PARSIPPANY — Par-Troy East All-Stars Finished their season with big win against Mt. Arlington. This game was the end of their series.
Letter to the editor: Mr. Trump presents serious danger to the country
Dear Editor:
Like millions of Americans, the leadership and membership of the Morris County Democratic Committee has been shocked to watch the Republican Party nominate Donald Trump for President of the United States. While there have always been disagreements across the two sides of the aisle, we feel that Mr. Trump presents a clear and present danger to American democracy, prestige and civil discourse.
We are troubled by his suggestion that “2nd amendment people” not happy with a President Hillary Clinton appointing judges take matters into their own hands. We are troubled by his attacks on war heroes like John McCain, saying that he wasn’t a hero “because he was captured”. We are equally troubled by his attacks on a pair of Gold Star parents, whose son died stepping towards a suspicious vehicle in Iraq while telling others to step back. We are disgusted by his misogynist statements about women, and his comments about immigrants and minorities. We are deeply concerned about his suggestion that the military violate their own codes of conduct and engage in questionable activities, and are deeply concerned about his association with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
As such, given the serious danger that Mr. Trump presents to the country, we are calling on Republicans to put their country before their party.
Specifically, we are calling upon Morris County Republican Party Chairman John Sette to rescind his endorsement of Donald Trump.
Equally, we are calling upon Congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen and Leonard Lance, leaders in the Republican Party for decades, to put their country first and rescind their endorsements of Donald Trump. As a party that values openness and inclusiveness, the Morris County Democratic Committee would like to welcome any Republican elected official fed up with Trump and the GOP that supports him to join our party.
We know that there are several registered Republican elected officials across this county, simply seeking to make their communities better places to live, who have been told that they have to run as Republicans in order to win election. If the Republican Party does not support, or no longer supports, your values, then the Democratic Party can be a place you can call home.
Our membership is diverse, welcoming, and seeks to make Morris County a better, more inclusive place to live; and we are united in the belief that Donald Trump is a threat to our country. I encourage you to contact my Political Director if you are interested in leaving the Morris GOP behind.
Chip Robinson
Chair, Morris County Democratic Committee
The Library has many “Friends”
PARSIPPANY — Many of us know the lyrics to the song: ”You’ve got a Friend” but the Friends of the Parsippany Library proved that they really understand the meaning behind it!
Due to budget constraints, and the availability of electronic access, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library did not renew all of its newspaper subscriptions this year.
One example of a newspaper subscription that we did not renew is the New York Post. Soon the Librarians received complaints about not providing this newspaper subscription. It seems many people come into the Library on a daily basis to read this newspaper. One gentleman even thought that the Library had discontinued the publication for political reasons! This was far from true since the Library is very objective and is careful to include newspapers, magazines and books which portray the many sides of issues. When our Library Director told Pat Simon, the chairperson of the Book Nook and vice president of the Friends about this problem, she knew we were “down and troubled” so she and the Friends “lent a helping hand” and decided to pay the $275 so that this newspaper subscription could be renewed.
According to the subscription service, the New York Post should be back on the shelves within four to six weeks. And we hope our regular newspaper reading customers will come back too!
This subscription renewal is just one of many ways the Friends have shown their support for the Library and its two branches through the years.
The Friends have used money raised from book sales, the Book Nook, dine out fund raisers, their 30 club promotion and Friends memberships to pay for collections of books, dvds, playaways; to provide toys and books geared to children with autism; to sponsor children’s and adult programs with special presenters and speakers; and for Library equipment and furniture.
For example, the Friends have raised funds to sponsor: the stuffed animal sleepover; study and snack program; Zumba for kids; a juggling program; an adult program about FDR; a program for teens; a museum pass for the Yogi Berra museum which can also be used at Cooperstown; and special book collections such as test prep books; consumer health books and books about countries for kids; and book club in a bag kits. This year and every year, the Friends have provided financial support for the summer reading program, a 3 month incentive that is put in place to encourage the children, teens and adults of our community to read and use the Library.
Without the support of the Friends, the Library would be unable to provide all of these special services. The Friends of the Parsippany is a 501(C)3 volunteer organization.
If you are interested in paying membership dues to help support the initiatives of the Friends, visit the Library website by clicking here.
The Friends are also looking for people interested in giving back to the community. After years of service, some of our Friends leaders plan to retire from officer to member. So the Friends are seeking new officers.
If you are interested in applying to be an officer of the Friends, please email friendsofficers@parsippanylibrary.org.
Parsippany Dentist Linked to Bacterial Outbreak
PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany oral surgeon’s practices has been linked to fifteen cases of a bacterial infection of the heart called endocarditis over the last two years, including one case that lead to death due to surgery complications, Parsippany Focus has learned.
Dr. John Vecchione, who operates North Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery outpatient surgery clinics at 265 Baldwin Road and a office located in Mt. Olive, signed a consent decree to use best practices in sanitation with NJ Board of Dentistry after more than a dozen people had to get surgery after the rare outbreak of the bacteria.
The decree comes after a two-year investigation by the New Jersey Health Department and Dentistry Board into sanitation at Vecchione’s practice that began after Jefferson Township’s Ryan Del Grosso was diagnosed with with endocarditis about five weeks after having two wisdom teeth pulled.
A doctor treating Del Grosso, 25, at Morristown Medical Center remembered a similar case of the rare disease and notified state officials.
They twice ordered procedures changed, and one investigator later said the drawers in Vecchione’s practice “reminded me of the junk drawer you’d find in your kitchen if they had syringes and multi-dose vials.”
It was found that the facility’s infection prevention practices did not follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The NJHD determined that these violations of important safety procedures likely led to the spread of the infections.
Vecchione fully cooperated with the investigation, according to the decree, which didn’t find any causative link between the infections and conditions at the clinic. He also voluntarily agreed to make sanitation improvements immediately.
Ryan, meanwhile, underwent successful cardiac surgery. But he lost 30 percent of his hearing and has severe ringing in his ears.
He is suing, and says he cries “only when I talk about it,” adding “I certainly don’t sleep at night.”
His attorney, James Lynch, found a state Department of Health report outlining its investigation, but said he could only get it through a public records request.
Currently, the state doesn’t require reporting of single cases of endocarditis. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said there are no plans to change the reporting requirement at this time, despite the fifteen cases linked to this practice in 2013 and 2014.
One Hasbrouck Heights group of attorneys, the Lynch Law Firm, said they are pursuing a lawsuit against Vecchione on behalf of patients who suffered from an endocarditis infection after undergoing oral surgery.
“One person has died and 14 other patients of Dr. Vecchione’s have suffered from an endocarditis infection that have been associated with a variety of safety violations that occurred during their surgery,” according to the the firm’s website. (Click here to view website) “This type of infection can lead to life-threatening cardiovascular complications.”
The law firm asked people who have suffered from an endocarditis infection, or cardiovascular issues after undergoing surgery with Vecchione, to consider filing a legal claim because they may be entitled to compensation.
Endocarditis is an infection of the heart’s inner lining or valves, and typically occurs when bacteria from other parts of the body, such as your mouth, spread through the blood stream and settle in the heart.
Dr. Vecchione is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry. He completed a four year residency program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, a level 1 trauma center in New York where he received extensive training.
Dr. Vecchione is a member of American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, International Congress of Dental Implantology, American College of Oral Implantology, American Board of Dental Anesthesia and a fellow of American Dental Society of Anesthesia.
Lake Hiawatha Swim Team Supports “Laps for Lymphoma”
PARSIPPANY — The Lake Hiawatha Swim Team dedicated its entire hour-and-a-half practice session, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on July 14, to swimming laps in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Association.
Head Coach Bryana Cielo kicked off the event by explaining the illness to the children, and letting them know that their efforts could help local kids treat and beat their disease. The team rose to the challenge and energetically crossed their home pool at the Lake Hiawatha Swim Club 942 times. Assistant Coach, Marisa Otto, kept tally of swimmers’ individual laps.
Participants ranged in age from 5 to 51. Seventeen swimmers contributed to the group effort, including one parent, an assistant coach, and a sibling, who also jumped in for the cause.
Swimmers ranked by laps accomplished were: Alex Otto (122 laps), Darien Chea (90 laps), Enzo Vazquez (80 laps), Brooke Bierals (78 laps), Breyanne Cassimore (70 laps), Connor MacMahon (66 laps), Max Massefski (60 laps), Scott Massefski (60 laps), Ian Vazquez (58 laps), Sophia Massefski (50 laps), William Delaar (46 laps), Jorge Novoa (46 laps), Carina Maroldi (40 laps), Samantha Cassimore (28 laps), Assistant Coach Megan Smith (28 laps), Victoria Massefski (16 laps) and Tori Maroldi (4 laps).
The Lake Hiawatha Swim Team supported its members by having a pizza dinner after the event.
Prior to the event, swimmers were urged to seek donations from family or friends based on the number of laps successfully completed or a flat donation. Please consider supporting the Lake Hiawatha Swim Team’s efforts to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by making a tax deductible donation through this secure website by clicking here.
If the team raises $600, they have an ice cream party for their members.
About the Lake Hiawatha Swim Club
The Lake Hiawatha Swim Club is centrally located near downtown Lake Hiawatha. Membership is accepted at any time throughout the season and there are no residency requirements. Members have access to a large swimming pool, a fenced-in playground area with two professional-grade play areas, a tennis court, as well as lockers, changing rooms and showers. Avellino’s Pizza has an onsite location and serves casual food and cold beverages throughout the day. Aqua aerobics taught by an instructor are included in the membership. An onsite family campout is hosted each year. Multiple raft days are held; swimmers can enjoy playing and lounging on their choice of inflatables. Several outdoor concerts are staged throughout the summer to entertain members and guests.
The Lake Hiawatha Swim Team is open to members of the club, and is a competitive group always seeking new swimmers: participants under 8 must be able to swim the length of the pool to be eligible and all children must be 18 years or younger.
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Albert Foo Graduates from UAlbany
PARSIPPANY — The University at Albany congratulates the more than 2,800 students who graduated in May 2016.
Albert Foo graduated with a degree in Philosophy. Albert graduated from Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2012.
About the University at Albany Educationally and culturally, the University at Albany-SUNY puts the world within reach for its more than 17,300 students. A comprehensive public research university, UAlbany offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs.
UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare, and sociology taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
Home Depot Employees Enhance Community Center
PARSIPPANY — Despite hot temperatures yesterday, Home Depot of Parsippany employees donated their resources and time at the Parsippany Community Center on August 11.
Home Depot employees enhanced the inside and outside of the Community Center by donating soil, flowers, and other materials.
Home Depot is located at 780 Route 46 West.
Letter to the editor: Danger of Accumulative Impacts and Susceptibility to Contaminations
Dear Editor:
The danger of Accumulative Impacts and Susceptibility to Contaminations of Both Our Environment and our Humanity.
Parsippany is foolishly paving over its last remaining ground water recharge areas.
If, when given “strict scrutiny” we must see Parsippany is running out of “ground water recharge areas” and is now experiencing as in past times a water deficit. Parsippany depend on two private sources to maintain its need for water without which there would not be sufficient supply. At present 65% or less of Parsippany’s water comes from the “Buried Valley Aquifer” which suffers from drawdown in summer months and beyond. With continued loss of Environmentally Sensitive Landscapes loss of ground water recharge only increases along with its susceptibility to contaminations with accumulative effects in water quality and quantity issues, which will surely lead to future costs increases and human health issues.
Our present Administration has no Environmental resource Inventory and does not protect ground water recharge areas; as they are not recognized or considered sensitive in themselves. The recent loss of two major such “sensitive Areas” the waterview landscapes, and the UPS office complex both of which under higher standards would be recognized as such, in future long term sustainability scenarios. Instead we have private economic interest; engineering replacements that cannot and will not give to us what nature has provided at no costs.
Under Parsippany’s form of “Home-Rule” we have somehow been made second class citizens rather than first class, as large corporate landowners subvert and change our master plan; waterviews suspension and elimination of the Steep Slope Protection Ordinance is a good example. Parsippany seems to think that when developers or landowners make bad investments in property, creating hardships for themselves, through desires of market driven speculation developments; not actual needs knowing that for example; steep slopes, forest, wellhead protection areas or ground water recharge areas will be permanently erased or forever degraded by impacts, they have more rights than the citizens of this town. Under the Title of Home Rule therefore Parsippany’s citizens are placed in a second class status over outside corporate forces; the exact opposite of the original intention of so-called Home Rule.
With the denial of science climate change seems not to be part of the decision making process, this is said being water is life and its health directly related to our welfare and safety. Already we are discovering our water has been compromised by many environmental factors; developing “remaining sensitive landscapes like the present one here in question along with the others for private economic interest over public interest is a form of sanctioned business over life and the right to profit at the expense of others. Our government; our home rule continues to ignore the people and science itself. Waterview still remains as the greatest example of this, when overwhelming public opposition with sound just cause and the elected Council vote of No was overturned on in closed session with the use of bully law suit tactics and fears of public housing. Public Housing cannot be built in environmentally sensitive landscapes, nor should any other type of development especially that not actually needed.
We must realize an economy desperate for work cannot allow work for the mere sake of dirty deals and landscapes lost forever while already existing developments stand idle, empty or abandoned. We are destroying the future for others and this we have no right to do.
Parsippany’s further loss and degradation of our ground water recharge, well protection area’s allowing increased impacts; environmentally sensitive areas, lost forever, are a crime against the environment and the future generations. More and more impervious surface spells less and less available clean water and future problems, all this for short term results. This is not a matter of politics but science and beyond reason and doubt what we surely can expect. We are sadly experiencing in our time a war against science and reason in the name of money. We have turned freedom and liberty itself into the prerogative of making money beyond what anyone individual or corporations actually has need for that money in any advancement of the common good.
Nick Homyak
Lake Hiawatha
Kakkaramadam Earns Degree From Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
PARSIPPANY — Anirudh Kakkaramadam, a 2012 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School earned a Bachelors in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in May, 2016.
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is America’s oldest technological research university. For nearly two centuries, the Institute has been a driving force behind breakthroughs in engineering and science in virtually every arena-from transportation and infrastructure to business, medicine, outer space, and cyberspace.
As it approaches its bicentennial anniversary, the Institute continues to define The New Polytechnic, a new paradigm for teaching, learning, and research that uses advanced technologies to enable fresh collaborations across disciplines, sectors, and regions, in order to answer the global challenges of our day.
Stop Hunger Now – Meal Packing Event
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA hosted a meal-packing event to support the efforts of STOP HUNGER NOW. According to this organization’s website, “Stop Hunger Now gets food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people, and works to end global hunger in our lifetime. Established in 1998, they have provided over 225 million meals in 74 countries. Based in Raleigh, N.C., they operate throughout the U.S. and through affiliates in developing countries.”
Carol Herring, a member of the Y’s Board of Governors organized this event, which included 62 volunteers and 19 student members of the Y’s teen Leaders Club, supervised by the Y’s Community Service Director, BreAnne Law. The goal was to assemble and package 10,000 meals (each including rice, flour, dehydrated vegetable blend, and vitamins) in two hours for needy people!
The STOP HUNGER NOW truck arrived early containing hundreds of pounds of food, containers, hairnets, gloves, boxes and equipment for the event that the volunteers brought into the gymnasium, which served as the packing center. After some basic instructions from Bruce Ladson, STOP HUNGER NOW coordinator, the volunteers moved to their assembly line stations working in teams as they filled bins and meal bags with food ingredients, weighed and sealed the bags and finally boxed and put them on pallets which were then loaded on the truck.
At the end of two hours, the goal of packaging 10,000 meals was realized. This project was both a fun and educational experience that provided all of the volunteers a greater awareness for global hunger.
Lakeland Hills YMCA is located at 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.