristown as part of the Parade’s good neighbor policy to keep the parade from costing taxpayers anything.
    • Since 1991, the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Inc. has donated almost $350,000 to local charitable organizations in keeping with the mission of our Non-Profit organization.
    • Since 1991 Parade Day has begun with Mass at Assumption Church at 10:00 a.m. The Mass is a special celebration of Irish Culture in honor of St. Patrick.
    • In 2012, the Parade added Pre-Parade events to entertain spectators around the Green while waiting for the Parade to start.

District 5 serves up Corned Beef at 19th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

Frank L. Cahill
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District 5 serves up Corned Beef at 19th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

PARSIPPANY – District 5 served up Corned Beef and Cabbage at its 19th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, March 10 at the Old Bloomfield Avenue firehouse.

The annual event attracted many residents, firemen, politicians and friends who enjoyed a delicious cooked corned beef, cabbage, boiled potatoes and carrots. There were even hot dogs for the kids, as well as cake and cookies.

Registration open for Youth Roller Hockey and Street Hockey

Frank L. Cahill
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Registration open for Youth Roller Hockey and Street Hockey

PARSIPPANY — Registration is now for Parsippany’s Youth Roller Hockey and Street Hockey Program. Residents and nonresidents are welcomed to join! Cost is $50.00 per child. Street Hockey is for first to third grade, and Roller Hockey is for third to ninth grade.

To register online, click here.

Register in person is available at One Knoll Drive, Lake Hiawatha or at Central Middle School on Tuesday, March 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For questions click here to email.

Don’t forget to clean around your fire hydrants

Frank L. Cahill
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Don’t forget to clean around your fire hydrants

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills got an estimated 22 inches of snow this week. Numerous power lines and trees down all over the roads, the last thing our volunteer firemen need to do is try to dig out a fire hydrant when there’s an emergency. Please help our volunteers and dig out your fire hydrants. While it may not seem like an issue, when you think about all of the trees and power lines that may affect us, the last thing the firemen need to worry about is being able to access a hydrant.

This small task that you do can help out so much in the event of an emergency.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Ordinance 169:16c states: The owner, tenant or occupant of any lands upon which a fire hydrant is located or the owner, tenant or occupant of any lands abutting the sidewalk upon which a fire hydrant is located shall be responsible for keeping the fire hydrant clear of any obstructions.

Law Enforcement Night to be held on March 16

Frank L. Cahill
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Law Enforcement Night to be held on March 16

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris Area Coalition for Education and Positive Choices is rapidly becoming a household name in Morris County.  Word is spreading about the many initiatives being instituted by this unique, powerful group that provides the community with facts and information in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. Everyone is quickly realizing the benefit to families when they sign-on. The importance of introducing kids to new activities and promoting substance-free events that keep them occupied (such as sports, exercise, career days, teen dances and activities with law enforcement) is of paramount concern when it provides ways to uphold a child’s self-esteem.  The Coalition is a proactive team comprised of elected officials, law enforcement, educational leaders and concerned citizens who are up to date on the latest crazes and abuses that are plaguing our children.

Law Enforcement Night will be held on March 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Mennen Arena, 161 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown.

Please join officers and police departments from all over the state at the Coalition’s Second Annual Law Enforcement Night.  It is at this event that youngsters get to see firsthand how law enforcement officers are positive influences in our community.  Law Enforcement Night has been known to further develop these relationships often providing career opportunities for teens who might not have ever considered such a path.

The equipment on display at this event is known to even awe adults.  Never will one see such an array of machinery like this at one location.  Kids are able to ride the horses provided by the Park Police, see the Morris County Hope Van, jump in helicopters, ambulances, emergency vehicles of every shape and size, wear riot gear, try on handcuffs and comingle with the law enforcement community in a fun atmosphere.

The important aspect to remember here is that law enforcement is trained to make these kids feel safe and important.  Confidence and self-esteem go a long way in helping a child say no to his peers when the time arises.

 

Loyal Attendees Weather the Storm in Support of Homeless Solutions’ Dream Builders’ Bash

Frank L. Cahill
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Loyal Attendees Weather the Storm in Support of Homeless Solutions’ Dream Builders’ Bash

MORRISTOWN — Attendees were wind-blown and snow covered as they arrived at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown on Friday, March 2.  Over 200 guests weathered the storm to attend Homeless Solutions 18th Annual Dream Builders’ Bash. Despite the nor’easter guests filled the ballroom for an evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing.  They enjoyed participating in the Wine Pull, Raffle, and Silent & Live Auctions allowing them to further support HSI. 

This year the Bash was themed Riding Home Together, representing Dream Builder Award Honorees, Gran Fondo NJ (GFNJ) founders Marty Epstein of Marty’s Reliable Cycle and Bill Ruddick, GFNJ Director.  Seven years ago they created the GFNJ to give back to their local community. “We love to support Morristown, we love to support our community, that’s why we do this,” Marty Epstein said during his acceptance speech. “You are a great organization and inspire us to keep doing this.  We are beyond honored to be your award recipients tonight,” stated Bill Ruddick.

Lisa & Gary Pancoast

Longtime Homeless Solutions volunteer and Parsippany resident Diane Martin received the Mary E. Van Kirk Volunteer Spirit Award.  Diane is a superstar volunteer and someone HSI can rely on no matter the task.  She is a regular cook at the shelter and helps in so many other ways from painting rooms at the shelter, stuffing envelopes, to leading the HSI Gran Fondo rest stop in Chester. 

Before the evening came to a close, guests heard from former HSI Transitional Housing Program participant, Rebecca. She shared her emotional journey and the fairy tale life she feels she is living today. With the help of Homeless Solutions, Rebecca says she was empowered to take charge of all aspects her life. She is now on her way to purchasing her own home. She took time to thank donors and volunteers, “Because of your generosity and support my life is forever changed.” Rebecca was surprised by her 19-year-old daughter who delivered her flowers at the end of her speech. An emotional moment everyone enjoyed.

Homeless Solutions CEO Dan McGuire said, “I was deeply moved to see so many people in attendance despite the storm. We are truly fortunate to have such dedicated and loyal supporters.  Many people remarked that the awful weather and power outages were a stark reminder of how the event helps to keep our community’s homeless safe and warm every day.”   

The Dream Builders’ Bash is Homeless Solutions, Inc. (HSI) signature fundraising event. It is a dinner/dance, that brings together attendees from Morris and Somerset County to raise funds for HSI shelter programs. It has sold out for the last four years in a row.

Homeless Solutions, Inc. (HSI) is a private, non-profit organization with 35 years of experience in meeting the needs of those affected by homelessness in Morris County. Our philosophy is, “a Hand Up, not a Handout”.  There are many ways we work to accomplish our mission to offer shelter, services, and supportive housing to homeless and low-income people.  HSI runs four shelter programs and a Transitional Housing Program to help guests develop the skills to successfully return to independent living.  We also operate the Mt. Kemble Home for Senior Women of limited means and develop and manage Affordable Housing throughout Morris County. For more information click here.

Goddard School celebrates 10th Anniversary with Dr. Seuss

Frank L. Cahill
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Goddard School celebrates 10th Anniversary with Dr. Seuss

PARSIPPANY — The Goddard School celebrated its 10th Anniversary, along with Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Saturday, March 3.

There was a special appearance from “Cat In The Hat.”

Mayor Michael Soriano read “Oh, the Thinks You can Think” to the children, and then Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer William Stone read “Green Eggs and Ham.”

To prepare for Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Goddard School hosted their second annual book drive to support Bridge of Books Foundation.

There were plenty of raffle drawings for the children along with entertainment by Annie B.

Annie B is an interactive musical experience! In a moment she had children become fabulous farm animals, play musical games, and reach for their ‘Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes’. Children sing and dance along to kids’ classic favorites and to Annie’s original songs.

The Goddard School is located at 311 Smith Road.

The Goddard School is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Annie B “Live Guitar Entertainment for Kids”
Parsippany-Troy Hills Officer William Stone was reading “Green Eggs and Ham” to the children
Officer William Stone with the Cat in the Hat
Officer William Stone greeting the children
The children was playing “Pin the Hat on the Cat”
Mayor Michael Soriano reading “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!” by Dr. Seuss to the children
Mayor Michael Soriano reading “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!” by Dr. Seuss to the children
Mayor Michael Soriano with “The Cat In the Hat”
Thing 1 (also known as Charlotte Inauen, 8) and Thing 2 (also known as Vivian Inauen, 3)
Umer, 9, “Stack The Cats Hat”
To prepare for Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Goddard School hosted their second annual book drive to support Bridge of Books Foundation
Goddard School owners Sushama and Ravi Patil with “Cat In The Hat”
Goddard School is celebrating 10 years in Parsippany

Storm update: Power outages; roads closed; warming and charging stations

Frank L. Cahill
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Storm update: Power outages; roads closed; warming and charging stations

PARSIPPANY — JCP&L has approximately 78,232 outages in New Jersey to repair. Out of that total, 4,255 are Parsippany customers.

Please know they are working 16 hour long shifts to get the power restored as soon as possible. If you encounter linemen or their trucks parked and appear not to be working, please realize they need short breaks and sleep to safely do their jobs.

Here is a list of partially or fully blocked roads throughout Parsippany, along with downed or low hanging utility lines. We currently have 12 fully blocked roads, along with numerous others that partially one lane is passable. Everyone is working as quickly as possible to clear the roads.

Current highly travelled roads that are blocked:
• South Beverwyck Road between Bee Meadow Parkway and Reynolds Avenue
• Park Road between DeHart Drive and Geoffrey Drive
• North Beverwyck Road between Vail Road and Farrand Drive
• Jefferson Road between Parsippany Road and East Halsey Road
• East Halsey Road at Jefferson Road (access to office buildings from Parsippany Road on East Halsey only)
• East Halsey Road going west toward Route 287 can only make a right on to Jefferson Road which brings you to Smith Road

If you need to report a tree down, call the Mayor’s Action Center (973) 263-4262. If you need to report a power outage, please call JCP&L at (888) 544-4877.

The Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road, is currently open as a warming and charging center.  It will be open until at least 9:00 p.m.

The Parsippany Community Center, 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha is now open as a warming and charging center.  It will be open to at least 5:00 p.m. we are currently expecting to extend those hours.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Library, 449 Halsey Road, is open until 5:00 p.m.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Library, Mt. Tabor Branch, 26 Simpson Avenue, is open until 1:00 p.m.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Library, Lake Hiawatha Branch, 68 Nokomis Avenue, is open until 5:00 p.m.

Parsippany Buffalo Wild Wings, 1540 Route 46 is open as a warming and charging center. Please let them know when you arrive and they will serve complimentary soft drinks. They are open until 2:00 a.m.

 

DeCroce among lawmakers called Murphy to send in the National Guard

Frank L. Cahill
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DeCroce among lawmakers called Murphy to send in the National Guard

PARSIPPANY — Three Republican lawmakers called on Governor Phil Murphy to send in the National Guard to help local communities recover. Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney, and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips questioned Murphy’s slow response to two recent nor’easters that left thousands without power and hundreds of stranded vehicles on North Jersey roadways.

“There is great concern from municipal officials with roadways shutdown and continued power outages across Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties since Friday,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). The administration needs to provide greater resources to the municipalities in helping get residents out of their homes and into warming centers.

Morris County OEM Center has been staffed around the clock since the first storm on Friday, March 2.  They have been coordinating efforts with JCP&L to assist vital situations immediately and ensure the safety of Morris County residents.

“Governor Murphy should have mobilized the National Guard to help local officials deal with these destructive storms,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “Thousands of North Jersey residents remained in the dark and cold even as yesterday’s nor’easter was bearing down on them.”

Upon meeting with the JCP&L workers staged at CCM on Wednesday, March 7, the Governor did not provide outage numbers for Morris County.  Freeholder Heather Darling attended the meeting with JCP&L workers, thanking crews from Kentucky, Florida, Pennsylvania and other areas who were being dispatched to assist JCP&L crews already working to restore power to Morris County residents.  Darling explained to workers that, with 70,000 outages from last week’s storm and approximately 10,000 still without power, additional anticipated outages from Wednesday’s storm further delaying restoration were more than some families in Morris County could withstand.  Outages were around 60,000 after Wednesday’s storm.

Rooney noted there were some 500 to 600 stranded vehicles blocking roadways in North Jersey last night and, as of this morning, more than 243,000 households have no power.

“Clearly JCP&L isn’t equipped to handle these outages,” continued Rooney. “With a possible third storm on the near horizon, the governor’s failure to activate the National Guard is troubling.

The National Weather Service says another storm is possible next week, making it the third coastal storm in 10 days.

Currently JCP&L, with over 2,000 workers, cannot access all the neighborhoods they need to get into,” DeCroce continued “The governor needs to strongly consider sending out members from the National Guard to help assist the communities. We need to address the current needs in the event another storm hits us possibly on Monday.”

DeCroce said a pileup on Route 10 yesterday left people stranded in their vehicles for hours.

A dump truck overturned on Route 10 Wednesday evening, making the road impassable.  The Morris County Sheriff’s Office assisted by providing blankets and water and rescuing those in need of immediate help.  The scene was quickly cleared in spite of the strong wind and snow conditions.

Resources that would have been used to help plow Routes 46, 80 and 287 were sent instead to deal with the accident.

“Storm response requires tenacious and persistent follow through from the administration,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “We have had two destructive and deadly storms in five days- and a third is on the horizon.”

“The administration can, and must, provide all available resources to the utilities and municipalities in our area so clean-up and power restoration can occur rapidly before another deadly storm hits us,” concluded DePhillips.

More than 320,000 homes and businesses lost power during the storm’s height. Friday’s nor’easter left 300,000 New Jerseyans without power. Areas of North Jersey received up to two feet of snow from yesterday’s storm.

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