Your predictions: Who’s headed to Drumthwacket if Christie wins the White House?

PRINCETON — We know Gov. Chris Christie wants to occupy the White House as the country’s next president, but who’s headed to the governor’s mansion in Princeton? Drumthwacket, the official residence of the New Jersey governor since 1981, is located on Stockton Street near the Battle of Princeton site. Built in 1835 by Charles Smith Olden,…

Seeking Information Regarding a Vehicle Believed to be Involved In a Possible Hit and Run

MADISON — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Madison Police Department are seeking information from the public concerning a possible hit and run that occurred in Madison.

On Saturday, June 20, at approximately 9:45 p.m, a 53 year old male was found to be critically injured in the area of Main Street and Prospect.

Law enforcement believes that the male’s injuries are the result of a possible hit and run. The investigation has led to information involving a vehicle leaving the scene of this incident and traveling east on Main Street towards Chatham.

The vehicle in question is believed to be a 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Damage may be minimal and possibly concentrated to the front part of the vehicle.

The following is the surveillance photograph of the vehicle:

2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

The Madison Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying this vehicle, as well as speaking with anyone with information regarding this incident and/or the circumstances leading to this male’s injuries.

Any person with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Madison Police Department at (973) 593-3000, the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200, or the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers at (973) 267-2255. All calls will be kept confidential.

Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will host the annual “Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks” on Saturday, July 4. Rain date Sunday, July 5. Come out and enjoy an evening of music by “The Trip” and fireworks at Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive.

The concert starts a 7:00 p.m. and fireworks start at dusk. Read Parsippany Focus in case of inclement weather.

Some reminders from Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department:

Alcoholic beverages, pets, fireworks, smoking and bicycles are strictly prohibited at the event. Those individuals found in possession of prohibited property will be ejected from the event and possibly receive a summons.

Security Checkpoints will be located at all entrances to the event.

All bags, coolers and packages brought to the event will be subject to inspection by law enforcement.

  • All traffic exiting the event by way of Rita Drive will be directed to Littleton Road. (Route 202) north bound.
  • All traffic exiting the event from Brooklawn Drive to Littleton Road. (Route 202) will be directed onto Littleton Road. (Route 202) south bound.
  • Fieldcrest Road is closed to all through traffic from Atlantic Drive to Littleton Road in both directions from 9:45 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
  • Littleton Road (Route 202) will be closed to all through traffic from Halsey Road to Park Road in both directions from 9:45 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
  • Due to the heavy volume of traffic, any vehicles found parked in a normally prohibited area or in a marked emergency prohibited parking zone will be subject to summons and possibly towed and impounded. There will be no parking permitted on Brooklawn Drive or Rita Drive.
  • Additional parking will be permitted at Littleton School as well as Brooklawn Middle School. Shuttle buses will NOT be provided.
  • Handicapped parking will be made available on a first come/first serve basis at the Glencove Road entrance to the school. Golf cart service will also be made available from this area for individuals with disabilities.

The fireworks display will begin at dark.

Morris Habitat for Humanity Accepting Applications Homes to be Built

BUDD LAKE — Morris Habitat for Humanity is now accepting applications for two affordable homes being built on Wallman Way in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive, Morris County. These two-story homes will features three bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, living and dining rooms. The homes will be handicap accessible with an adaptable bedroom and bath on the first floor. The maximum sale price for these homes will be $155,000 and is based on selected applicant’s income.

Besides income qualifications, applicants must be able to afford normal monthly payments for utilities, taxes and an interest-free mortgage. Other qualifications include a clean credit history and that their current housing is inadequate for their needs.

The most important part, as far as Morris Habitat is concerned, is the willingness of the family or individual to complete the full Habitat Application Process. This process includes full personal disclosure and attendance and participation in home buyer education and willingness to contribute “sweat equity” in the amount of at least three hundred (300) hours helping to build their home.

Carolyn Haraksin, the Director of Homeowner Relations for Morris Habitat, handles the application and selection process, which includes a special orientation, home visits and interviews. Recently she stated that, “working with prospective families has been the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had,” and went on to say that, “helping them to become active members of their new community brings me in contact with hundreds of people that make this program so special.” Once the homeowners are selected through a lottery system, a Morris Habitat family partner to guide the future homeowners is assigned and workshops are scheduled to prepare the families for home ownership.

Anyone interested in applying must attend one of the mandatory one-hour Orientation Meetings at the Morris Habitat office the following dates:

Morris Habitat for Humanity, 274 South Salem Street, Randolph

Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m.

To register for one of these orientation sessions, email info@morrishabitat.org with a subject line “Homeownership – Budd Lake”.  The e-mail should include name, telephone number and which session you will attend. The sessions start right on time, with no one will be admitted late. We love kids but space is limited. Please leave your children at home if possible.

To find out more about the program and application process check the Morris Habitat website or contact Carolyn Haraksin, Director of Homeowner Relations, at carolyn.haraksin@morrishabitat.org or by calling at (973) 891-1934, extension 107

Caption: Cute and tidy 2-story homes to be built in the Wallman Way area of Budd Lake for low to moderate income housing.


About Morris Habitat for Humanity

Morris Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles by building homes, communities and hope. Morris Habitat is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; advocating for fair and just housing policies; and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their living conditions.  Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Morris Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion.

Since 1985 Morris Habitat has served 305 families though home ownership opportunities, home preservation, and international home building programs. During the past year Morris Habitat has completing 5 units, with 15 under construction, and finished 10 home repair projects. Thirty eight projects are in the pipeline for 2015-2017. In addition, proceeds from the ReStore, opened May 2007, have built 14 homes and diverted 4,400 tons of useable material out of landfills.  Located at 274 South Salem Street, Randolph. Store hours: Tues 12 – 8 p.m., Wed & Fri 10 – 6 p.m., Thurs. 10 – 8 p.m., sat 10 – 5 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will host the annual “Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks” on Saturday, July 4. Rain date Sunday, July 5. Come out and enjoy an evening of music by “The Trip” and fireworks at Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive.

The concert starts a 7:00 p.m. and fireworks start at dusk.

For updates and information on parking and traffic, Parsippany Focus will publish details later this week.

The Trip, winner of Gigmaster’s Top Cover Band Award three years in a row. Performing 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and the MOST CURRENT ROCK and TOP-40 HITS, The Trip is extremely versatile with a huge song list; authentic and energetic, with extremely talented musicians whose seasoned experience can cover any event. We do Concerts, Corporate Events, Clubs, Private Parties and Weddings! THE TRIP has ROCKED for Microsoft, Disney, IBM, HP, Budweiser, and many more Fortune 500 companies. Professional, Accommodating and Fun.

 

Christie campaign rolls out his leadership team; Morris County leaders on list

christie2016Chris Christie announced his New Jersey leadership teams made up of more than 200 Republican leaders and elected officials, as well as business leaders from across the state who are supporting his candidacy.

Local Morris County elected officials or business leaders include:

New Jersey Political Leadership Team
Rodney Frelinghuysen, Congressman, NJ-11

Members of the New Jersey State Senate:
Anthony R. Bucco, State Senator, District 25
Joseph Pennacchio, State Senator, District 26

Members of the New Jersey General Assembly
Anthony R. Bucco, Jr., Assemblyman, District 25
Jay Webber, Assemblyman, District 26
Betty Lou DeCroce, Assemblywoman, District 26

New Jersey Republican County Chair
John Sette, Chairman, Morris County

Members of the New Jersey Republican State Committee
Larry Casha, Committeeman, Morris County
Christina Ramirez, Committeewoman, Morris County

Morris County Republican Countywide Elected Officials
Edward Rochford, Sheriff
Ann Grossi, County Clerk
William Hank Lyon, Freeholder
Doug Cabana, Freeholder
Kathy DeFillippo, Freeholder
Tom Mastrangelo, Freeholder
John Cesaro, Freeholder
John Krickus, Freeholder
David Scapicchio, Freeholder

New Jersey Finance Leadership Team
Todd Christie, Ernst & Young, Mendham
Arthur Corwin, Arthur Corwin Civil Engineering, Morristown
Ed Deutsch, Mcelroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter, Morristown
Craig Domalewski, Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, PC, Randolph
Michael Gilfillan, BCS Capital, Madison
Christine Gilfillan, Madison
John Inglesino, Inglesino, Pearlman, Wyciskala & Taylor, Parsippany
Jerry Langer, Langer Transport Company, Montville
John Sette, Lohman & Associates Inc, Morristown

While it became official only Tuesday, most people in New Jersey knew as much for months. What they don’t know is who is running New Jersey.

In 2014, Christie spent about a third of the year out of state campaigning for Republican gubernatorial candidates. This year, there has been hardly a week when the Governor has not spent some time out of New Jersey. After Tuesday’s announcement in Livingston, Christie was conducting an evening town-hall-style event in New Hampshire; He is scheduled to be in New Hampshire through Fourth of July.

Elected officials rarely give up office to run for another one. In the private sector, an employee who needed a year off to do something else would have to take an unpaid leave or resign. If you are a governor or U.S. senator, you keep your day job and its salary, benefits and prestige while pursuing something better. Taxpayers are not asked if they mind or if their interests are being served.

Editors Note: Individuals are serving in a personal capacity.  Company names are provided for convenience only. Although not Morris County Former Gov. Tom Kean is not on the list; Neither is longtime Christie critic state Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) or Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-25); Also missing areU.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Assemblyman Chris Brown (R-2), Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-39), state Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-13).

NJFOG wins its OPMA case against the Trenton Board of Education

TRENTON — The New Jersey Foundation for Open Government (NJFOG) filed a lawsuit (Docket No. MER-L-11-15) against the Trenton Board of Education earlier this year.  The suit involves multiple violations of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).  

New Jersey Foundation For Open Government (NJFOG) previously announced that OPRA counts were decided in our favor, with a hearing on OPMA counts scheduled on Monday, June 29.

NJFOG announces that it has won its Open Public Meetings Act case against the Trenton School Board.

Mercer County Judge Mary C. Jacobson signed the Order on June 30. NJFOG has obtained two injunctions against the Board. Judge Jacobson’s June 30 order is available by clicking here. The case pleadings, including the motion for summary judgment and opposition, are available by  clicking here.

This case is one of a growing number of lawsuits brought by NJFOG for the public’s benefit in order to give teeth and clarity to the OPMA and OPRA laws and to increase compliance by public agencies statewide

PTE All Star Senior Softball beats Dover 10-0 in District Finals

PARSIPPANY —  The 2015 Par-Troy East Senior Little League All Stars beat Dover 10-0 in six innings on Monday at Gallo Field after a seven-run explosion in the fourth inning.

PTE scored in the fourth on an RBI single by Claudia Bennett, an RBI single by Nicole Ruggiero, an RBI single by Luisa Barone, a two-run double by Eliz Quigley, an RBI single by Alivia Mercuro, and an RBI single by Caitlin Brennan. PTE was led by a flawless day at the plate by Bennett, who went 3-3 against Dover’s pitching. PTE’s Brennan kept Dover off the scoreboard for all six innings she was on the rubber. She pitched a shutout, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out eight. PTE didn’t relinquish the lead after scoring two runs in the second inning when it scored on a two-run single by Ruggiero.

Game 2 of the best of 3 series will be on Gallo Field on Tuesday, June 30 at 6:00. If PTE wins on Tuesday they will capture the District 1 Senior Crown and move on to sectionals next week against Triboro.

Christie takes the stage to Bon Jovi music

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie has been a lifelong Bruce Springsteen fan, and often enters his town hall meetings to the strains of his songs. But Tuesday morning, when Christie announced he is running for the 2016 Republican nomination for president, it was the music another New Jersey rock act that blared over the loudspeakers: Bon…