Soon after leaving her native California and settling in New Jersey, playwright Nikkole Salter noticed something unusual about her new home state: the abundance of strange-sounding place names. “Weehawken, Hoboken, I thought maybe they were Eastern European or something,” the Obie Award-winning actress and writer recalled in an interview with NJ Advance Media. “Then I found…
New play takes on Parsippany High’s controversial mascot name change
Top 6 finishers for each weight at the 2017 Morris County Wrestling Tournament
Below are the top six finishers in each weight class from the Morris County Tournament. The two-day tournament was held Friday and Saturday at Mount Olive High School. For full coverage from the tournament, follow this link and for results from the third- and fifth-place matches, follow this link. 106 1-Anthony Clark, Delbarton 2-Dom DiGena, Mendham…
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Morris County
MORRIS COUNTY — At the their meeting on Wednesday, January 25, the Morris County Freeholders proclaimed January 2017 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The objective of Human Trafficking Awareness Month is to educate county residents about human trafficking, and to ask them to be cognizant of the same to assist law enforcement rescue victims of this crime.
Human trafficking typically targets vulnerable women and non-English speaking people. There are two types of trafficking, Sex Trafficking and Labor Trafficking. Sex Trafficking results in adult and child victims being subject to commercial sex against their will, while Labor Trafficking occurs when the victim is compelled to work or provide services against their will. Force, coercion or fraud are the common methods used by traffickers to control their victims.
In recognition of this public awareness campaign, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, as well as Human Trafficking Coordinators, Assistant Prosecutor Laura Magnone and Detective Supervisor Marshall Wang of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit, were present during the issuance of the proclamation by the Freeholders.
“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has aggressively investigated and prosecuted several human trafficking cases under my tenure and will continue to do so,” said Prosecutor Knapp. “Working with the Coalition against Human Trafficking we have sought to educate the public to report any suspected trafficking. By doing so, we can hopefully help those victimized by this scourge. ”
If anyone observes suspicious activity that may be Human Trafficking, please immediately report the situation to your local police department or to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.
Morristown Medical Center earns hospital award
MORRISTOWN — Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center in Summit, both part of Atlantic Health System, have been recognized with the 2017 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence from Healthgrades, a consumer resource for health information. The distinction places each medical center in the top five percent for clinical excellence among more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide.
This is Morristown Medical Center’s seventh consecutive time and Overlook Medical Center’s fourth consecutive time receiving the award.
“Choosing a hospital is one of the most important decisions a family can make, and the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence recognition from Healthgrades is additional confirmation that Atlantic Health System is committed to excellence in quality and safety,” said Trish O’Keefe, president, Morristown Medical Center.
“We are honored to be recognized among this elite group of health care providers,” said Alan Lieber, president of Overlook Medical Center. “Clinical excellence, combined with patient-centered care, is key to the positive experience that Atlantic Health System provides to patients and caregivers.”
“Consumers are doing their research when it comes to selecting the hospital where they receive their care, and high-marks in quality are a valuable differentiator that can set organizations apart,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Healthgrades. “We commend hospitals that have achieved Healthgrades 2017 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to high quality care for their patients.”
From 2013 through 2015, patients treated in hospitals receiving Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence had a lower risk of dying (across 19 procedures and conditions where mortality is the clinical outcome), than if they were treated in hospitals that did not achieve this distinction.
During this same period, if all other hospitals performed at the level of Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence across these 19 procedures and conditions, 160,322 lives could potentially have been saved.
The 258 recipients of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ stand out among the rest for overall clinical excellence across a broad spectrum of care. During the 2017 study period covering the years 2013 to 2015, these hospitals showed superior performance in clinical outcomes for patients in the Medicare population across at least 21 of 32 of the most common inpatient conditions and procedures as measured by objective clinical outcomes performance data.
To learn more about how Healthgrades determines Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence recipients, click here.
Freeholders Proceed With Comprehensive Space Study For Morris County Government And State Courts
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders has hired a professional services consultant to study the long-term space needs of county government and the state court system in Morris County, with a continued focus on keeping those operations in downtown Morristown, which is the county government seat.
Dewberry-NJ Designers, working with Louis Berger U.S. Inc., will review those needs based on a 20-year growth projection. The evaluation would take into account the space needed by all of the state court and county government services located in downtown Morristown.
Much of the impetus for pursuing such an evaluation stems from the state judiciary space guidelines.
Importantly, any concepts that are developed must consider the changes needed to meet modern-day safety, security, technology, and accessibility to courts and government while preserving the historic integrity of the Morris County Courthouse complex and respecting the surrounding historic districts in Morristown.
“We must plan properly for the future of our county and court operations, to ensure that we have modern facilities that meet the needs of the 21st Century, with adequate space for future expansion,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.
“This also gives us an opportunity to make Morris County the judicial capital of North Jersey for decades to come, bringing in new jobs and services, and boosting the county’s economy,’’ said Freeholder John Cesaro, the board’s public works liaison.
The study should take about nine months at a cost of $371,000. A committee of key staff members, appointed by the County Administrator and Superior Court Assignment Judge, will lead this effort.
Currently, county government, the state courts, and related nonprofit organizations share space in the County Courthouse, the County Administration and Records Building, the Schuyler Annex, and satellite structures and parking facilities in the adjacent vicinity. Additional state court services are located in the Headquarters Plaza Building about one block away.
This analysis will provide a series of space utilization recommendations with accompanying cost estimates. It must include three key tenets:
- Core state courts and county government services must remain in downtown Morristown, the county seat.
- Uninterrupted continuation of county government and state court operations through implementation of the project is essential.
- Any recommendations must recognize the conservative spending policies of county government.
Private Swim Lessons at the Y for kids 3-13 years old
MOUNTAIN LAKES — If you would like the individual attention of one-on-one private swimming instruction with one of the Y’s top instructors, sign up for 30-minute Private Swim Lessons that will take place during the week of February 20-24 on Monday through Friday only at 4:00, 4:30, and 5:00 p.m.
Lessons are available for ages three (and potty trained) through age 13. Y membership is not required. Lessons are $20.00 per half-hour for members; non-members pay $35.00.
In person registration begins Monday, February 6 at 8:00 a.m. Limited spots available so sign up early. (Same instructors are not guaranteed.) Diving board lessons are not available. For more information, contact Aquatic Director, Ed Soder at (973) 334-2820, or email at eds@lhymca.com Parents of children with Special Needs should contact Ed prior to registering.
Lightning strikes at Pocono Dome Softball Tournament
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, January 21 there was a Lightning strike at the Pocono Dome in Sciota, PA. The 12U Parsippany Lightning won the 2017 12U softball tournament. They defeated the Warren Craze, Kaboom and the Edison Angels to win the title in exciting fashion.
They received outstanding pitching all day and timely hitting to bring home the title.
The team members are: Abigail Adams, Nikki Vecchia, Haley Belfiore, Sabrina Gong, Mykayla Swan, Carlee Urban, Carly Spiel, Laurie Bedore, Katie Dusko, Gabby Vazquez, Anna Lamperti, Jaclyn Tafro, Ashley Dana and Allison Paterno.
Northvail-Rockaway Meadow Students Visit the Post Office
PARSIPPANY — Northvail and Rockaway Meadow students got a special treat this week filled with fun facts about the Postal Service and how mail is delivered. Mrs. Perrone’s second grade ESL students from Northvail School visited the Lake Hiawatha Post Office. Mrs. Didimamoff’s first and second grade ESL students from Rockaway Meadow School also participated in the field trip.
Students were given a tour led by Postmaster, Paul Wells. At the post office, students followed letters from their point of entry into the building to their departure for delivery.
The experience showed students how the mail touches everyone’s lives everyday. Students also had fun browsing the collection of United States Postal Service’s commemorative stamps, honoring significant people, dates, historical events, and symbols in our nations’ history.
The tour ended by having each student mail a letter to their home address, so they can witness their post office in action. They left with a better understanding of how the local post office joins the community together and brings a valuable service to its residents.
Barberio Breaks Township Ordinances Elected to Enforce
PARSIPPANY — As reported in Parsippany Focus, on January 9, 2017, Retired Police Sergeant Eugene Natoli was hired by Parsippany-Troy Hills Township on December 19, 2016 at an annual salary of $50,000. The “Request for Personnel Action” report indicates he works in the “Administration Department” as a “Keyboarding Clerk 1.” The position is a full time, permanent position.
The salary ordinance for white-collar workers, specifically Keyboarding Clerk 1, Ordinance 2016:22, passed on second reading on August 16, 2016 states the salary is a minimum of $17,000 with a maximum of $48,000. He was hired at $2,000 more than the maximum amount allowed by Township Ordinance. It is evident that Mayor Barberio hired Mr. Natoli in clear violation of the law.
State Statute, 40:69A-40 states the duties of the Mayor shall enforce the charter and ordinances of the municipality and all general laws applicable thereto.
This is not the first time Mayor James Barberio violated the white collar salary ordinance.
In the past, Business Administrator Ellen Sandman was hired in 2014, with $15,000 over the maximum salary guideline. Mayor Barberio announced the hiring of Sandman, he revealed Sandman’s salary would be $140,000. Former Councilman Jonathan Nelson asked the Mayor in Public Session, “I don’t have the white collar salary ordinance in front of me but I believe this amount is over the salary cap,” The former CFO Joe Kovalcik stated that her pay was within the salary ordinance. Parsippany Focus filed an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for the salary ordinance for white-collar workers at that time.
The salary ordinance indicated the white-collar workers, specifically Business Administrator, Ordinance 2013:16, passed on June 13, 2013 states the salary was a minimum of $75,000 with a maximum of $125,000. She was hired at $15,000 more than the Ordinance allowed. It is evident that Mayor Barberio hired the new Business Administrator in clear violation of the law. (Click here to read article)
Shortly after Parsippany Focus published the story, the Mayor introduced Ordinance 2014:15 to the Council requesting a change in the salary ordinance for two positions. The Chief Financial Officer’s pay maximum was increased to $150,000 and the Business Administrator’s maximum pay was increased to $150,000. This ordinance was read on first reading, and voted 5-0. The second reading and final passage of the ordinance was read and voted 4-1 on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Council Vice President Robert Peluso voted against the salary change. That salary change was retroactive to January 1, 2014.
Parsippany Focus asked Mayor James Barberio for comment, but he hasn’t responded to our request. (Click here to read email request). There were issues sending the email to Mr. Barberio so we sent an email using the email system on parsippany.net. It seems that Parsippany Focus is blocked from sending emails to the Township.
County College of Morris holds program on identity theft
RANDOLPH The County College of Morris Department of Information Technologies held a seminar on how individuals can protect themselves against identity theft on Tuesday, January 24.
The seminar was free and open to the public and was a part of the national Data Privacy Day.
Seminar attendees will learn how to keep their personal information safe and protected in an interconnected world. With all the different ways people connect today, it is imperative to know where to find and how to check privacy settings to ensure that personal data is safe and secure.
This seminar was part of the “Stop. Think. Connect.” StaySafeOnline.org campaign, a national public awareness effort to convey that cyber security is a shared responsibility and each person has a part in keeping the Internet safe.
As part of that effort, the Center for Cyber Security at the county college hosted this event to help educate students, faculty, staff and the public on data privacy issues.
The County College of Morris is a leader in cyber security education in New Jersey and is the only community college in the state recognized as a certifying institution by the National Security Agency’s Committee on National Security Standards.
Click here for more information on the national Data Privacy Day campaign.