PARSIPPANY — Recently learned of the closure of Esporta, our fellow fitness center here in the Parsippany community. As members of the local business community, we understand the impact when a business leaves; it is never easy.
Esporta has been an integral part of our fitness landscape, and we recognize their contributions to our community members’ health and wellness. Their closure marks the end of an era, and we want to express our willingness to serve our community in any way possible.
At Crunch Parsippany, we firmly believe in the power of community and supporting one another during challenging times. As a result, we want to extend our open arms to Esporta’s current members, welcoming them to join our Crunch family. We understand that transitions can be difficult, but we are committed to making them seamless.
To all Esporta Parsippany members, we invite you to experience the vibrant atmosphere, state-of-the-art facilities, and wide range of fitness offerings that Crunch Parsippany provides. Our dedicated team of fitness professionals is ready to assist you on your fitness journey, offering the same passion, support, and camaraderie you have expected.
In the spirit of community solidarity, we also encourage our existing Crunch members to reach out to any friends or acquaintances who may be affected by Esporta’s closure. Let’s come together to ensure everyone has a place to pursue their fitness goals and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Crunch Parsippany remains committed to serving our members and the Parsippany community. We will continue to uphold our mission of making serious fitness fun and fostering a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
For more information or to inquire about joining Crunch Parsippany, please visit our website by clicking here or calling (973) 794-3652. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms.
PARSIPPANY — Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck has recognized the academic achievements of two students from Parsippany by including them on the Honors Lists for the Spring 2023 semester. These students have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies and deserve recognition for their outstanding academic performance. The students are Kishan Patel and Kelin Flores Valenzuela.
Devoted to preparing world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey’s largest private university. It features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions, special programs, and status within the United Nations. For more information, www.fdu.edu.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School held its annual Senior Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 5. Below is the name of each scholarship winner and award presented to the Class of 2023.
Alpha Delta Kappa, Mimi Taylor-Veres Memorial Scholarship
Ella Manoff
American Legion Post #249: Aaron Leif Scholarship
Owen Barbrack
Asian American Club Leadership Award
Lilac Bancairen Shruti Joshi Riya Nair
Andrew J. Quinn Memorial Scholarship
Isabella Brisson
Band & Choir Service Award
Isabella Brisson
Band Service Awards
Dylan Chiu Gavin Iradi Sonali Shastri Matthew Yong
Brooklawn PTSA Alumni Scholarship
Leann Lombardi
Choir Service Awards
Isabella Arnold Marissa Becher Jaxen Bilgeshouse Dylan Franz Vaibhav Iyengar Kira King William Lanza Asher Paterno Adam Roman Mia Suarez
Class of 2023 Steering Committee: Helping Hand Award
Angela Chemparathy
Class of 2023 Steering Committee: Presidential Award
Lakshita Madhavan
Class of 2023 Steering Committee: Viking Hero Award
Vincent Paglucci
Coccia Foundation Italian Studies Student Grant
Isabella Arnold Isabella Brisson Ava Ignacio
County College of Morris Senior Scholarship
Alexandra Wilson
Denville Community Church Builder’s Fund Scholarship
Madison McGrath
Dorothy Davies Memorial Scholarship Sponsored by Intervale PTA
Kaylee DePietro
Emil Johnson Vocational Award
Kyle Kievit
Greg Puzio Scholarship, Sponsored by Eastlake School PTA
Rafael Gran Vaibhav Iyengar Keith Nguyen Jeremy Perlmutter Varun Rana Christopher Sostak
PHHS Salutatorian Award
Andrew Song
PHHS Student Council Senior Award
Jia Datwani Vaibhav Iyengar Adomas Vaitkus
PHHS Swim Team Booster Association Award
Kaylee DePietro Taylor Edmiston Isabella Ferdinandi Nicolas Iannucci Kelly Le Brandon Lyubarsky Priyesh Mistry Varun Rana Alexandra Soltys Finley Stevens Eric Yang Spark Yu
PHHS Valedictorian Award
Isabella Brisson
PHHS Victorious Viking Award
Ayush Patel
Phyllis Marzolf Memorial Scholarship, NJ District of Key Club International
Lakshita Madhavan
Rocco A. Cerbo Memorial Scholarship in Building Trades
Kyle Kievit
Sons of Italy-Basil Ricci Memorial Scholarships
Joseph Reilly
Spencer Savings Bank Scholarship
Kajal Sukhadia
SunRise ShopRite Continuing Education Grant
Christopher Sostak
The 200 Club of Morris County Scholarship
Brielle Bloch
The Betty and Thomas Kay Memorial Scholarship
Charles Love Alexandra Wilson
The Dr. Frank A. Calabria Memorial Scholarship
Vincent Paglucci
The Gus Picariello Scholarship, Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Wiebel
Tia Varghese
The Kanai Lal and Charu Bala Memorial Scholarship
Rebecca George Rose Gupta Gabrielle Lamdagan Lakshita Madhavan Joseph Reilly Shreya Shah
The Kate Russell Memorial Scholarship
Victoria Bruno
The Lew Ludwig Memorial Scholarship
Zachary Bolcar
The Rose Ciricillo Scholarship, Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Wiebel
Amanda Hoffman
Par-Troy West Little League: Tom Ladas Memorial Scholarship
Gabrielle Lamdagan
US Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award
Leann Lombardi Joseph Reilly
US Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award
sabella Brisson Andrew Song
US Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence
Dylan Chiu Christine Kim
Warwick Valley Quilters’ Guild: Phyllis Klein Scholarship
Gianna Antonacci
Wegmans Food Markets Scholarship
Alfonso Imperati
West Orange Elk’s Most Valuable Student Contest “Local” Award (Lodge #1590)
Laila Tatis
Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills Scholarship: College
Eric Fernandes Gabrielle Lamdagan Lakshita Madhavan Joseph Reilly
Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills Scholarship: Trade/Technical
PARSIPPANY — The Class of 2023’s Project Graduation extends heartfelt gratitude to all the supporters involved, including students, parents, and staff members. Their unwavering support has played a crucial role in the success of this activity. With immense appreciation, they express their thanks for the continued support provided.
The contributions received have been instrumental in offsetting expenses related to supplies, rental fees, and entertainment. Through the generosity of the supporters, the financial burden has been alleviated, allowing for a memorable and enjoyable Project Graduation experience for the Class of 2023.
Project Graduation in Parsippany stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the parents, students, and staff members, as well as the incredible support received from the community. The Class of 2023 wholeheartedly expresses their gratitude for the continued support that has made this endeavor a resounding success.
1 Sylvan Way LLC Onyx Equities Acorn Home Improvements Anthony and Sons Bakery Anthony Francos Applebees ArcMorris Baldwin Bagels Baldwin Pizzeria Group LLC Branchburg Sports Complex Brooklawn School PTA Buffalo Wild Wings Chipotle Lake Parsippany School Littleton School Intervale School Caggiano Orthodontics Central Middle School Cutting Edge Landscaping of NJ LLC Dunkin Donuts Election Fund of Michael J. dePierro Family Vision Associates, LLC Foodtown of Lake Hiawatha Frank Neglia, Parsippany Councilman FRWD Logistics LLC Garofalo O’Neill Ruggierio, LLC Greenspan Family Eyecare Hills of Troy Neighborhood Association Howards Bagels IHOP Intervale Elementary School Jersey Mikes of Hanover Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Knollwood Elementary School Lake Hiawatha Elementary School Lake Hiawatha Swim Club Inc Lake Parsippany School Lenfam Management Company Lexus of Route 10 Little Viking Football Inc. Littleton Elementary School Morris Hills Veterinary Clinic Morris JV, LLC – c/o Onyx Management Group, LLC Mt. Tabor Elementary School Northvail Elementary School Panera Parsippany Foot & Ankle LLC Parsippany Soccer Club, Inc. Parsippany-Troy Hills Elks Lodge No. 2078 Paul Miller Porsche Pomptonian Priola Funeral Service, Inc. Rockaway Meadow Elementary School Rutgers Builders Saint Peter the Apostle Church Samantha Rice Senthil Mahalingam and Kavipriya Senthil Kumar Severna Operations, Inc. ShopRite of Parsippany Stop and Shop Target Parsippany The Good Apple Company The Michael Konner Corporation Tri-County Orthopedics Troy Hills Elementary SchoolU A Pipefitters Local 274 of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 10184 Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills
MORRIS COUNTY — Once again, the cost of postage for domestic letters is increasing. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced a three-cent hike, bringing the price of a first-class mail stamp to 66 cents. This adjustment follows a previous increase less than six months ago in January. Since 2018, the cost of stamps has risen by a total of 13 cents.
The USPS is implementing these price hikes as part of a strategy to counter inflationary pressures and the decline in first-class mail volumes. In January, stamp prices were raised from 60 cents to 63 cents, and now they will experience a further increase of 5.4% with the approval of the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Stamp prices have seen a significant increase of 32% since early 2019 when they were raised from 50 cents to 55 cents. According to the USPS, these adjustments are necessary to generate much-needed revenue for the Postal Service. The volume of first-class mail has declined by 3% in the past year, reaching its lowest level in 50 years, and it has dropped by 51% since 2006.
First-class mail represents the mail class that contributes the most revenue to the USPS, accounting for $24.2 billion, which is approximately 31% of the total revenue of $78.8 billion in 2022. To mitigate projected losses, the USPS has implemented regular price increases, implemented reforms, and received financial relief from Congress. These measures have resulted in cutting projected losses by over half through 2031.
MORRIS COUNTY — A resident of Lincoln Park, identified as Luis Campos, has been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old child in his vehicle earlier this year. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes provided this information. Campos was arrested on June 28 and is facing charges of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
According to officials, the incident took place on January 7 in Paterson. It was reported to the Elmwood Park Police on the same day, who referred the case to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. Witnesses, including the victim, were interviewed throughout the investigation, and physical evidence was collected.
Campos had a detention hearing on July 5, where a Superior Court judge granted a motion to detain him pending trial. Valdes stated that the Honorable Justine A. Niccollai, J.S.C. approved the State’s request for Campos’ pretrial detention at the hearing.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information about the alleged crime to contact the prosecutor’s tip line at 1-877-370-PCPO.
Campos may face parole supervision for life and be required to register under Megan’s Law if convicted. Valdes provided the potential sentencing exposure for each charge:
First-degree kidnapping: 25 years to life in New Jersey State Prison, with a 25-year parole disqualifier.
First-degree aggravated sexual assault: 10–20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent of the term to be served before parole eligibility, following the No Early Release Act.
Second-degree sexual assault: 10–20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent of the term to be served before parole eligibility, following the No Early Release Act.
Third-degree endangering the welfare of a child: 5–10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — In a contentious election in Parsippany, Mayor James Barberio emerged as the victor and was elected as the GOP municipal chairman, defeating Board of Education President Susy Golderer by a narrow margin of four votes, with a final tally of 30-26. The intense nature of the election raises the possibility of the matter being taken back to the Superior Court.
Interestingly, the county committee members were not allowed to cast their votes anonymously, deviating from the usual practice.
Several committee members expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of adherence to “Robert’s Rules of Order” during the proceedings. Attorney Alan Zankin, who was present, did not permit any motions to be heard, further fueling their discontent.
Alan J. Zakin, Esq.
Attorney Peter King expressed his surprise and disappointment at being denied entry to the meeting despite representing Susy Golderer, while Attorney Alan Zakin was granted access. He also raised concerns about the active participation of a uniformed Parsippany Police Officer in the election, questioning who authorized and funded the officer’s presence, particularly considering the mayor’s involvement. King further wondered if taxpayer money was utilized to pay for the officer’s involvement.
Barberio takes over the position from Dee dePierro, who assumed the role in July 2022 but did not seek to continue in the position. dePierro succeeded Louis Valori after his resignation. However, Judge Stuart Minkowitz’s recent ruling mandated the removal of twelve Republican county committee members appointed by dePierro due to improper procedures. Consequently, these members were not eligible to participate in the election.
Peter King, Esq.
Barberio claimed that he extended an offer to Golderer for the position of Vice-Chair, but Golderer refuted his statement and denied that such an offer had been made.
John Beehler, who had lost his county committee bid in the June 6 primary, was allowed to vote, but the legalities of his voting are in question. Joseph Beyroutey emerged victorious over Beehler, securing a ten-vote lead with a final count of 57-47, during the election. Beyroutey had relocated to another district within Parsippany, resulting in Beehler, the second-place finisher, being granted the seat. If the winner of an election fails to meet the qualifying requirements, the seat is deemed vacant, and the election does not automatically go to the runner-up. An example highlighting this is Republican Ana Pizutelli, who, in the heavily-Democratic 28th district, would have been the assemblywoman from 2006 to 2008. Pizutelli had lost the general election by over 20,000 votes to incumbent Donald Tucker (D-Newark), who unfortunately passed away three weeks before taking office. However, in this scenario, the 28th district Democrats chose a successor instead of awarding the seat to the runner-up.
Susy Golderer said “I was so proud of Justin Musella who is a young ambitious and hard-working politician. He was adamant about running for the chair position himself and after many conversations between us, he graciously accepted that in fact, it would be a conflict of interest. The possibility that his chair appointment would be misconstrued.”
Attorney Alan Zakin reviewed the results with Sandy Neglia.
State Senator Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville), Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Denville), and Morris County GOP Chair Laura Marie Ali threw their support behind Golderer. Notably, Barberio had previously endorsed primary opponents against Pennacchio and Bergen earlier this year, indicating a divided front within the party.
Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains) made an effort to broker an agreement that would have installed Barberio as the chairman and Golderer as the vice chair, but it did not come to fruition.
When Barberio took the new position, he immediately announced his team. Vice-Chair, Dee dePierro; Corresponding Secretary, Angela Stanton; Recording Secretary, Sandra Neglia; Parliamentary, Robert Quinn; Treasurer, John Beehler and Sargent of Arms, Frank Neglia.
“I firmly believe that individuals aspiring to run for a political position should not hold leadership positions within the committee responsible for supporting their own candidacy,” said Susy Golderer.
In the June 6 election, a total of 63 individuals were elected to the committee, leaving 15 seats vacant. On June 14, the Chair appointed 12 people, which resulted in a lawsuit being filed in the Morris County Superior Court.
Once the election was called, and Barberio became the new Chairman, the twelve appointees were then appointed to the county committee positions. (Click here to read related articles).
“There is no better community of people anywhere else than here in Parsippany and I’m beyond thankful for the privilege of leading this amazing Committee,” said Mayor James R. Barberio. “Now we are focused on strengthening and uniting the party and I look forward to working with all Committee members to build a party that puts Parsippany first for Parsippany and by Parsippany.”
Golderer continued “Many committee members said they wanted to vote for me, but because there was no committee vote allowed for the rules which mandated only a voice vote we could not vote on a private vote and voter anonymity was not protected. Some members were afraid of retaliation from the other side. The fact that there are sides is sad enough, but to be afraid to vote your conscience and have your own opinion because of retaliation is heartbreaking.”
“I felt like I was in a communist country where citizens, in this case the membership had no rights. A democratic vote was denied, and Robert’s Rules were not followed or allowed during the meeting.We were dictated to, and my designated counselor was not allowed to be present during the voting process.Regardless of who he was. I have a right to legal representation.”
“I don’t mind losing because everyone has a right to their vote and there is always a winner and loser in a race and competition is good, but to have lost in a rigged election is proof that the Republican Party in our town needs a big shake-up. In Parsippany, the registered democrats now outnumber us by 800 voters just in the last two years,” continued Golderer.
“The rules were introduced without a formal vote by the membership, and motions were rejected by both the chair and the committee’s legal representative, despite not being elected for their positions. The events of the previous night involved instances of voter intimidation, aggressive behavior, and authoritarian decision-making. Such actions do not contribute to the goal of unifying the party, in my opinion,” said Susy Golderer.
In the 2023 Primary, Robert Peluso and BettyLou DeCroce ran for Assembly. While Barberio supported DeCroce, he did not extend his support to Peluso. Unfortunately, both candidates were unsuccessful in winning the election.
Committee Member Robert Peluso’s vote in favor of Barberio carried an intriguing dynamic. Peluso, who has already filed his ELEC report to run for Mayor in 2025 against Barberio, opted to support Barberio in the election. Similarly, Peluso’s wife, Ildiko, followed suit and cast her vote in favor of Barberio as well.
This decision by Peluso is notable considering that Barberio did not endorse him during the recent primary when Peluso was vying for a seat in the Assembly. Instead, Barberio threw his support behind Jay Webber and BettyLou DeCroce.
Barberio and Peluso have a history of electoral competition. In the 2017 GOP primary, Peluso challenged Barberio for the mayoral seat, and Barberio narrowly prevailed, winning by a margin of approximately 375 votes out of more than 5,100 votes cast.
Both the newly elected officers and the county committee members will hold their positions until the primary election in 2025.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated Saturday, July 8 at 10:00 a.m.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Warrants and Special Investigations Section is reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying the individuals responsible for a theft incident. During the Garden State Comic Fest at Mennen Sports Arena in Morris Township on Sunday, June 25, between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., a cash box containing approximately $500.00 was stolen from a vendor.
The female suspect is described as a Hispanic female in her 30s, wearing a white Calvin Klein t-shirt, black sweatpants, and a white hat. The male suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late 30s, wearing a grey Aeropostale shirt, grey sweatpants, and a black hat.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers. You can click here to submit information or call (973) COP-CALL. Alternatively, you can use the “P3 Tips” app on any mobile device. Remember, your anonymity is guaranteed, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00.
PARSIPPANY — During the 2023 Spring Semester at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, Anna Terhune has been recognized for her outstanding academic performance and named to the Dean’s List.
The Wall College of Business at the university congratulated Anna, who is a Marketing Major and presented her with an award in recognition of this prestigious accomplishment.
Anna, a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School in 2022, has achieved this high honor and distinction for her remarkable academic achievement.
Coastal Carolina University is a comprehensive, public liberal arts institution in Conway, South Carolina. More than 10,000 students from across the country and the world interact with world-class faculty and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 145 student clubs and organizations.
