PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School graduate Czar Sepe is participating in his first-ever race (let alone a 5k) in support of Special Olympics Massachusetts! Sepe is a resident of Lake Parsippany. He graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in 2017.
Suspicious Incident at Bus Stop
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department was advised of a suspicious incident that occurred on March 30, 2022, at approximately 7:00 a.m. involving an unidentified male at one of the bus stops in the Tabor Road area.
The male drove up to a juvenile female waiting for her school bus and asked her if she needed a ride. The male approached the juvenile in a newer style gray minivan (unknown license plate). He is described as being tan in complexion, possibly in his twenties, wearing a black baseball cap and face mask with stars printed on it. He then drove away after she boarded the school bus.
This incident remains under investigation by the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division. If you have any information regarding this incident, we ask that you contact our Communications Center at 973-263-4300 extension 0.
Below is an important reminder from Superintendent of Schools, Barbara Sargent:
“Keeping our children safe is always of paramount importance. We urge you to be vigilant in making your children wary of strangers. Please let them know to tell an adult immediately if an incident occurs and to try to get a license number if at all possible. Any incident needs to be reported immediately to a responsible adult and the police should always be notified.”
Sheriff’s Office charges Morristown man for bringing Firearm into County Building
MORRIS COUNTY — On Monday, March 21, officers of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Morristown man with Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, a crime of the third degree, and Certain Persons Not to Possess a Firearm, a crime of the second degree at the Morris County Courthouse Complex. (Click here to read the previous post in Parsippany Focus)
At approximately 10:43 a.m., William Cole, 53, entered through the security checkpoint at the entrance to the Morris County Administration & Records Building located at 10 Court Street for an appointment with his probation officer. After placing his belongings in an assigned container to be X-rayed, Morris County Sheriff’s Officer Frank Pirog screened the items through the machine.
He discovered that Cole was in possession of a modified pistol concealed in Cole’s backpack. Further investigation determined it to be a BB gun, which Cole surrendered to Officer Pirog.
Cole was charged on a complaint warrant and remains lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility.
Entrances to the Morris County Courthouse Complex are heavily monitored by surveillance cameras and uniformed Morris County Sheriff’s Officers, who are trained to operate metal detectors and X-Ray machines that expose weapons, real and imitation. Signs are clearly posted at all entrances that weapons are not permitted in the Courthouse Complex buildings.
“The Morris County Sheriff’s Office continues to uphold the safety and security in and around the Morris County Courthouse Complex with aggressive, proactive security safeguards. People who bring illegal weapons to the area will be caught and charged,” said Sheriff James M. Gannon.
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.
April Fools Joke? Or Is It Real? Soriano Hired by Dover
PARSIPPANY — In a video on Former Mayor James Dodd’s Facebook Page, he states Former Mayor Michael Soriano was hired as the “Town Administrator in the Town of Dover.” Here is a copy of the video posted on Facebook.
Parsippany Focus reached out to Former Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano and he said “Believing in rumors and spreading them is harmful to everyone involved, including the person spreading them. It’s an interesting coincidence that this was posted on April 1st. I don’t know where Mayor Dodd got his misinformation from, but it looks like he fell for an April Fool’s Joke. Well, the joke is on him. I already have a job, and it is outside of Morris County. Dover is a great town, however, I am not now, nor will I ever work in Dover Townhall.”
Happy April Fool’s Day.
Godfather Parsippany Holds Ribbon Cutting Celebration
PARSIPPANY — The Godfather recently held their ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new Parsippany location. They are located in the Troy Hills Shopping Center, 1125 Route 46.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Frank Cahill, and Vice-Chairman Dr. Bhagirath Maheta joined owners, James, Jason, and Jerry Forte.
Also joining in the celebration were Councilman Justin Musella, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., and Councilman Frank Neglia, Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen, Commissioner Stephen Shaw, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso, Board Members Ildiko Peluso, and Nicolas Limanov.
The Godfather was originally founded in 1975 by Jerry Forte in East Hanover.
He brought all of the “old world” values, traditions, and recipes over from Bisaccia, Italy with him.
Since then, The Godfather has been bringing all of Northern NJ’s authentic Italian food and pizza to the delight of the masses for over 47 years. They have since opened a second location in Morristown back in 2014, and now proudly present their third location here in lovely Parsippany.
They are thrilled to serve this community our restaurant-quality pasta, seafood, and pizza for takeout and delivery for years and years to come. We thank everyone for all the kind words, wishes, and support we’ve received through these rough post-pandemic times that sadly took a toll on the entire restaurant industry.
“We thank the town of Parsippany for welcoming us with open arms. Our sincerest gratitude to all of you,” said James Forte.
The Godfather Parsippany is located at 1125 Route 46. (973) 794-4200. Click here to view the website.
The Godfather East Hanover is located at 200 Route 10. (973) 887-4830. Click here to view the website.
The Godfather Morristown is located at 10 Lafayette Avenue. (862) 260-9500. Click here to view the website.
Morris County Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Spring With Signature Events
MORRIS COUNTY — Spring brings more than April flowers and May Day, as the Morris County Chamber of Commerce is welcoming in the warmer weather with several signature events open to both members and the general public.
The chamber will host the 29th Annual Partners in Economic Development Awards Tuesday, April 19, at the Hyatt Regency Morristown. The theme of the event is ESG IMPACT: environmental, social, and governance. ESG criteria are an increasingly popular way for investors to evaluate companies and addressing ESG requires tremendous coordination to align on issues from climate change to human rights to transparent accounting. The chamber has invited corporate leaders who are succeeding in this space to share their best ideas when it comes to the environment, sustainability and governance. The keynote speaker will be Angela Ortiz, director of ESG & Sustainability at Public Service Enterprise Group, who leads the development and implementation of the sustainability, ESG, and climate strategies at a corporate level. The luncheon also will feature a panel discussion and the 2022 awards for the largest real estate transactions of 2020 and 2021. For more information or to register click here.
The chamber will host 16th Annual Not for Profit Conference on Thursday, April 28, at the Hilton Parsippany. The event, this year titled “Reconnecting and Rebuilding: Lessons Learned,” will feature keynote speaker Jonathan R. Pearson, director of corporate social responsibility and executive director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. There also will be a panel discussion with local nonprofit leaders and a 2022 Not For Profit Excellence Awards presentation. For more information or to register click here.
Then the chamber’s Annual Golf Classic will be held on Monday, June 6, at Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The day of networking and golf includes lunch, golf, a cocktail reception, a dinner buffet, the Business and Community Service Award ceremony, and a silent auction. Non-golfers are welcome to join just the evening festivities. For more information or to register click here.
Also planned are the Legislative Luncheon on April 29, with the presentation of the Alex DeCroce Public Service and Leadership Award to Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and a Women in Business luncheon on May 18. To learn more about any of these events and/or to register, please visit the chamber’s website click here, and go to Events.
“These signature events of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce are excellent opportunities for both members and guests to gather, network, and learn,” said Meghan Hunscher, chamber president. “They also give guests a wonderful feel for what the chamber has to offer businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. Please join us.”
The Morris County Chamber of Commerce has more than 700 member organizations that range from entrepreneurs and small businesses to large corporations and Fortune 500 companies. The chamber’s mission is to collaboratively advance the interests of its members to champion a thriving business and community environment. The chamber’s many events, meetings, and seminars provide a platform for its members to connect, collaborate, learn and succeed. The chamber is dedicated to the advancement of Morris County’s businesses and community by providing services, information, and advocacy to support the success of its member organizations. They are headquartered in Florham Park.
Morris County Honors Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners presented a “Resolution of Honor” last night to the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce, recognizing and praising the organization’s more than 30 years of service to the community.
“The Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce began in 1989 as an idea. That idea became an organization that is now nationally and internationally known for its work promoting and advancing the interests of Hispanic-American small business owners, professionals, and organizations within Morris County and across the nation,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen as he presented the framed resolution during the board’s public meeting.
The resolution noted the Chamber has been repeatedly praised as one of the “Best Chambers in the Northeast,” including at last year’s Annual Convention of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“We are grateful for the recognition of the work of our Board of Directors, our corporate advisory council, and our advisors for all we do for our neighbors and our community,” said Ralph Tejeda, Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors, additionally thanking the Commissioners for the Morris County Small Business Grant Program launched last month.
Apply at No-Cost for Up To $15,000 in Small Businesses Grants. (Click here for more information)
“We represent the Hispanic population in Morris County, which is currently 14 percent, as well as support the 9,000 minority business owners in this county. We have a lot to do and we look forward to collaborating with the private sector and the government institutions to make progress for all,” Tejeda added.
Chamber leaders in attendance included Esperanza Field, who co-founded the organization and holds the title of President Emeritus.
Also participating were her daughters, Christina Field, who is Vice-Chair and Foundation President, and Hope Field, Chair of the Chamber’s Corporate Advisory Council and past president. Chamber Directors in attendance included Robert Medina, Oscar Vargas, Pablo Garita, and Madeline Que. Also participating was Karel Alvarez, Secretary to the Board and a U.S. Army Veteran.
Commissioner Douglas Cabana, the longest-serving member of the Board of Commissioners, recalled the emergence of the Chamber over the past three decades.
“I remember when Esperanza came before us with this idea, and now look. All your hard effort and work paid off with a very successful organization, and I am glad we were able to support you and we will continue to support you because the backbone of our economy here in Morris County and the U.S. is a small business,” Cabana said.
The resolution presented to the Chamber recognized and commended the organization for more than 30 years of outstanding service to the community, and wished “the very best in continuing its wonderful work for many years to come.”
Nursing Home Deaths Demand Senate Investigation
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio reacted to word that the Senate Democrats will launch a special legislative committee to review delays with legal marijuana sales in the state, reiterating calls for a Senate Select Committee investigation of nursing home deaths during the pandemic.
“The Legislature is going to get to the bottom of legal pot paralysis. While we’re at it, let’s get rolling with a bipartisan panel to examine the policies and decisions that may have contributed to 10,000 COVID-related nursing home deaths,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Prioritizing an investigation into the shortcomings of legal marijuana in New Jersey is an insult to the souls lost in nursing homes and their loved ones. It makes no sense.
“It shouldn’t be ‘either/or.’ The horrible loss of life in senior care facilities across the state reflects the heart-breaking failure of a system intended to protect our most vulnerable citizens,” Pennacchio continued.
Since May 11, 2020, when he announced his resolution to form a bipartisan investigative Senate Select Oversight Committee, Pennacchio has pressed Democrats to consider the factors behind the nursing home carnage, including a directive from the Administration requiring facilities to admit patients with COVID and prohibiting them from testing residents for the virus.
“We need to understand what was going on inside the nursing homes, and how directives from the Administration impacted the level of patient care and the spread of the virus inside locked-down, isolated facilities. There’s no reason the Senate can’t scrutinize both issues,” said Pennacchio.
“The families who lost loved ones during the pandemic are desperate for answers. With bipartisan support, we can address their questions and take steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” the Senator concluded.
Trash Clean-Up Attracts Over 50 Volunteers to Help
PARSIPPANY — A few years ago, Lake Hiawatha resident Jacqueline Corvino noticed a bunch of trash all over the streets of her beloved neighborhood in the town that she loved. She started picking up trash along her daily walks, bit by bit. After she realized that wasn’t making enough of a difference, she started spending her Saturdays doing the same thing on a much larger scale.
Her trash clean-up effort started to get legs, attracting all kinds of residents who cared about cleaning up Parsippany.
On Saturday, Councilman Justin Musella spearheaded a day of trash clean up and over fifty volunteers showed up to help.
“I’ve never met anyone so selfless as Jackie. She has no personal agenda. She just wants Parsippany to be clean and restored to its natural beauty.”, said Musella
Mayor Barberio, who also attended, gave a Mayoral shout out to the Parsippany Green Team, SEWA USA volunteers, and Township residents, “Thank you for cleaning up the Park and Ride on Route 46 and helping to bring back the Pride in Parsippany”.
Two Mendham women, Sarah Niebert and Christine Myers also answered the call to help. They are running this June for Morris County Commissioner.
Easter Bunny To Visit Parsippany Town Hall
PARSIPPANY — The bunny will visit Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Building from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2 for photos and handing out treats to children.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Building is located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.