Many Supporters Attended DeCroce’s Successful Fundraiser

PARSIPPANY — BettyLou DeCroce recently held a fundraiser at her residence. Many local dignitaries and friends attended the packed house and enjoyed delicious food, including sushi, mini burgers, and steak, among other items catered by Brownstone, Paterson.

John Davis, Staci Grant and Patrick “PJ” Cassidy were among the many guests at a private fundraiser at the DeCroce residence.

BettyLou DeCroce served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2012 to 2022 and is seeking to reclaim the 26th district State Assembly seat.

“We desperately need to elect effective conservatives to the state legislature,” DeCroce said.  “Speeches on the statehouse floor are not changing anything, but an informed and energized electorate will.”

Lake Parsippany Resident Danny Desai with Davey Willans
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Loretta Gragnani, Vice President Michael dePierro, DeCroce and Delores dePierro, Parsippany-Troy Hills Republican Committee Chair.

The state continues to slide deeper into trouble under Democratic leadership,” said DeCroce.  “Working people need representatives in Trenton who will put in the extra work it takes to make positive changes in their lives.  I am committed to making those changes.”

“Government is what I do,” she said. “Government is what I love, what I know best. I know it inside and out.”

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Vice President Michael dePierro, Parsippany-Troy Hills Republican Committee Chair Delores dePierro, DeCroce and Nicolas Limanov.

The new District 26 includes the following municipalities: Morris  County: Boonton Denville, East Hanover, Hanover, Florham Park, Lincoln Park, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Morris Plains, Parsippany, Pequannock, and Riverdale. In Passaic County: Bloomingdale, Pompton Lakes, Ringwood, & Wanaque.

Morris County Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo and Paul “PJ” Johannesen
BettyLou DeCroce and Parsippany resident Ted Stanziale
Vincent Fox, DeCroce, Brian Murray, and Former Morris County Republican Chair John Sette
Rob Zwigard with Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Loretta Gragnani

 

Jury Finds Urbina Guilty of Murder

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally confirmed a jury has found Edwin Urbina, 29, formerly of Morristown, guilty on all charges related to the beating death of his girlfriend’s three-year-old son, Liam Christian.

Three-year-old Liam Christian

Following a seven-day trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict on March 1, 2023. The defendant was found guilty of first-degree Murder with an Aggravating Factor, three counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, third-degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, two counts of third-degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence. The sentencing has been scheduled before the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr., on March 16, 2023. The defendant will remain in custody until that time.

On August 13, 2021, shortly after 5:00 a.m., officers from the Morristown Police Department responded to the Morristown Medical Center in Morristown on a report of a three-year-old boy in cardiac arrest. A subsequent investigation revealed that Liam Christian had sustained a number of physical injuries. Following an autopsy, Morris County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Carlos Fonseca, M.D., determined the manner of death to be a homicide.

Crime scene at OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10, East Hanover

The investigation revealed that Urbina fatally beat the child in the early morning of August 13, resulting in the boy’s death, while at the OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10 West in East Hanover. The investigation further revealed that the victim’s five-year-old sibling witnessed the murder. Further investigation revealed that the victim’s mother, Krystal Straw, 29, was absent during the assault but arrived at the hotel shortly thereafter. Following the victim’s death, both Urbina and Straw acted to hinder the State’s investigation, including removing Urbina and his personal belongings from the OYO Hotel, deleting cell phone content, and informing the victim’s five-year-old sibling not to speak about the incident.

Crime scene at OYO Hotel, 130 Route 10, East Hanover

The investigation also revealed that Urbina had physically abused the victim on prior occasions.

On August 17, 2021, Urbina was taken into custody without incident outside the Morris County Records and Administration Building in Morristown. Straw was previously charged and arrested on August 13 concerning this incident. Both Urbina and Straw remained in the Morris County Correctional Facility during the pendency of their criminal cases.

On January 12, 2023, Straw, 29, appeared before Judge Taylor and entered an open plea of guilty to two counts of second-degree Endangering Welfare of a Child, three counts of third-degree Hindering Apprehension, third-degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth-degree Tampering with Physical Evidence. Straw will remain in custody until her sentencing hearing, also scheduled before Judge Taylor on March 16, 2023.

Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation that led to the successful guilty verdict, the exhaustive efforts of the East Hanover Police Department, the Morristown Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and various Units in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in working together to investigate this incident leading to the guilty verdict. The Prosecutor would also like to thank Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wang and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Sandler, who tried this case in court, and MCPO Detective Matthew Belcastro and East Hanover Det. Lt. Andrew Underwood for their outstanding efforts in the prosecution of this case.

New Detective Joins Morris County Prosecutor’s Office

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally confirmed the hiring of Michael J. Thompson as Detective for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Detective Thompson was sworn in at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on February 27. He has been assigned to the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit within the Tactical Division.

Before joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Detective Thompson served the Washington Township Police Department since 2008 as a Patrol Officer, Narcotics/Patrol Canine Handler, and Detective. He also previously worked as the general store and loss prevention manager of Sears.

Detective Thompson has attended Centenary University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the Morris County Police Training Academy and has completed numerous professional training courses. Detective Thompson has been recognized with several commendations, including the 200 Club of Morris County Meritorious Team Award, the Senate and General Assembly Award for Exceptional Duty, and two Senate and General Assembly Unit Citations.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “We are pleased to have such a decorated officer joining our investigative staff of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Detective Thompson’s demonstrated skillset, and law enforcement commendations make him a welcome and highly-qualified addition to our team.

Cornerstone Celebrates Grand Opening

PARSIPPANY — Cornerstone First Mortgage celebrated the opening of its new offices at Six Century Drive, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, on Thursday, February 24.

Sharif Shamsudin, the owner, has been in the business for 22 years. He is a graduate of Parsippany High School. He chose this new location because he wanted to return to Parsippany since this is the town he grew up in.

Wahead Shamsudin, a Parsippany High School graduate, has been with Sharif since the beginning. Sharif owes a lot of credit to his brother for helping him through the tough times and being the best at finding solutions. Wahead is the Branch Manager whose main focus is day-to-day sales.

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development presented Sharif Shamsudin with a plaque thanking him for choosing Parsippany.

“I’ve known Sharif Shamsudin for years, he is an astute businessman, and I wish him well in his new location. Bringing and keeping small and large businesses to the community is key to Parsippany’s economic growth. I wish Cornerstone Mortgage much success,” said Mayor James Barberio.

Cornerstone offers first-time homebuyer loans and various loan products to fit customers’ needs. Sharif has a team dedicated to finding a loan, no matter the situation.

Patrick Minutillo, Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella, Sharif, Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee Chairman Frank Cahill, and Economic Development member Scott Donnelly.

Sharif is an Executive Member of the Parsippany Soccer Board and a former elected official with the Board of Education.

“I thank my beautiful wife of 15 years, Zeba, and my wonderful daughters, Raihanna, 14, Deyana, 12, and Madina, 10,” said Sharif.

I like to give back to the community by sponsoring local sports teams and tricky trays. I was so happy to see so many faces come out to the Grand Opening, and I look forward to working with the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce to host many events.

You can reach Shaif by calling (973) 902-9932.

Plenty of hors d’oeuvres were served to the many guests who attended the celebration.
Plenty of hors d’oeuvres were served to the many guests who attended the celebration.

What Should We Know about THCP Products in 2023?

MORRIS COUNTY —It is no secret that products infused with THC-P have recently skyrocketed in popularity. This is despite the fact that the first major research on this endocannabinoid was carried out as far back as 2019. The result of the study on a molecule was posted to the NIH site by Italian researchers. The manufacturing of goods containing this component has begun right from that point. Due to their unique properties, they shot to fame in the cannabis industry quite quickly, and this tendency continues to date.

Nowadays, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll find someone in the cannabis world who hasn’t known of the THCP molecule, as THC-P products are popular and highly desired for three years now. It’s because the compound has a reputation as the strongest cannabinoid on the market. That fact isn’t believed for no reason by cannabis experts or even people just starting out in the industry. The truth is that the molecule’s effects are more potent in comparison to all other cannabis plant components. This post will explain the THCP’s potency and define it in general. You will learn about the products infused with it and the legal issues surrounding the compound.

What Is THC-P and How Strong Is It?

THC-P (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol) is a fairly young hemp-derived molecule. The compound is one of 140 phytocannabinoids thought to occur naturally in the cannabis plant. Considering the compound’s full name, it can be stated that it’s closely connected to delta-9 or THC. The concentrations of THCP in some cannabis plants are significantly lower than 0.1%. As a point of reference, the quantities of THC found in marijuana range from 25–30%, while those found in hemp are about 0.3% or lower.

However, don’t let the concentration levels confuse you when it comes to the delivered effects. Even though delta-9 is the most classic of all cannabinoids, it has only five carbons, while THCP contains seven. That means that the alkyl side chains of THC-P are significantly longer than those of THC. Hence, the compound binds more securely to endocannabinoid system receptors.

How does all that explain the molecule’s potency? When the component works on the receptors of the ECS, that process activates what users call a “high” feeling. According to what is stated above, THCP is more potent at binding to the receptors than delta-9. However, to be specific, it’s 33 times more effective at attaching to the CB1 receptors and reported to connect 5–10 times more effectively to the CB2 receptors. That’s why even a significantly smaller quantity of tetrahydrocannabiphorol is required compared to THC to have an impressive effect on the ECS.

Is THC-P Legal?

According to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, signed by Congress, THC-P is lawful on a federal level. That is true, provided the molecule is derived from the hemp plant. The last one is defined as a cannabis plant with amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol of no more than 0.3 percent.

However, some states may decide to prohibit the use of THC-P in the near future. The same was with the delta-8 molecule when linkages to the Federal Analog Act were found. Consequently, it can be declared to date that THC-P and products containing it are legal on the federal level but are, so to speak, in a gray zone. It’s, therefore, advisable to review the laws and regulations in your state in advance.

What Are the Best THC-P Products?

The assortment of products infused with THCP is constantly growing. However, that growth is about adding different tastes, taste mixes, and bundle options when the products’ classification can be divided into several items.

Vapes transform e-liquid into clouds of vapor. There are two kinds of vapes: ones that can be refilled and those that have to be thrown away after each use (disposables). When considering the material being vaporized, there are dry herbs and concentrates. Vape pens can be divided into those with and without a box mod.

Wax dabs contain THCP distillate wax concentrates. They typically have a higher potency, with faster and longer-lasting effects. By using a dab rig and keeping the temperature under control, dabbing makes it possible to taste all the flavors in the concentrate.

Tinctures are supposed to be consumed sublingually. Those interested in maintaining control over the dosage can consider using them. On the other hand, tinctures are an excellent choice for individuals looking for both potent and long-lasting effects.

What Is the Best Way to Consume THC-P?

The question about what is the finest way to consume tetrahydrocannabiphorol is a little tricky. The most important thing to do first is to determine needs and preferences. This entails determining whether one requires immediate effects, fast-acting or long-acting products, and one’s general attitude toward each type of consumption.

According to the user’s experience, vapes and edibles are the best ways to consume to date. Vapes are popular for their almost immediate effects, portability, convenience, the possibility of dosage regulation, and easy maintenance. Edibles usually come as gummies; they’re available in various tastes and deliver an effect that can be felt for several days after consumption.

Morris County Development Activity Report

Various crews install plywood sheathing in late January 2023 for the roof and the exterior walls of the Avalon Bay project in Montville, where 349 units are proposed.

MORRIS COUNTY — The annual Morris County Development Activity Report, detailing housing and commercial development in the county during 2022, has been completed and released by the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation.

The number of development applications remained steady in 2022 (300) compared to 2021 (301). The county saw a large increase in proposed new square footage for non-residential development in 2022. It was the first time since 2000 that the county received new applications amounting to more than 4 million square feet of floor area (4,811,659 square feet).

New applications for multi-family housing continued to be strong, with the third-highest total for new units in the last ten years (1,902 units). The predominance of applications targeted rental units, mostly luxury apartments with some affordable units.

Some highlights of the document include the following:
Of the 1,902 new proposed townhouse and apartment units, the two largest applications are Brookside (on Main Road) in Montville Township with 266 units and the proposed residential development (at East Blackwell Steet and South Salem Street) in the Town of Dover with 252 units.

Construction of the parking garage and related site work for the Avalon Bay Montville, July 2022.

The county has seen a major increase in new proposed warehousing square footage. The three largest new projects were all warehouse projects, Roxbury Commerce Center (multi-structure) 2,514,060 square feet, Parkview Business Center (multi-structure) 653,593 square feet, and IV 1 Logistics (single structure) 374,500 square feet.

Click here to view the 2022 Development Activity Report.

Two Campus Drive was demolished to make room for multi-unit housing.

American Legion to Host St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Dance

PARSIPPANY — American Legion Parsippanong Post 249 will hold their annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Dance on Saturday, March 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

They are serving Corned Beef with all the trimmings, buffet style. Dessert and coffee are included. DJ. Donation $25.00. Advanced ticket sales only.

Tickets are now on sale at the American Legion NJ Post 249 bar. They will also be having a 50/50 cash raffle that night, with tickets going on sale soon, also at the bar.

American Legion Parsippanong Post 249 is at 91 North Beverwyck Road, Lake  Hiawatha.

 

Video: Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – February 21, 2023

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – February 21, 2023.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2023 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

Mayor James R Barberio
Council President Loretta Gragnani
Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella

Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board Meeting – February 15, 2023

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board Meeting – February 15, 2023.

Click here to download the agenda.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment
2023 Members and Term Dates

  • Robert Iracane        Chairman        12/31/26
  • Dave Kaplan            Vice-Chair       12/31/23
  • Bernard Berkowitz    Member         12/31/24
  • Scot Joskowitz         Member        12/31/25
  • Nancy Snyder          Member         12/31/23
  • Sridath Reddy         Member          12/31/26
  • Davey Willans         Member          12/31/24
  • Casey Parikh           Alt. No. 1        12/31/23
  • Chris Mazzarella     Alt. No. 2         12/31/23
  • John Chadwick, Planner, John T. Chadwick IV P.P.
  • Chas Holloway, Engineer, Keller & Kirkpatrick
  • Peter King, Attorney, King Moench Hirniak & Collins, LLP
  • Nora O. Jolie, Board Secretary

 

Parsippany Launches New Website

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council approved a new website on Tuesday, February 21.

Alpha-Dog Solutions, 314 Washington Avenue, Belleville, is the new vendor who created and designed the site.

Alpha-Dog proudly designed and created other sites for Bergen County Clerk, Borough of Wood-Ridge, Lyndhurst, City of Union, City of Perth Amboy, Borough of North Arlington, NJ State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, and Roselle Everett Hatcher, among other municipalities.

The site is user-friendly. To view the new site, click here.