PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Paul Philipps, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon announce the arrest of Jamel Taylor, 33, Parsippany, for Endangering Welfare of Children, a second-degree crime.
On Wednesday, March 22 at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Parsippany Police Department received a 911 call from Jamel Taylor who reported that he was going to harm his children.
It was determined that Taylor was in a room at the Travelodge Inn, 625 Route 46. Upon arrival, Parsippany Police confirmed that Taylor was barricaded within the hotel room with his children. The Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) subsequently responded, gained entry, and arrested Taylor. There were no injuries reported as the result of the incident.
This incident remains under investigation, which is being conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Parsippany Police Department. Due to the status of the investigation, no additional information will be released at this time.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until he/she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a Court of law.
PARSIPPANY — The theme this year was “Taking a stand in History.” This past Saturday Central Middle School (CMS) students of the National History Club competed in the regional competition at Kean University. The group almost doubled in size this year and all 21 members competed! They have been working over the past few months analyzing primary sources and secondary sources in order to create poster board presentations and documentaries. They also had to complete a process paper and an annotated bibliography. The great news…three groups were chosen to continue to compete at the State level this May at William Paterson University.
The groups that will be going to the state level competition are:
Victoria Taco and Eileen Zhang – on their chosen topic of Theodora
Sumaiya Rehman, Esha Patel, and Laya Neelisetty on their chosen topic on Jhansi
Lakshmi Bhai, Ananya Vasireddy, Snigda Nadella, and Shreya Gadikota on their chosen topic of Indira Ghandi.
Lakshmi Bhai, Ananya Vasireddy, Snigda Nadella, and Shreya Gadikota on their chosen topic of Indira Ghandi
History Day is not just a day, it is an experience!
Special thanks to Maria Elisa Glatz for the photos and for all her hard work assisting students and proofreading all of their work!
PARSIPPANY — An incident at Travelodge Parsippany prompted a massive police response Wednesday morning. Numerous vehicles from several local agencies including the Parsippany Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office were at the Route 46 hotel around 9:45 a.m. Shortly before 10 a.m., many of the vehicles began to leave…
PARSIPPANY — Cubs Scouts from Pack 215 in Parsippany held their Annual Winter Indoor camping trip at America’s oldest zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo.
The overnight program hosted about 100 scouters and their families at the “Treehouse”, the Philadelphia Zoo’s magical, historical indoor playground which formerly housed the zoo’s giraffes. Pack 215 was by far the largest group with 30 attendees. The Scouts had an opportunity to interact with zoo keepers and staff, do a late-night hike, enjoy crafts and games, see a live animal show, and a guided tour the next day. They learned about the individual animals that call the zoo their home including some endangered species, as well as environmental and ecological topics. It all translated into a lot of fun and excitement!
Pack 215 of Parsippany serves boys from first through fifth grades, and delivers a provides a quality scouting program that is designed to provide your son and family with exciting experiences and memories that last a lifetime! Previous winter trips included camping at the Franklin Institute as well as the Battleship NJ. To learn more about Scouting and Pack 215, click here to visit their website or email: cubmaster@pack215.com
PARSIPPANY — Mayor James Barberio in a March 19, 2017 statement on his personal blog* “CAHILL/FOCUS WRONG AGAIN! MAYOR BARBERIO DID NOT VIOLATE SALARY ORDINANCE!” His answer on the blog is clearly a “Smoke Screen.”
He claims the use of misinformation doesn’t suddenly make it true either. The facts are in black-and-white. The facts are the facts. You decide.
An ordinance is a law or regulation made by a city or town government.
During numerous Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests, Parsippany Focus requested the following documents:
Eugene Natoli Request for Personnel Action (click here for complete document)
Ramona (Jackie) Ortiz Request for Personnel Action (click here for complete document)
White Collar Salary Ordinance (click here for complete document)
Eugene Natoli
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. (For complete story, click here)
Ramona (Jackie) Ortiz According to documents revealed through an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request Ramona (Jackie) Ortiz was hired effective December 5, 2016 as a Keyboarding Clerk I, at an annual salary of $54,000. 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. She was hired at $6,000 more than the maximum amount allowed by Township Ordinance. It is evident that Mayor Barberio hired Ms. Ortiz in clear violation of the law. (For complete story, click here).
Of course, Mr. Barberio states “The salary cap ordinance is a function of two factors, the first being civil service title requirements, raises and the like; and the second being the budget.” Mr. Barberio is correct. The employees were hired using Ordinance 2016:22. There is no 2017 Ordinance in effect. The employees should have been hired using the 2016:22 Ordinance. They were hired in 2016.
Barberio breaks Township Ordinances Elected to Enforce
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. In 2014 Parsippany Focus reportedBusiness Administrator Ellen Sandman was hired $15,000 over the maximum salary guideline. When 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 blog indicates it is “Paid for by the Friends of Jamie Barberio, P.O. Box 29, Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034” which is also his political fundraising organization.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Explorers held a pancake fundraiser at Applebee’s Grill & Bar, 1057 Route 46 on Saturday, March 11.
The Police Explorers program gives young adults an opportunity to “explore” a possible career in law enforcement by working and training with members of the Parsippany police force. The program emphasizes academics, character development and self-discipline as well as encouragement to give back to the community.
The Explorers invited the community to a breakfast of Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and a beverage choice including coffee, juice, soda and tea. The members of the Explorers were serving up the meals to the guests.
Dowd, Joe Jannarone, Jr., and Explorer Ricky Landy
Ciana Leal serving the breakfast to the guests
Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Lt. Brian Dowd and Council Candidate Casey Parik
Council Candidate Brian Stanton and Police Explorer member Eric Courtney
Police Explorer member Eric Courtney with Karen DeChristopher
Andrea Potesty, Brian Brisson, Toni Brisson, Christopher Brisson, Bella Brisson and Brant Brisson
The Parsippany Explorers
Caleigh Snyder pours the coffee for the patrons
Zoning Board Vice Chairman Nancy Snyder and Resident Nicolas Limanov
Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps with Freeholder Candidate Heather Darling
Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps with Explorer Michael Haggerty
The Cogan Family: Elizabeth, Marissa, Alison and Justin
Applebee’s Grill & Bar brings together a lively bar & grill experience offering hand-crafted drinks and craveable, simple, American food with flare featuring vibrant flavors and real, fresh ingredients. All Applebee’s restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to serving their communities and offering the best in food and drinks with neighborly, genuine service.
PARSIPPANY — NanoGurus, Team #4347, the flagship robotics team of NanoGurus Robotics, is in the midst of an extremely successful championship season.
The FIRST Tech Challenge is a competition where teams design, build, and program an autonomous and driver-operated robot that must perform a series of tasks in a short two and a half minute period. It is a sporting event like no other, and the hardest fun on the face of earth.
The team competed at the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania State Championships, winning the top and most prestigious award in New York, The Inspire Award, and the Winning Alliance in the Robotics Tournament in New Jersey, earning their spot at the FTC Super Regional in Scranton, Pennsylvania and they are now going to World Championship in April.
In addition to helping them learn the hard skills of building and programming, coaches Shikha and Anil Saxena have opened their home to instilling essential life skills such as organization, problem solving and teamwork in these young members. The NanoGurus are supported by generous sponsors and mentors and mark their tenth successful year of robots this season!
This year’s team members include Yash Patel and Sabarish Selvarajan, both seniors at Parsippany High School, Mayank Govilla and Sravan Jayanthi, sophomores at the Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering at Morris Hills High School, Siddarth Swaminathan, Parsippany Hills High School, rookie members Ria Balli is a freshman at The Academy of Mathematics Science and Engineering, and Jeffrey Zhang, an eighth grader at Briarhill Middle School.
Each year FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) announces a new FTC challenge an teams around the world design, build and program their robots to compete. Velocity Vortex, this year’s challenge calls for robots score points by claiming beacons, scoring balls into a five foot high goal, and lifting a large yoga ball up over seventy inches and capping it on the goal. This season has definitely proved itself to be an intense and thrilling journey for the NanoGurus. From failed designs to 3D printed custom pieces, the NanoGurus have built an extraordinary robot that can do a vast range of tasks. Members have been able to build and program awesome robots and showcase their work at their public outreaches and put their efforts to the test at rigorous competitions.
Team members share their competition experience as once in a lifetime. “The most exciting part of the entire experience is when we go to the competitions and see so many different ways to do the same thing. It isa lot of fun making friends with other teams, learn from them and contribute towards collective learning. This is my last year of FTC, I am going to miss FTC a lot when I go to college,” said Yash, who plans to major in Robotics Engineering.
Ria Balli commented, “I have learned to efficiently manage my time and think intricately. As a result of my participation in FTC, my definition of fun has changed from mindless activities to thinking and working hard!”
Siddharth said “One of the great things that come with FTC is the opportunity of being able to apply math and science that are being learned in school to something hand-on.”
Mayank Govilla commented, “I never thought I will be able to teach myself all the cool things I have been able to before I joined FTC. It is super exciting to be able to take charge of my own learning and see it tested on the robots!”
Mayank Govilla demonstrating how the game is played
The NanoGurus is always looking for new parent coaches and mentors to extend more students this fun learning FIRST experience! This season, the team established eight new FIRST Lego League teams, all of which are coached by parents, and mentored by experienced members of this flagship team. New teams start with a training session, followed by mentoring throughout the competition season.
Kavitha, mother of member Siddharth who also coaches a middle school FLL team said that “Coach Shikha takes extra efforts to bring out the best from the kids at the same time gives an opportunity to identify the limitations and improve upon them. Overall this is the place for the young minds to learn and develop important life skills and not limited to communication, organization, presentation skills to help them achieve their dreams and goals. We are proud to be part of Nanogurus.”
Mona Govilla, mother of Mayank remarked “Being an FTC parent for the last three years has opened new avenues in our minds as parents. It is exhilarating to see the kids work together as a team learning incredible and much needed life lessons.”
Mayank Govilla demonstrating how the game is played
All this cannot be done without the support of the community sponsors who take active interest in the development of their future workforce.
Evonik Industries has been the oldest sponsors of the NanoGurus and contribute greatly towards the sustainability of the team, making a huge impact on the competition robotics in the community.
Department of Defence has been sponsoring the team for a while and the team is very grateful to the opportunity to learn professional engineering practices from Thomas Shadis who is the Chief of the Directed Energy and Non-Lethal Branch at Picatinny Arsenal. The team recently had the rare chance to visit Picatinny’s Innovation Labs, Long Range Artillery, and the Additive Manufacturing facilities. Division.
The team is grateful for the kind contributions fromAgadia Systems, H2M Architects, CDMSmith, Subway, RxC International, Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala &Taylor Attorney at Law and Wing Zone.
Coach Shikha Saxena said, “We believe that our most important job as coaches is to encourage personal growth and development of each team member. The old saying “it needs a village to raise a child” holds true more than before and we are making that village for our children by constantly growing our robotics community in the Par-Troy school district and beyond. In addition to gain competency in robotics and technology, our goal is to help each of our team member become a problem solver who is caring, responsible, and a contributing member of the society.”
NanoGurus Robotics is a non profit organization serving the Par-Troy school district students, offering them a platform to develop passion in technology and robotics. Geared towards engaging k-12 students in using technology productively, the organization is completely run by volunteers who mentor and coach teams. Their motto “Building Robots. Building Character.” is guided by the NanoGurus philosophy of the Strength Based Model, helping the students learn to quantify both action-oriented and cognitive strengths such as hard work, organization, honesty, responsibility and such to understand the level of their own strengths and take charge of their own learning. The coaches open their homes for students as practice fields to prepare for competitions. Experienced members mentor new members and new coaches do not need knowledge of robotics. With requirements of documenting progress, holding public outreaches, development and execution of a business plan for sustainability, the activity is not limited to students interested in STEM.
Next step: The team is going to St. Louis Missouri for World Championship from April 25 to April 29.
PARSIPPANY — Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Co., Dist. #3 Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor its annual Atlantic City Bus Trip on Saturday, April 22, 2017.
The cost of the trip to Resorts Casino is $30.00. Guests receive $15.00 in slot play.
Bus leaves promptly at 8:00 a.m. from the Lake Parsippany Firehouse, 255 Halsey Road.
For additional information please call Barbara (973) 887-6809 or Jane (973) 887-5633.
Resorts Casino Hotel, a Mohegan Sun Property, boasts a prime location spanning 11 acres at the northern end of the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk, with 310 feet of Boardwalk frontage overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There are 942 guest rooms and suites in two hotel towers, an 83,016 square-foot casino, two theaters, six restaurants along with Quickbites Food Court with five eateries, two VIP player lounges, a casino bar, indoor-outdoor swimming pool, health club and spa, salon, and retail shops.
Gaming guests will find non-stop action in the 80,016 square-foot casino, where more than 70 table games and 1,574 slot machines are open 24 hours a day. Among the highlights:
Hollywood Hills High Limit Slot Area
Margaritaville-themed casino gaming space
Earn: through the resort’s partnership with Mohegan Gaming Advisors, comp dollars are also redeemable at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania.
Guests looking for a quick casual bite can visit, Quick Bites food court, conveniently located on the casino floor and features five eateries
Dunkin Donuts: An American favorite since 1950 for coffee an baked goods.
The Original Soup Man: Founded in 1984 by Al Yeganeh of New York City’s legendary Soup Kitchen International.
Ruby’s Diner: The premier 1940’s – style family restaurant, serving award winning burgers, salads, fountain treats and dinner specials.
Famous Famiglia Pizza: One of America’s fastest-growing pizza chains, specializing in authentic New York City-style pizza since 1986.
Haagen-Dazs: Super-premium ice cream world-renowned for its delicious density.
Breadsticks Cafe & Grill: Salads, burgers, sandwiches, grilled favorites, copper-oven specialties and breakfast, served with a world famous Boardwalk view.
Gallagher’s Burger Bar: A Big Apple classic, specializing in innovative appetizers, sandwiches, and burgers ground from Gallagher’s own dry-aged beef.
LandShark Bar & Grill: The only year-round full-service bar and restaurant on the sand side of the Boardwalk. Featuring nightly entertainment and inspired by the great “beach joints” that once dotted the Atlantic Coast, the venue features retractable walls to provide spectacular views fo the ocean and places guests in the center of the action on the beach and Boardwalk.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville: Weather guests are looking for a “cheeseburger in paradise” or a surf & turf meal, you’re sure to find it at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. Specializing in all sorts of seafood, the seasonal exterior deck on the Boardwalk will allow guests to enjoy alfresco dining or a drink topped off with a gentle ocean breeze.
The Parsippany United Methodist Church is pleased to again be hosting a Canticles of Life Benefit Concert on Saturday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first Canticles concert. Since then, over $131,000 has been raised for this music ministry. Presented by the nonprofit Triad Arts Ensemble, the concerts not only benefit three NJ organizations that support those impacted by HIV/AIDS, but they also raise awareness and help to shine God’s love through the compassion, talents and financial gifts of those attending and performing.
Canticles Chairperson Ginny Johnston will be conducting the 26-voice Triad Vocal Ensemble. They will feature a mix of styles including anthems, Broadway, and an inspiring new work, “I Choose Love” by NJ composer Mark Miller. Also performing will be singer/songwriter/ instrumentalists Margo Hennebach and Mark Saunders. The last time they appeared on the Canticles series was as two thirds of the international trio, Mad Agnes. Having just returned from an extended pilgrimage in Ireland, they’ll share their love of Celtic music, incorporate vocal improvisation as learned from Bobby McFerrin, and invite attendees to share their world through on-the-spot creations. And to round out the program will be the Dan Crisci Jazz Trio, offering several instrumental selections. Additionally, panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display and a reception will follow the performance. There will also be a time of reflection and sharing by representatives from the charities.
The concert will benefit: New Jersey AIDS Services based in Morristown, the NAMES Project of Northern NJ, which supports the AIDS Memorial Quilt; and the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children in Newark.
Tickets are no longer required to attend. A free-will offering will be accepted at the concert. You can also make tax-deductible contributions online ahead of time. Click here or talk to Pastor Jeff Edwards at (973) 887-4657 for more information. The church is located at 903 South Beverwyck Road.
PARSIPPANY — Centenary University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) is now in a new location in Parsippany. It is located at the Mack-Cali Professional Building at 7 Campus Drive. This facility offers more classroom and conference space than before, plus it houses a Social Media Center of Expertise. This Center, which is called #theVIBE, will launch a Social Media Marketing certificate program and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Social Media Marketing for adult professionals.
#theVIBE was first launched at Centenary University in Hackettstown in 2015 as a location where students can gain social media expertise and where businesses can leverage the knowledge of social media experts. The launch of this program was so successful that they have built a second Social Media Center at Centenary University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) in Parsippany.
“The program will help fill the gap we see today in analytic talent and appears to be on the forefront of instilling the skills colleges should be teaching,” says Kevin Hartman, Google Head of Analytics – Consumer Goods and Entertainment Sector.
Students studying Social Media Marketing will be immersed in social media by learning in a modern collaborative environment at #theVIBE, with its impressive touchscreen videowall streaming the latest social media data. This is a rapidly changing field and the program keeps students on the pulse of social media through interactive demos, customized video homework by social media experts, and hands-on use of industry social media listening software. Additionally, embedded in the courses are Google and Facebook certifications. This initiative will be managed by Kathy Naasz, Centenary’s Vice President for Innovation and Tim Guella, Social Media Director.
“The career opportunities in this field, in this part of the country, are massive,” says Naasz. “We can’t fill all the requests from companies looking for social media experts, so the move to Parsippany, to accelerate the training of working professionals who have interest in either expanding their skill set or making a career shift, is the next logical step. We have not even begun to market it and we already have 10 students in the first class in May.”
First established in 1999, Centenary University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) provides an entrepreneurial approach to the educational experience by offering professional studies to an adult population, allowing students to select the modality most conducive to their busy lifestyle. Students can take classes in a variety of formats: one-night-per-week, completely online or through a blended approach, which combines online and in class methods.
The curriculum combines theory and practical experience, allowing students to apply knowledge acquired immediately. Having conferred thousands of degrees, the School of Professional Studies serves as an inclusive and collaborative learning community dedicated to preparing adult students to progress further in society and to contribute directly to the state’s economic engine.
On Wednesday, March 22 at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Parsippany Police Department received a 911 call from Jamel Taylor who reported that he was going to harm his children.
