PARSIPPANY — Sons of Italy President Lou Amato stated “I would like to thank all of the lodge members who contributed to this successful day. A very special thank you to Golf Committee Chairman, Jim Torsiello as well as Bob Wilhalme and Joe Jannarone for their significant contributions. Without them, the event could not have taken place.”
Sons of Italy holds successful Golf Outing
Boy Scout Troop 72 participate in Rain Garden Clean up at Town Hall
PARSIPPANY — The rain garden clean up at Parsippany Town Hall was sponsored by the
Whippany River Watershed Action Committee. Boy Scout Troop 72, along with
their leaders and parents, from Parsippany provided the crew along with a
few Morris County residents, including Ingrid Whitty our rain garden expert,
and Don Covart from Fox Hollow Landscaping who donated 2 tons of river rock.
Any Parsippany or Morris County residents who are interested in volunteering
for a future rain garden clean-up can contact Len Cipkins at 973-229-8740 or
lenprguy@optimum.net.
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Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany had visitors from Florida
PARSIPPANY — Joining the members of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany last week for breakfast were Yanelly Pavon and Eduardo Martinez from Hialeh, Florida.
Eduardo was in New Jersey to visit the college which he will be attending this fall, Montclair State University. Yanelly joined Eduardo on his journey to New Jersey.
Eduardo has been very active in Youth Coop Key Club, Mater Academy Key Club, City of Hialeah Ed Key Club, Latin Builders Academy Key Club and Lieutenant Governor Division 25A. Eduardo also recently attended the Florida Key Club District Convention.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill welcomed both guests to our club and they were able to see how we do things, then they had the opportunity to tell Parsippany members all of their exciting events happening in Hialeh.
Yanelly is an active member of Kiwanis Club of Hialeh, Florida.
Girl Scouts and CCM Announce the Launch of New National STEM Badges
RANDOLPH — The Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey today announced the launch of 30 new national Girl Scout badges exclusively for girls ages 5–18 at County College of Morris (CCM), a nationally designated center of excellence for cybersecurity education.
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The badges, which are immediately available, not only enhance the one-of-a-kind Girl Scout experience, but also address some of society’s most pressing needs such as cybersecurity, environmental advocacy, mechanical engineering, robotics, computer science and space exploration.
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The announcement was made in partnership with CCM in recognition of the college’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. CCM is the only community college in New Jersey to hold that designation.
Nine of the 30 new Girl Scout badges focus on cybersecurity, and local Girl Scouts from Northern New Jersey worked on those badges at the launch event. As part of the rollout, CCM and the Girl Scouts plan to work together to offer program activities at the college’s Center for Cyber Security that will help girls earn their cybersecurity badges.
“At Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, we are working to give girls the skills they need to succeed in the real world and give them the opportunity to practice their leadership skills so they change the world,” said Betty Garger, Chief Executive Officer for Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. “We feel it is important to help fuel the pipeline for women leaders in the future. In order to do that, girls and young women need to participate in program activities that show them that they can become leaders in the STEM field and see their potential in changing the world.”
“CCM welcomes the opportunity to join with the Girl Scouts to educate girls and young women about the field of cybersecurity,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, President of CCM. “Career opportunities in this well-paying and rewarding field are growing, as the need for protecting information only becomes more critical. Teaching girls about this field at an early age is one of the most effective ways to increase the number of women in cybersecurity, while also showing them how to protect themselves and others online.”
Girls in grades K–5 can now earn badges in:
- Cybersecurity, introducing girls to age-appropriate online safety and privacy principles, information on how the internet works, and how to spot and investigate cybercrime.
- Space Science, enabling girls to channel their inner NASA scientist as they learn about objects in space and how astronomers conduct investigations.
- Environmental Stewardship, through which girls learn how to respect the outdoors and take action to protect the natural world.
- Mechanical Engineering for Girl Scout Juniors, through which girls in grades 4 and 5 design paddle boats, cranes, and balloon-powered cars, learning about buoyancy, potential and kinetic energy, machines, and jet propulsion.
The new programming for girls in grades 6–12 includes:
- Environmental Stewardship badges, GSUSA’s first-ever badge series focused on environmental advocacy. Girls in grades 6–12 prepare for outdoor experiences and take action on environmental issues.
- Badges that teach girls how to program, design and showcase robots, completing the suite of Robotics badges GSUSA first introduced for grades K–5 last year.
- The College Knowledge badge for Girl Scouts in grades 11 and 12, the first badge completely dedicated to college exploration. By showing girls how to research the admissions process, financial aid and other factors, the badge fills a specific need that girls asked for—and that many do not have support for outside of Girl Scouts.
- Two Girl Scout Leadership Journeys: Think Like a Programmer Journey provides a strong foundation in computational thinking and the framework for Girl Scouts’ first ever national Cyber Challenge, coming in 2019. The Think Like an Engineer Journey exposes girls to design thinking to help them understand how engineers solve problems.
Prepare your girl to unleash her inner strength. To join or volunteer click here.
To learn more about cybersecurity and other IT programs at CCM click here.
Girl Scouts is the premier leadership development program for girls. In Girl Scouts, girls discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to create positive change in their own communities. For more information about Girl Scouts, call the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey at (973) 248-8200.
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves girls ages 5-18 in 160 municipalities in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Northern Warren counties. There are currently over 25,000 girl members.
County College of Morris (CCM) is a nationally ranked community college offering more than 45 associate degree programs and a wide range of certificate programs. A dedicated faculty of leading experts in their fields provides CCM students with a learning environment that has produced one of the highest graduation and transfer rates among the state’s community colleges. Also included among its distinctions, CCM is the only community college in New Jersey to be named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. PayScale also has placed CCM as the number one community college in New Jersey based on the earnings of its graduates. Additionally, BestColleges.com has rated CCM as one of the state’s best community colleges, while Washington Monthly magazine has recognized CCM as a community college well suited for adult learners.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department 5 seeking volunteers
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5 is seeking volunteer firefighters. Volunteers must be a High School graduate or equivalent required (Unless 16 year old to 18 year old for the Junior Program) and Operating within the standards and guidelines of the NJ Division of Fire and Safety.
All volunteers must pass a physical exam by the District contracted doctor and follow the Board of Fire Commissioner application process.
The volunteer must have a strong desire & willingness to help others and the community; Passion and willingness to learn and understanding that by signing up you are committing to make a difference, no matter how small.
Requirements include : Must be willing to participate in community and/or fire department based events or fundraisers; Must be an active member of the fire department for six months before applying for Fire school; and must be in good standing for one year after joining the department, and possess your Firefighter I, and CPR certifications to be considered a “Full Member.”
All classes and certifications will be paid for by the department. Ability to train in a wide variety of different areas such as Structural Firefighting, Vehicle Extrication, Industrial Foam Firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Swift Water Rescue, Ice Rescue, and many other specialized areas. Ability to write off any expenses (including mileage) on your taxes each year. The experience looks great on any resume.
If you are interested contact us at secretary@parsippanyfiredistrict5.com or call (973) 227-2242 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Not sure about it and want to ask us some questions? No problem. Just stop by the firehouse on a Wednesday Night (rotating between Old Bloomfield Ave and South Beverwyck Road with the last Wednesday being a drill) between 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and talk to the officers and members about joining!
National Amateur Radio Contest held at Veterans Park
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Office of Emergency Management Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R.A.C.E.S.) volunteers participated in the National Emergency Communications Field Day Exercise this weekend, Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24. Last year the team took first place in the division. The final results for this year hasn’t been released.
All across North America Ham Radio operators take to the outdoors and set up emergency communication radio stations and operated them continuously for a 24 hour period, with the goal of successfully communicating with as many other stations participating in the event as possible.
Parsippany R.A.C.E.S. set up their emergency communications station at the Veterans Field Gazebo on Route 46, and operated their station from 2:00 p.m. Saturday to 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Tens of thousands of Ham Radio operators throughout the country participate in this annual event, in order to hone their skills in the event of an emergency situation.
Braving the rains as might be the case during a real emergency, members contacted over 1000 other operators around the country even as far away as California, in this grueling 24 hour event.
Assistant Radio Officer Al Goldberg stated “On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank all the R.A.C.E.S. support for making another successful field day with over 1,000 contacts. I would like to thank Michael Hartmann for his decade of services to the Parsippany R.A.C.E.S. team and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavors.”
Mayor Michael Soriano stopped by both days to observe and wish luck to the operators participating in the contest and check on the results. Councilman Mike dePierro stopped by bringing coffee and donuts for the evening crew. Former Council Vice President Robert Peluso also stopped by to wish the operators luck. Parsippany-Troy Hills Office of Emergency Management Director Captain Jay Weiners operated on the air during the event.
For questions and inquiries, contact Eric Hubner at (973) 390-0192 Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
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Murphy Signs Legislation Banning Smoking at Public Beaches and Parks
TRENTON — Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation prohibiting smoking at public beaches and parks in New Jersey. The bill, S-2534, updates the “New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act of 2006.”
Recovered Stolen Motor Vehicle
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers were advised by police dispatch that they received a report of a vehicle being driven without tires in the area of Route 53. While Patrol Officer Andrew Van Orden was responding to a higher priority call, he observed the vehicle, a 2011 Toyota Prius, stopped on Route 10 East at Johnson Road. This incident occurred on Thursday, July 19 at 10:46 a.m.
Patrol Officer Thomas Armenti arrived on scene and conducted a check on the vehicle plate, which returned a response that the vehicle was stolen.
He observed that the passenger side had two heavily damaged tires, along with considerable damage to the passenger side body of the vehicle.
As Officer Armenti approached the vehicle to check the interior he found Juan Abreu, 31, Freeport, NY, in the fetal position in the backseat of the vehicle attempting to conceal himself.
Mr. Abreu was immediately removed from the vehicle and was placed under arrest. He was also found to be in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a vapor pen containing suspected T.H.C. oil, and a switchblade knife.
Freeport Village Police (New York) were contacted and advised that vehicle was located. The vehicle was entered as stolen by the Freeport Village Police Department (NY) after it was stolen from the parking lot of an automotive repair shop in their jurisdiction.
Mr. Abreu was transported to police headquarters and processed. During processing he originally gave arresting officers a false name and date of birth. His true identity was confirmed after he was fingerprinted.
He was subsequently charged with the following:
One count of Third Degree Receiving Stolen Property (Vehicle)
One count of Fourth Degree Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Devices (Switchblade)
One count of Fourth Degree Hindering-Giving False Information
Possession of Less than 50 grams of Marijuana, a Disorderly Person Offense
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Disorderly Person Offense
Unlicensed Driver (Traffic Offense)
Operating a Motor Vehicle without the Owner’s Consent (Traffic Offense)
CDS in a Motor Vehicle (Traffic Offense)
He was subsequently transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his court appearance and possible action from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint 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.
Numerous vehicles parked at area hotels burglarized
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department reports between Monday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 17 numerous vehicles were burglarized or had parts stolen from them. Each incident is listed below.
• 199 Smith Road – Between 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 16 and 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, July 17 a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC was broken into. The unknown suspect gained entry through the rear driver’s side window. Victim did not believe anything was stolen.
• 199 Smith Road – Between 9:00 p.m. Monday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 17 a 2005 Lexus LS400 was broken into. The unknown suspect gained entry by damaging the driver’s side door lock mechanism. The victim did not believe anything was stolen.
• 3 Gatehall Drive – Between 10:50 p.m. Monday, July 16 and 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 17 a 2015 Audi A5 had all four of its tires and rims stolen. The items were valued at approximately $5,600 dollars.
• 3535 Route 46 – Between 9:00 p.m. Monday, July 16 and 7:07 a.m. Tuesday, July 17 a 2018 Honda Accord had all four of its tires and rims stolen. No value was given at the time of the report.
• 3535 Route 46 – Tuesday, July 17 a victim reported that their 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 tailgate stolen from their vehicle. No value was given at the time of the report.
These incidents remain under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
Gemma Ventola qualifies as a State Finalist in the National American Miss New Jersey
PARSIPPANY — Gemma Ventola, 7, qualifies as a State Finalist in the National American Miss New Jersey. The Pageant will be held on Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11 at the beautiful Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. The pageant is held for girls ages four through eighteen in five different age divisions.
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The newly crowned Miss NJ Princess Pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, the official crown and banner, a banquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California. She will also tour Hollywood. She has the chance to represent the great state of New Jersey for the entire year.
Contestants will compete in four overall categories including Formal Wear Modeling, Personal Introduction, Interview and Community Service Project.
National American Miss also offers optional contests such as the Top Model Search, Talent, Actress, and so much more.
National American Miss is dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year, the pageant awards thousands in cash and prizes to recognize and assist in the development of young ladies nationwide. AII activities are age-appropriate and family-oriented.
The National American Miss Pageant System is the largest in the Nation. The focus of this organization is to create future leaders and to equip them with real-world skills to make their dreams a reality. The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation, and offers an “All-American spirit of fun for family and friends.” Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence and learning new skills, such as good attitude about competition, as well as setting and achieving personal goals.
Miss Gemma Ventola’s activities include “Gem Cheer Stars” alumnus, “Gotta Dance” alumnus, a member of Cub Scout Pack 1749 Bedminster and “Paramount Gymnastics”
She also enjoys reading, singing, making new friends, a true love for horses and swimming with her older brother Michael.
Miss Gemma M. Ventola’s sponsors include family, friends and local businesses.
Four Parsippany residents Graduate from University of Rhode Island
PARSIPPANY — At the University of Rhode Island’s 132nd Commencement about 3,300 undergraduate and 750 graduate students became the University’s newest alumni.
The following students from your area graduated from the University of Rhode Island:
Victoria Michelle Bond received Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Summa Cum Laude. Parsippany High School Class of 2014
Amanda Nardella received Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology Summa Cum Laude. Amanda is a Graduate of Parsippany High School, Class of 2014.
Matt Schwarz received Bachelor of Science, Ocean Engineering. Matt is a Graduate of Parsippany High School, Class of 2014.
Colby Lisabeth Thomas received Bachelor of Science , Biomedical Engineering.Colby is a Graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Class of 2014.
The University of Rhode Island’s pioneering research extends the University’s influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,637 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. In May 2018, more than 3,300 undergraduate and about 750 graduate degrees were awarded. The University now has more than 120,000 alumni worldwide.
Samantha Steinberg Graduates University of Alabama
PARSIPPANY — The University of Alabama awarded some 5,436 degrees during spring 2018 commencement.
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With a beautiful campus, dozens of challenging academic programs, expert faculty and numerous opportunities for service and growth, The University of Alabama is a place where legends are made. UA offers its students a premier educational, cultural and social experience with more than 200 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs.
The campus gives students the opportunity to interact with nationally renowned faculty performing cutting-edge research.
Samantha Nicole Steinberg, the daughter of Andrew and Susan Steinberg, and a 2013 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School received her Master of Accountancy.
The University of Alabama, the state’s oldest and largest public institution of higher education, is a student-centered research university that draws the best and brightest to an academic community committed to providing a premier undergraduate and graduate education.
UA is dedicated to achieving excellence in scholarship, collaboration and intellectual engagement; providing public outreach and service to the state of Alabama and the nation; and nurturing a campus environment that fosters collegiality, respect and inclusivity.
Morris County GOP relocates headquarters to Parsippany
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Republican Committee is moving to 51 Gibraltar Drive in the Powdermill Plaza. According to an announced they stated “We did this to keep our promise to build an organization dedicated to serving all 39 Municipalities and winning all elections up and down the ballot. Our new office was chosen with you in mind and offers you the following
- Tremendous amount of open space for Meetings, Events and Fundraisers
- Plenty of Parking
- Easy, Convenient location on Route 10 at the Cross-Roads of Parsippany, Denville and Morris Plains
- Ability to use this office for Campaigns and All Campaign Activity
- Campaign Headquarters for the 2018 Campaign Season with a place for volunteers and phone banking
- Very Economical – We negotiated a great deal.
- New Technology – Flat Screen Monitors, Fast Internet, Open Collaborative Co-working space”
The Morris County Democratic Committee moved into the same building on January 1, 2018.
Woman’s Club Annual Back-to-School Collection
PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany–Troy Hills (WCPTH) is conducting its Annual Back-to-School Collection to benefit the children at the residences of Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS) of Morris County. JBWS provides a safe house and transitional living accommodations for victims of domestic abuse and their children. Items needed are $10.00 or $20.00 Walmart, Target or Kohl’s gift cards, which their mothers can use to buy school clothes and shoes for the children. Additional suggestions include school and after-school snacks, such as granola bars, pretzels, goldfish crackers, and beverages such as small, non-breakable bottles of water or juice, or juice boxes. The collection ends August 10.
To donate, please contact Cathy H. at (973) 335-9769.
For additional information on JBWS please contact info@jbws.org.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. WCPTH has demonstrated its commitment to the community through an impressively wide range of community service endeavors. The Club has served the township and the state with initiatives to support not only education, but also home life, conservation and more. WCPTH is very proud to have been instrumental in the founding of the Parsippany Library and the Parsippany Child Day Care Center. Today the Woman’s Club is involved with the Parsippany Food Pantry, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Jersey Battered Women’s Service and Child Abuse Prevention – NJ. The club also supports Boatsie’s Boxes for the military serving overseas, UNICEF, Heifer International and other worthy and charitable causes.
The next General Meeting is Monday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Building, 100 Centerton Drive. For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, or click here to visit their website.
Meeting schedule is subject to change. Please contact Cathy if interested in attending a meeting or to confirm date and time.
Parsippany resident pulls out drowning man from Ocean
PARSIPPANY — A 46-year old Pennsylvania man who required medical assistance on the beach died at a local hospital days later.
At 6:28 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10 Ocean City Police dispatch received a call reporting a bather in distress at an unguarded beach at 10th street. The police and fire departments responded and began CPR on the victim, Heriberto Roman, 46, of Ivyland, Pa. with the assistance of a beachgoer with medical training. This beachgoer was Parsippany resident Brian Wheelock.
On that sunny day in July the water temperature 76 degrees and the surf was rough with an eight mile per hour south/southwest wind. The beach was not protected by lifeguards according to the police report. It was also reported by Beach Patrol Lieutenant Kirk that all swimmers were called in at the end of the shift day (approximately 5:00 p.m.) and strongly advised not to go back in the ocean.
When paramedics arrived an automated external defibrillator was applied to Mr. Roman’s chest, however a shock was not advised because he had no pulse. The victim was transported to Shore Medical Hospital
Parsippany resident Brian Wheelock said “We did our best to save a 46-year-old man from drowning in Ocean City but sadly the outcome was tragic. I was relaxing on the beach when I heard cries for help and told two people to call 911 as I raced into the ocean (lifeguards were off duty).”
“The man was unconscious by the time I reached him – as I began to pull him in with his son a true Godsend (and pastor from PA) named Eric Gerber joined us and we were able to pull him to shore. As I started CPR with a doctor and firefighter Eric prayed over the whole situation (truly a miracle we were all there),” continued Wheelock.
More than two dozen lifeguards, police and EMS worked with Wheelock for twenty minutes and amazingly they got a pulse back by the time he was placed into the ambulance. Mr. Heriberto Roman remained critical but opened his eyes to see his wife and responded to verbal commands the next day.
Wheelock went to visit Heriberto at the hospital with Eric Gerber and both were able to pray over him and his family. His parents and other family flew in and all made it to see him but he sadly did not pull through and passed away two days later, at approximately 3:00 p.m. on July 12.
An autopsy of Mr. Roman revealed the cause of death as complications of a near drowning.
Brian is a proud member of the Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance.
Scott Minnich Joins Dewberry as Senior Project Manager
PARSIPPANY — Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced that Scott Minnich, PE, has joined the Parsippany office as a senior project manager in the natural resources department.
Dewberry is located at 600 Parsippany Road.
With a diverse civil and environmental engineering background and more than 20 years of experience, Minnich brings extensive river hydraulics expertise to the office, which will be applied to the administration and design of dredging program projects.
His current projects at Dewberry include the rehabilitation of piping on Interstate 80 in Totowa, as well as berm reconstruction for a confined disposal facility for dredge material in Cape May.
Minnich also developed a complex stormwater management design for the Interstate 95 Scudder Falls Bridge over the Delaware River that complied with bi-state agency regulations.
Minnich earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Lafayette College (1997). He is a professional engineer in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania and is also a member of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO).
Dewberry is a leading, market-facing firm with a proven history of providing professional services to a wide variety of public- and private-sector clients. Recognized for combining unsurpassed commitment to client service with deep subject matter expertise, Dewberry is dedicated to solving clients’ most complex challenges and transforming their communities. Established in 1956, Dewberry is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with more than 50 locations and 2,000+ professionals nationwide. To learn more click here.
Councilman dePierro is distributing Petition to Oppose Marijuana Distribution Centers
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Councilman Michael dePierro is distributing a petition to oppose marijuana distribution centers in Parsippany.
dePierro states “New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recently expanded access to the state’s medical marijuana programs and reiterated his desire to legalize marijuana for recreational use. In support of his efforts, the Governor issued “Executive Order 6″ which expedites and relaxes the permitting process for new Distribution Centers. The Executive order also permits the manufacture, processing and sale of edible cannabis products. In support of the Governor’s Executive Order 6, the Parsippany Mayor and a majority of the Township Council passed a resolution volunteering Parsippany to host Distribution Centers.”
He continues “We acknowledge that a significant number of residents are not opposed to medical marijuana use since it is dispensed by prescription for many types of ailments. Medical marijuana is generally carefully controlled for the amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (generally referred to as THC) in each dose; recreational marijuana, on the other hand, is specifically designed to have as much THC as possible.”
Parsippany resident Edward Forchion said “I live between Mt. Tabor and Trenton. I like it that these suburban towns are rejecting this cash flow and tax base! Great towns like Trenton, Camden, Newark and Atlantic City should get them anyway since our communities have been harmed the most by the racist reefer laws of the last 70 years. Put them in our communities, include us as owners and operators of these dispensaries and consider it reefer reparations.”
“We are aware that, even though the Distribution Centers will initially be dispensing medical marijuana, the character of these distribution centers, and those who are attracted to them, will completely change when the Governor successfully legalizes recreational marijuana. Parsippany-Troy Hills Township is a suburban community with 14 Public Schools, several Private Schools, Day Care Centers and 18 parks where our children play. We are a diverse community with many houses of worship, and residential areas are abundant throughout our Township,” said dePierro.
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Councilwoman Emily Peterson stated “It is important for the voters to know that at the local level we can’t legislate marijuana access, legality, morality, etc. Those feelings need to be brought to directly to Trenton and Washington DC. Attempts at local-level legislation will open the door for lawsuits against the town, which it’s been made clear, the taxpayers are not in favor of fighting frivolously. I do hope this petition gets enough signatures to become a ballot issue. Then, we the representatives can hear directly from the voters of Parsippany. The voices we have already heard, including from my fellow council members, are of compassion for our neighbors in serious medical circumstances, and not voices asking for a perpetuation of prohibition which we know beyond the shadow of any doubt, does not work. The residents understand the role of municipal governance in this matter and I look forward to the well-defined civic engagement.”
“We are concerned about preserving and enhancing the quality of life in our Township. Our children will be exposed to the “Edible Cannabis Products” which can take many forms and shapes i.e., gummies, brownies, cookies, etc. In States where recreational marijuana is legal, there has been a significant increase in calls to poison centers regarding young children who have accidentally ingested Edible Cannabis Products, as well as raw marijuana. Parsippany has been ranked as one of the “Best Places to Live”, one of the “Safest Places to Live”, and we recently received an A+ rating. We do not need or want marijuana distribution centers in our Township. This is not a good location for them. If you agree, please sign this petition,” said Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Michael dePierro.
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“The petition language promotes a misconception about Medical Dispensaries. These are highly regulated secure facilities providing access to “high quality, medical grade cannabis” to patients suffering from debilitating diseases like, chronic pain, cancer, Parkinson’s in a professional environment. The more facilities that are available improve patient access and lower patient costs. Before passing judgment, I encourage the legislators to visit a dispensary and understand the professional environment and complex structure of these facilities that provide support and counseling to relieve patient suffering. Why would we reject that as a society? Additionally the petition improperly and unfairly claims that a medical dispensary and recreational (adult use) facility operate in one facility under the same regulations which mischaracterizes them both. The petition infers dispensaries would lead to easy access to marijuana and expose children to it, but easy access is on the corner of every town and city in the country not in secured, regulated facilities. I welcome the opportunity for residents to express their voice but encourage them to learn more about the operation of these medical facilities and the role they play in patients lives before making their decision,” said Councilwoman Janice McCarthy.
For additional information contact Councilman Michael J. dePierro, P.O. Box 5682, Parsippany, NJ 07054. You can email Mr. dePierro at mjdepierro@optonline.net or call (973) 263-3333.
Brittany Bonin Named to Dean’s List at Loyola University Maryland
PARSIPPANY — Brittany Bonin, a member of the class of 2021 from Parsippany has been named to the spring 2018 Dean’s List at Loyola University Maryland.
Brittany Bonin a 2017 Parsippany Hills graduate has achieved Dean’s List status for both the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters.
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.
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 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students from across the country.
Lion King Jr to open at The Tabernacle this Saturday
PARSIPPANY — Local children at the Mount Tabor Arts summer camp are at it again this summer pouring their hearts into preparing ‘Lion King Jr. one of Disney’s favorite tales of Simba learning about the Circle of Life!
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This is the second youth performance of the newly launched Mount Tabor Arts Collaborative. Join all the animals celebrating Simba’s birth on Saturday night, July 21 at 7:00 p.m. in The Tabernacle, 26 Simpson Avenue, Mount Tabor.
It’s just $10,00 a ticket to show kids that their community is rooting for them- and to offer an inspiring, low-cost, theater experience for your own children of all ages. Tickets available at the door the day of the show at 5:00 p.m.
Alicia Boscarino, Maria ‘Gaby’ Couto, Sophie Hutchinson, Isabella Lipsky, Veronica Luer, Anara Sullivan.
Kiwanis President Frank Cahill receives Ruby K recognition
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill was honored with a “Ruby K pin” presented by Club Secretary Karen Gajewski.
Kiwanis Club International recognize members for inviting new members—from five to 100 people.
Since Cahill became President in October 2017, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has increased the clubs membership to 70 members. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is
ranked 1 out of 79 in the New Jersey district for net growth (net gain of 24 members) and is ranked 1 out of 79 in the district for percentage growth (52.2000%). It is also the second largest club in the state of New Jersey.
Cahill said “I did not do this alone. It was with the help of our active and dedicated members. Our group is part of this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany currently supports nine K-Kids clubs: Lake Parsippany Elementary School; Eastlake Elementary School: Mt. Tabor Elementary School; Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club.
Just recently Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany submitted an application to Kiwanis International to include Intervale Elementary School as part of the K-Kids program, and Seton Hall University as part of the Circle K International.
They also raise funds and donates to the Parsippany Food Pantry, Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, Parsippany PAL Youth Center, Parsippany High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Hills High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Child Day Center, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, Camp Nejeda, NJ Sharing Network, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Parsippany, Parsippany Project Graduation, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Family Promise of Morris County, Parsippany Little League West, Parsippany Little League East to name a few.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany click here.