The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch on Thursday afternoon for parts of western and northern New Jersey. The watch is in place for northwestern Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Salem and Somerset counties through Friday morning. Sussex and Warren counties are also under a flash flood watch through late tonight. A…
Morris County Historical Society Welcomes McClintock
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall is pleased to announce that Sarah McClintock has joined the Society’s Board of Trustees for a four-year term. Ms. McClintock brings extensive financial expertise to the Board. Ms. McClintock is Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking at HSBC Bank USA, with experience in trusts and estates. She earned her MBA in Finance from New York University, and is a registered securities professional.
Ms. McClintock is the daughter of Sally McClintock, a former President of the Summit Historical Society. Ms. McClintock is a long time Summit resident. She lives in Summit with her husband Andrew Cairns, enjoys gardening, and recently completed the renovation of their third house in the area.
The Morris County Historical Society was founded in 1945. The Society’s mission is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, promotion, and interpretation of Morris County history through events, programs, exhibits, and preservation advocacy. The Morris County Historical Society is a member-supported, 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
Poll Results: Is the Mayor of Parsippany above the law?
PARSIPPANY — The results are in and with many comments both for and against, the overwhelming majority of people feel that it is not ok to park a vehicle on the lawn of a home.
The Township, like virtually every other municipality in the State, strictly forbids the parking of any vehicle on any lawn. Parsippany’s parking ordinance is enforced by the Township’s Housing Department. Parsippany Focus recently spoke to a former housing inspector and was told via email that “inspectors are out every day citing people for illegally parking and we received complaints all the time. People may feel that it is ok to do whatever they want on their own property, but that is not the way society and zoning laws work.”
[polldaddy poll=9030467]
Clean Communities: Keeping Parsippany clean
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council made a presentation to the participants in the Clean Communities program with a certificate of appreciation at its meeting of Tuesday, August 18.
Each year, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township receives grant money through the New Jersey Clean Communities program. Parsippany received a grant of $111,553.58 of the total distribution for fiscal year 2015 of $18,494,161.22. (Click here to review full report)
The young people were an enthusiastic group who seemed truly appreciative of being able to perform duties for the Township; they were paid through the Clean Communities grant, and they were very happy to have summer jobs.
The program is designed to support municipalities in their effort to educate citizens and abate littered areas.
They did a great job assisting the Road Department with repair of catch basins, picking up garbage along the roadside, helping out the water department and performing tasks to show how proud Parsippany can be.
The Clean Communities Program was created in 1986 with funding from taxes levied on the sale of litter generating products. In 2002, the Clean Communities Fund was reauthorized. Twenty-one counties and five hundred fifty-nine municipalities are eligible to receive funding.
Letter to the editor: Parsippany SuperPAC: mixture of amusement and sadness
Dear Editor:
I’ve been reading the events of few months regarding the Parsippany SuperPAC saga with a mix of amusement and sadness. 
Not quite sure how much of which. I’ve felt so often that I have quite a unique perspective on all of this. Why? Well – the reason that’s most important to me pertains to the issue of money in politics. From the time I first ran for office for what was dubbed by our Founding Fathers as “the People’s House” – US Congress – it was quite apparent to me what an ironic nickname that is for that legislative branch. Given the cost of what it takes to make a viable bid for membership in that the body as well as the typical sources you utilize to run for, and maintain your seat – it’s really far from anything that could rightly be called “the People’s House”.
Councilman Valori noted as quoted by Parsippany Focus “These Parsippany Super PACS are becoming a political cancer which must be stopped from spreading. [they’re] corrupting the foundation of honest government and it must stop now.” I could not wholeheartedly agree with him more – however I’ll do him one better – it’s a cancer on our entire democracy from sea to shining sea. A noted scholar once said that democracy will collapse when folks learn that they can vote themselves money. This gentleman overlooked the possibility that businesses might find a way to buy out our government first.
That’s why I stood in front of the town council six years ago and asked them to toughen up our Pay-to-Play laws (even though – as Cindy Forrest noted to me – the ordinance I presented didn’t go nearly far enough). I had just spent three years of my life trying to make a difference running for Congress and I saw how high the barrier was. Many people listened to my message and politely shook their heads – saying “you keep tilting at windmills Tom – we need idealists”. Of course when I was ignored by our Town Council, I took to the streets with a few other idealists, stood in front of convenience stores and supermarkets, talking to so many people who agreed and practically took the petition clip boards out of our hands to sign-up and support the idea. Presenting the petition back to the Council a few members “voted for it – before they were against it.” And of course just a few months later it was dismantled behind a pile of cynical excuses.
And my other unique take on all this? …. I know some of the SuperPAC players in question. In 2006 – when I first met the municipal chairs of Western Essex County – part of Congressional District 11 – I was sitting in the back room of Fairview Insurance not even knowing the owners. I met them later – along with a whole list of Democratic who’s-who of the “donor class”. I know what’s it’s like to ask for money to run for office. I know what it’s like to have someone write you a big check – then question yourself –“ what if this person wants something from me someday”? So naïve I was – right?
But that’s the democracy that we put up with, and so it’s the democracy we deserve. But I know – and so do a lot of other people …. it doesn’t have to be this way. That’s why I’m now focused on teaming up with any organization to help stop this threat.
It might take forever – and maybe I’ll never see the day when all this is cleaned up, when we can “form a more perfect union” by taking our Democracy off the auction block. But I do know one thing – something that I learned 9 years ago when I kicked off my congressional campaign – that I still knew 6 years ago as I politely lobbied our town council – and as I stood outside the Shop Rite with a petition, and subsequently having endured the humiliation of having the same council dismantle our efforts months later in front of us….. This is a cause worth fighting for – as hard as you would any cancer that threatens you …. or your family …. or your whole society.
Tom Wyka
Parsippany
Driver runs red light; sends two to hospital
PARSIPPANY — The driver, Ms. Alexus Deangelis, 23, West Orange ran the red light at Smith and Littleton Road striking a vehicle driven by Kevin R. Nowicki, 22, Parsippany. The accident occurred on Sunday, August 9.
Mr. Nowicki was driving a 2012 Mazda and Ms. Deangelis was driving a 2000 Toyota. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
Ms. Deangelis and a passenger in her vehicle were transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital by Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman Arthur Olhsen investigated the accident. At the time of this article there were no summons issued.
Jacqueline Smith completed summer service projects
PARSIPPANY — Jacqueline Smith, 16, a Parsippany resident recently completed summer service projects for Eleventh Hour Rescue and the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets program.
Smith a rising junior at Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell, conducted two events during the Parsippany Adult and Communication Education’s (PACE) “Wide World of Summer” camp program held at Central Middle School. “Wide World of Summer” is an eight-week camp program filled with outdoor sports and indoor activities, educational enrichment programs and field trips. Smith is a third-year member of the camp’s Counselor in Training leadership program.
Eleventh Hour Rescue is a local non-profit focused on saving pets from kill shelters, and educating the community about the animal overpopulation problem and the importance of spaying and neutering. Smith’s camper education program included a service dog presentation from the FBI Bomb Detection K9 unit, and included a pet food and shelter supply donation drive for the group’s headquarter facility in Randolph.
Smith’s second program raised money for the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign. The campaign aims to prevent malaria, a leading cause of death among children in Africa by purchasing and distributing long-lasting, insecticide-treated anti-mosquito nets, and educating families on their use. Smith’s fundraising activities included a soccer goal shootout, basketball shooting contests and a collection jug for spare change. She raised $510 in donations, equal to 51 lifesaving nets. This was her third event for Nothing But Nets, and she has now raised a total of $1,740 for the organization, enough for 174 nets for families in affected countries. Smith was named to the Nothing But Nets “Champions Council” for her efforts, and will travel in February to Washington DC for the group’s global conference as a student representative to share her work and gain ideas for future fundraising efforts.
Breaking news: Littleton Road closed due to accident
PARSIPPANY — Littleton Road in the area of Sand Hill Court there was a motor vehicle accident that brought down telephone poles and wires across the roadway. The road is still closed in that area. The road is expected to be closed late into the evening as crews work to repair the downed telephone poles and wires. There is also a localized power outage due to the accident.
To alleviate traffic around the accident scene please use the following detours:
Northbound traffic: From Route 202/Littleton Road make a left onto Brooklawn Drive. Take Brooklawn Drive to the end and make a right onto Route 53/Tabor Road. Go to the stop light and make a right onto Park Road. Take Park Road to the end which puts you back on Route 202/Littelton Road.
Southbound traffic: From Route 202/Littleton Road make a right onto Park Road. Take Park Road to the end and make a left onto Route 53/Tabor Road. Make a left at the third street which is Brooklawn Drive (7-11 is on the corner). Take Brooklawn Drive to the end which puts you back on Route 202/Littleton Road.
Article will be updated when additional information is available. Parsippany Focus has reporters on the scene.
On-line Auction of Surplus Township Property
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills shall conduct a sale of surplus property online beginning Tuesday, September 1.
You can visit the on-line auction by clicking here. The surplus property is being sold in an “as is” condition without express or implied warranties.
The surplus property includes fourteen vehicles. All bidders must pre-register with GovDeals by clicking here.
The successful bidder may be required to execute a hold harmless and indemnification agreement. The Township reserves the right to accept or reject any bids submitted.
Morris County Health Office Offers Late Summer Water Safety Tips
MORRIS COUNTY — The end of summer is bearing down on us, with its dog days of autumn heat that is driving many Morris County residents to the Shore and mountains, and local and county lakes and beaches and pools – all in search of some fun and cooling water.
Which is why the Morris County Office of Health Management is joining the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) in offering one last summer of 2015 warning to be especially watchful of children – especially very young children — near water during this time of the year.
“It only takes a few inches of water for a child to drown,” said Carlos Perez, Health Officer for the Morris County Office of Health Management. “So please make sure the kids have constant supervision when they are in or near the water, so we can avoid any tragedies.’’
“Adults must be vigilant when small children are near water, and under no circumstances, should a child ever be left unsupervised near water,” said DCF Commissioner Allison Blake. “It just takes a moment’s distraction and very shallow water for a child to drown. This water safety video will help parents and guardians keep children safe and make sure this summer is fun for everyone.”
A video from New Jersey DCF offers important water safety information at https://youtu.be/1BoMrq4y_CA
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning causes more deaths among children 1 to 4 years of age than any other cause except birth defects. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths among children ages 1 to 14, trailing only motor vehicle crashes.
The CDC notes the primary factors affecting drowning risks are: lack of swimming ability, lack of barriers to prevent unsupervised water access, lack of close supervision while swimming, location of the body of water, failure to wear life jackets, alcohol use, and seizure disorders.
The Morris County Office of Health Management joins DCF and the New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending that parents and caregivers follow several tips to help keep young people safe in and around water.
Never leave children swimming unattended. Drowning can occur in an inch or two of water. Stay within an arm’s length of small children in water to protect against rapid drowning.
- Warn children to never swim at a pool or beach alone or without a lifeguard.
- Train children to swim at an early age.
- Teach children swimming in a pool is far different than swimming in open water.
- Be certain only qualified and undistracted adults are entrusted with supervising children in water.
- Always empty inflatable pools, buckets, pails, and bathtubs after each use.
- Personal floatation devices do not guarantee water safety.