Kiwanis International delegates make history, elect first female president of organization

Letters to the Editor
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Kiwanis International delegates make history, elect first female president of organization

Susan A. “Sue” Petrisin will be the first female president-designate of a major international service organization following elections at the 100th Annual Kiwanis International Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Lance Incitti, of Denville, a member of Denville Kiwanis Club was elected to the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees.

Kiwanis celebrated 100 years of service to children of the world with a pancake lunch and birthday celebration, a playground dedication and a business meeting.

“In being elected it is an opportunity to continue serving the children of the world” said Incitti, a 28-year member of Kiwanis. Incitti has served as a Distinguished Club President, Distinguished Lieutenant Governor, Distinguished Governor of the New Jersey District of Kiwanis and in 2008 was appointed to the Kiwanis International Foundation Board and served as President of the International Foundation in 2013-2014. The Kiwanis Club of Denville provides annual scholarships to County College of Morris, sponsors a little league team, Eagle Scout projects, St. Francis Octoberfest, the Deville food pantry and rings bells for the Salvation Army.

Petrisin, of East Lansing, Michigan, USA, will assume her duties on October 1, 2015. She is associate director of alumni programs for the Michigan State University Alumni Association and has been involved in Kiwanis for nearly 25 years as a member of the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing. She also has held multiple leadership roles with Kiwanis youth programs.

Also elected were Jane Erickson, Bellevue, Nebraska, USA, president-elect, and James “Jim” M. Rochford, Peoria, Illinois, USA, vice president. Erickson, a Kiwanis member for 25 years and past governor of the Nebraska-Iowa District, has served in nearly every club leadership role and as president of Kiwanis International Foundation. Rochford, an international trustee and past governor of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District, has been an active member of Kiwanis since 1979.

“Kiwanis will concentrate on serving the children of the world in our 101st year,” Petrisin said. “Our mission is serving the children of the world, wherever we have a Kiwanis club, and we’ll focus on how to best serve our communities as we launch our next century of service.”

Also elected at the 2015 Kiwanis International convention in Indianapolis, home of Kiwanis International, were new members of the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees. They include: John E. DeVilbiss, West Alexandria, Ohio, USA and Terry A. White, Evansville, Indiana, USA. Their three-year terms also begin October 1, 2015.

The new members join Immediate Past President John Button, M.D., of Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada; Kenneth A. Alovera, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines; Patricia “Patti” Barsotti, San Ramon Valley, California, USA; Bruce Berven, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Kevin Dean, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Patrick R. Ewing, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Koshiro “Kit” Kitzato, Tokyo, Japan; Marcel Kreienbühl, Gossau-Flawil, Switzerland; Florencio C. “Poly” Lat, Inter-City Homes, Muntinlupa, the Philippines; Arthur N. “Art” Riley, Westminster, Maryland, USA; Dewey Smith, Albany, Georgia, USA, Barbara K. “Barb” Thompson, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; and Daniel Vigneron, Howald, Luxembourg, elected last month in Luxembourg at the Kiwanis International-European Federation convention.

About Kiwanis
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs, including Circle K International for university students, Key Club for students age 14–18, Builders Club for students age 11–14, Kiwanis Kids for students age 6–12 and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities, annually dedicate more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. The Kiwanis International family comprises nearly 600,000 adult and youth members in 80 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International, visit www.kiwanis.org.

Court finds that Summit Housing Authority violated OPRA

Frank L. Cahill
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Court finds that Summit Housing Authority violated OPRA

SUMMIT —  Union County Superior Court Judge James Hely issued an opinion on Monday, July 13 that the Summit Housing Authority failed to properly reply to an Open Public Records Act request for minutes of the non-public (executive or closed session) meetings of its Board of Commissioners.

The ruling followed oral argument on July 10. The court date was announced along with details of the case last week (click here to read article).

The Judge opined that the request for the last three sets of closed session minutes was unambiguous and found fault with the Authority’s attempt to narrow the search window to only the tenure of its current Executive Director / Custodian of Records. The request included no such limitation, nor does the law authorize that interpretation, the court ruled.

Per its own admission, the agency hasn’t kept minutes for closed session meetings held since its current Director, Joseph M. Billy, Jr., began on April 1, 2013. The agency didn’t contest that minutes exist for closed sessions held in earlier years but failed to provide copies of those minutes in its response to the OPRA request.

Decision is still pending with regard to Open Public Meetings Act violations, which include the agency’s failure to keep minutes for its non-public meetings.

Parsippany Communications Firm Welcomes Boonton Resident as Intern

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Communications Firm Welcomes Boonton Resident as Intern
Sumera Munhaf
Sumera Munhaf

PARSIPPANY — Sumera Munhaf recently began a summer internship with SCG (Success Communications Group), a full-service communications firm located at 26 Eastmans Road.

Munhaf, a rising junior at Seton Hall University in South Orange is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in graphic design. Munhaf is a member of the Leadership Development Honors Program and is the President of the Women’s Leadership Program. 

“Interning at Success Communications Group will allow me to acquire valuable skills which will better prepare me for my career,” says Munhaf. “I am thankful for this opportunity because it will allow me to gain hands-on experience in the communications field.”

Since January 2003, more than 200 college students from approximately 50 different colleges and universities have participated in SCG’s continuing public relations internship program. These student have earned significant professional experience and, in many cases, college credit as well.

Founded more than half a century ago, SCG (Success Communications Group) provides 21st century communication services highlighted by creativity, passion, and innovation. With specific expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, social media, digital marketing, and recruitment, SCG is headquartered in Parsippany with regional offices in the metro areas of Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa. 

 

Family Law Expert Challenges Lawmakers to Revamp Domestic Violence Laws

Frank L. Cahill
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Family Law Expert Challenges Lawmakers to Revamp Domestic Violence Laws
Bari Z. Weinberger, Esq.
Bari Z. Weinberger, Esq.

PARSIPPANY — Following the tragic Asbury Park killing of Tamara Seidle, allegedly murdered by her ex-husband, Neptune police Sgt. Philip Seidle, New Jersey family law expert Bari Z. Weinberger, Esq. is demanding the NJ Legislature revamp the state’s dated domestic violence laws. Weinberger has offices at 119 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 120.

–    The officer must surrender their weapons on the spot;Ms. Weinberger, a featured expert in the recent Asbury Park Press investigative report, Inside the Dark World of Domestic Violence, addressed current police protocol for domestic violence calls when the alleged domestic violence offender is a fellow police officer. Among special rules that apply:

–    The county prosecutor must investigate allegations immediately. While the case is pending, the prosecutor can find that guns should remain out of the hands of the accused officer; and

–    If a charge or complaint is withdrawn, the officer’s department chief must still investigate to determine if the officer can carry a firearm.

According to Weinberger, even with these rules in place, more can be done to protect domestic violence victims.

“Although New Jersey has some of the most stringent DV laws in the nation, we still have a long way to go in how well they function to protect victims and punish offenders,” she said in a statement.

To this end, Weinberger, who has represented domestic violence cases in the state for over 15 years, is issuing a challenge to New Jersey lawmakers to prioritize a string of domestic violence bills introduced last fall, around the time of the Ray Rice scandal. Since then, the bills have languished in committee. These include:

  • A2154, a bill allowing domestic violence victims to testify by closed circuit television, and
  • A3801, establishing a three-year Domestic Violence Court pilot program in Monmouth and Camden counties.
  • A3802, which upgrades domestic violence crimes and includes a mandatory three years of imprisonment for offenders who injure their victims.
  • A3803, which requires that all judges receive at least three hours of domestic violence training.

“I am eager to sit down with lawmakers to give them guidance on why these domestic violence laws deserve to be passed.” she stated.

Weinberger also encourages discussion of whether police officers should be required to leave their weapon at the station when not on duty. Tamara Seidle was reportedly murdered by multiple gunshots from Philip Seidle’s service firearm.

“If such a rule were in place, could this murder have been prevented? This is a discussion that needs to take place with lawmakers and I am prepared to lead it,” she stated.

Franklin Lakes Police arrest Parsippany man on DWI

Letters to the Editor
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Franklin Lakes Police arrest Parsippany man on DWI

PARSIPPANY — Franklin Lakes Police issued 40 summonses and made several arrests during a DWI enforcement checkpoint on Route 208 in Franklin Lakes over the weekend of Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.

A Parsippany resident, Thomas Green Jr., 42,  was charged with DWI and no registration or proof of insurance as part of the DWI enforcement. Mr. Green was driving a 2005 Madza, according to Franklin Lakes Detective Lieutenant John Bakelaar.  He also stated he was released to a friend, and would not disclose his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Mr. Green was charged on Saturday, July 11.

In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he/she operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. BAC refers to the amount of alcohol in your blood. Although the law refers to a 0.08 percent BAC, you can be convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor even when your BAC is below 0.08 percent.

Editors Note: A complaint or a charge is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CCM to close for College-Wide Electrical Repairs

Nicolas Limanov
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CCM to close for College-Wide Electrical Repairs

RANDOLPH — The County College of Morris (CCM) will be closed from Saturday, August 1, through Sunday, August 9, due to the installation of new electrical switchgear that will replace the original equipment that was installed when the college first opened in 1968.

The upgrades will result in improved reliability of the college’s electrical service and reduce equipment maintenance costs.

Switchgear or electrical switchgear is a generic term which includes all the switching devices associated with power system protection.

Both CCM’s main Randolph campus and its Morristown location will be closed during that period. The CCM Department of Public Safety will maintain patrols of the campuses during the closure.

The CCM website will not be affected by the shutdown, but WebAdvisor, the online tool that allows students and others to access class schedules and related information, will not be available beginning on 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, due to a system upgrade.

It is anticipated that WebAdvisor will be available again on Thursday, August 6. A message will be posted on the CCM website when WebAdvisor becomes available.

 

Local Students Named To Dean’s List At Loyola University

Frank L. Cahill
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Local Students Named To Dean’s List At Loyola University

PARSIPPANY —  Loyola University Maryland has announced the members of its spring 2015 Dean’s List. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List at Loyola, a student must achieve a minimum QPA of at least 3.500 for the term, provided that, in the term they have successfully completed courses totaling a minimum of 15 credits. The following local students have achieved this honor:

Andrew Rodrigues, a 2013 Graduate of Parsippany High School. He is a member of the class of 2017.

Nelson Gonzalez, Graduated Brooklawn Middle School Class of 2010, and  St. Peter’s Preparatory School, Class of 2014.  He is a member of the class of 2018.

John Mucciolo, Graduated Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2014 and is a member of the class of 2018 at Loyola University Maryland.

Established in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is a Catholic, Jesuit comprehensive university comprising Loyola College, home to the University’s arts and sciences programs; the Sellinger School of Business and Management; and the School of Education. Loyola enrolls 3,700 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students from across the country.

Motor Vehicle stop in Parsippany nets seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine

Frank L. Cahill
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Motor Vehicle stop in Parsippany nets seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine

PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the guilty plea entered by Pablo A. Home, 30, of Sparta, on Wednesday, July 15 before the Honorable William J. McGovern, J.S.C.

Home pled guilty to one count of first-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1). The State is recommending ten (10) years New Jersey State Prison with thirty-one (31) months parole ineligibility. Defendant also agreed to forfeit $13,676.00 which were the proceeds of his drug distribution activity.

This plea is the culmination of a three month long investigation into the drug distribution/money laundering activity of Home. Money Laundering is also known as the financial facilitation of criminal activity. Home transported U.S. currency derived from his drug distribution activities.

This case was initiated in February of this year based on intelligence gathered by a municipal patrol officer in the Borough of Wharton following a motor vehicle stop on Route 46. This intelligence ultimately led to law enforcement halting the importation of a large quantity of powder cocaine and crack cocaine into Morris County by Home.

This investigation concluded on Thursday, May 21 with the motor vehicle stop and arrest of Home in Parsippany and the seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine with a street value in excess of $12,000.00 as well as U.S. Currency.

Home has been lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on a $200,000.00 no 10% bail set by the Honorable William J. McGovern, J.S.C.

This investigation was led by Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Scibetta and Detective George Tsimpedes of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force.

Prosecutor Knapp stated “This investigation and prosecution was a coordinated effort of our Narcotics Task Force and municipal police. Municipal law enforcement remains a critical element of narcotics interdiction and our special thanks go out to the Wharton and Parsippany Police Department’s for their vigilance.”

Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp specifically wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, theTownship of Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Borough of Wharton Police Department.

Home is scheduled to be sentenced before The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor on September 11, 2015.

 

Update: Downed utility pole on Route 46 caused traffic jams

Frank L. Cahill
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Update: Downed utility pole on Route 46 caused traffic jams

PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, July 11, at approximately 12:29 p.m., Mr. Antonio Ybanez, 18, Parsippany, was traveling west on Route 46, in the right lane, when he veered off the roadway and struck and knocked down a utility pole.

Mr. Yabanez, who was driving a 2001 Blue Toyota Wagon stated he was driving and the steering wheel began shaking and he veered off the roadway.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Robert Appel investigated the accident and determined th driver was at fault due to inattention.

There were no summons issued at the time of the incident. Ajaco Towing towed the vehicle from the scene.

At the time of the incident, Route 46 was closed in both directions, causing traffic jams for a number of hours.  In addition, some of the traffic was diverted into the Arlington Shopping Center, causing traffic jams for the shoppers.

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The telephone pole hanging over Route 46
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The vehicle hit the utility pole
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Police were allowing cars on Route 46

Steven Lieberman Is Recognized as Investment Leader

Frank L. Cahill
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Steven Lieberman Is Recognized as Investment Leader
steve_lieberman
Steven W. Lieberman

PARSIPPANY — One of the largest independent financial planning and wealth management firms in the greater New York City area, Summit Financial Resources, Inc., announced that Steven W. Lieberman, MBA, CFP® was named the firm’s 2014 Investment Leader. For over a dozen consecutive years, he has consistently held this recognition as Summit’s top-ranking investment management practice. Summit Financial is located at 4 Campus Drive.

The award recognizes Mr. Lieberman as leader of Summit Financial Resources, Inc.’s most productive investment management practice.

As a financial advisor for nearly 25 years, Mr. Lieberman specializes in providing clients with a range of sophisticated wealth management services, including comprehensive financial planning, investment management, risk management, estate planning and retirement planning.

Mr. Lieberman graduated from the Wharton School of Business with his Bachelor’s Degree (BS) in Economics and his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance. Mr. Lieberman has been an active Board Member and/or Investment Committee member of numerous charitable organizations, clubs and societies.

Steve is a member of the UJA Ben Gurion and Lester Societies, and is a National Cabinet alum.  He has been a member of the Essex County Estate Planning Council, NALU and Financial Planning Association (FPA), as well as the Wharton Club of New Jersey and the Penn Clubs of Metro New Jersey and New York.  He is a founder of Simcha Chai and an active patron of Weizmann Institute of Science, Stand with Us, AIPAC, Chai Lifeline and Juvenile Diabetes.

Steve currently resides in Short Hills with his wife, identical twin daughters and son.

Summit Financial Resources was established in 1982 and headquartered in Parsippany, Summit Financial Resources, Inc., and Summit Equities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC are privately owned financial planning and wealth management firms with over 200 professionals and support personnel and advise clients on over $3 billion in assets. The firm’s multi-disciplined approach to financial planning (combining expertise in estate planning, business planning, investment planning, retirement planning, fringe benefits and insurance) is designed to give clients a coordinated and comprehensive set of solutions to the financial problems faced by successful individuals today. For more information, visit www.summitfinancial.com.

 

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