PARSIPPANY — On Monday, June 12 at 5:00 p.m., Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) will hold a telephone town hall from Washington, DC. The event—held on Women’s Veterans Appreciation Day— will be focused on veteran’s issues.

To help answer questions, the Congresswoman will be joined by:

• Juliza Ramírez-Wylie, Associate Director, VA New Jersey Healthcare System – Lyons Campus, Army Combat Veteran
• Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Army Combat Veteran

Residents are invited to register by clicking here. Registered residents will receive a call shortly before the event, allowing them to listen in and ask questions.

To submit a question ahead of the event, please click here. 

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Communications Center has been recognized by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAED) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching.

IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers that earn ACE status embody dispatch done right and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.

The Morris County Communications Center is a regional consolidated Communications Center that provides emergency police, fire, and emergency medical dispatching services, and 9-1-1 answering point services, to the residents and first responders of Morris County. The addition of Medical ACE Accreditation compliments the Morris County Communications Center’s designation as a National CALEA Communications Accredited and New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Communications Accredited program, an APCO Project 33 Training Program Certified Agency, and its recent award from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Partner in Education Recognition (PIER) Program for demonstrating exceptional dedication to education and training.

“The earning of the Medical ACE Accreditation status is another achievement by the staff at the Morris County Communications Center that demonstrates our commitment to adhering to worldwide best practices in emergency communications”, said Morris County Emergency Communications Center Director Michael Peoples.

“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated call takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at Morris County Communications for their commitment to quality and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first responders to do an outstanding job.”

IAED will present the Morris County Communications Center with an accreditation plaque commemorating their achievement. IAED accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes completing the 20 Points of accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED.

“This process is undertaken by communications centers who desire to be the best of the best,” explains Kim Rigden, IAED’s Associate Director of Accreditation. “Morris County Communications Center should be very proud of its ACE achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and its emergency responders.”

Accreditation is valid for three years, during which all standards must be upheld. Emergency communication centers can earn multiple accreditations, one for each emergency discipline they service (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage).

Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. The protocol-based system—known as the “Priority Dispatch System”—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.

For over 40 years, the IAED has been the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch and response services worldwide and is the leading body of emergency dispatch experts. We are a member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. Our various boards and councils work on behalf of the membership—and in coordination with other public safety organizations—to ensure that the comprehensive emergency dispatching system is as safe, fast, effective, and up-to-date as possible.

HANOVER — Hanover Township Recreation Department is gearing up for its annual Summer Under the Stars Concert Series, and it’s set to kick off with a lively performance by the Jimmy Buffett cover band Parrot Beach. The concert will take place poolside from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at Bee Meadow Pool.

This exciting event is exclusively open to Hanover Township residents, Bee Meadow Pool members, and their guests. There is a $5.00 fee per person to attend, and registration can be done conveniently through Community Pass or in person at the Hanover Township Recreation Department.

During the concert, attendees will also have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in the pool. In addition, the concession stand, managed this year by Mimi’s Too, will be open, offering a range of tasty snacks and beverages to enhance the concert experience.

The Summer Under the Stars Concert Series is a highly anticipated annual event in Hanover Township, bringing the community together for an evening of music, fun, and relaxation. So mark your calendars, grab your beach chairs, and get ready to enjoy the tropical sounds of Parrot Beach while soaking up the summer vibes at Bee Meadow Pool. It’s sure to be an unforgettable evening under the starry skies.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris Arts and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra are set to celebrate their milestone anniversaries at the upcoming Giralda Music & Arts Festival, on Sunday, June 25, on the grounds of the Giralda Farms campus on Dodge Drive in Madison.

This highly anticipated event will showcase the vibrant arts scene in Morris County and provide a platform for both organizations to commemorate their accomplishments.
Gates open at 3:00 p.m. with a pre-show performance at 4:00 p.m. and New Jersey Symphony performance at 6:00 p.m. There will be an art show and sale, children’s activities, table prizes, food trucks, and musical performances.

This year’s pre-show performer is The Tia Holt Experience. Timothy Lien, winner of the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Henry Lewis Concerto Competition, will perform to round out the concert.

“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Morris Arts and celebrate our milestone anniversaries at this year’s Giralda Music & Arts Festival,” said New Jersey Symphony Director of Marketing and Communications Sarah Hornblower said. “It’s always such a joy to bring orchestral music to the vibrant community of Madison at this beautiful outdoor setting.”

Morris Arts Executive Director Tom Werder added, “Morris Arts is thrilled to kick off the summer with the 39th Giralda Music & Arts Festival. We continue the celebration of our 50th Anniversary with this wonderful celebration of art and music for the whole family.”

The festival will also include the presentation of the Morris Arts 2023 Coladarci and Ehlers Scholarships. This year’s winners include visual artist Yiru Zhou of Chatham High School, who will receive the Elaine Ehlers Scholarship, and trumpeter Michael Minenna of Morris Knolls High School, who will receive the Eugenie Coladarci Scholarship. Honorable mentions will also be presented to visual artist Iris Ferranti of Madison High School and violinist Leah Kvares of Randolph High School.

Tickets in advance are $20.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children ages four and younger. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more at $15.00 each per adult. Tickets at the gate or on the day of the event increase to $25.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under.

Tickets are available now for online purchase by clicking here. In-person printed tickets are also available at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

The event is wheelchair-accessible with handicapped parking. Individuals needing assistance with other essentials should contact Jenna Castano, ADA coordinator, at jcastano@morrisarts.org at least ten days before the event to ensure appropriate arrangements.

In uncertain weather, click here after noon on the concert day for the latest updates. The rain location is to be determined.

All proceeds benefit the nonprofit Morris Arts programs and services provided to artists, art organizations, schools, and the community.

The Giralda Music & Arts Festival will serve as a fitting platform to honor these two esteemed organizations. Attendees can look forward to a day filled with captivating musical performances, inspiring art exhibitions, and engaging activities for all ages. The festival will showcase the incredible talent of local artists and musicians, further solidifying Morris County’s reputation as a hub for creativity and cultural expression.

As the festival approaches, mark your calendars and prepare to immerse yourself in the rich arts scene of Morris County. Join Morris Arts and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in celebrating their milestone anniversaries at the Giralda Music & Arts Festival, a memorable event that promises to ignite the senses and a love for the arts.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s financial stability again has been given the highest confidence ranking by Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings, both of which issued their AAA ratings of the county finances for the 48th consecutive year.

“The AAA issuer rating reflects the county’s strong and diverse economy, very high wealth and resident income, healthy reserve levels, and exceptionally strong, proactive financial management,” Moody’s concluded in an analysis released May 23.

S&P’s May 30 summary also projected a positive outlook.

“The county’s tax base continues to experience steady growth due to various ongoing private and public development projects, including the expansion of its commercial and retail sector and new housing developments. The county has consistently maintained positive finances during the past three fiscal years because of management’s conservative budgeting. For fiscal 2022, expenses came in on target while revenue, such as interest income and miscellaneous revenue, exceeded the budget,” S&P concluded.

The AAA ratings benefit everyone in Morris County.

The annual rating assignment 2023 involved a review of approximately $21.5 million in General Obligation Bonds being issued by the county, consisting of $17.1 million in general improvement, $427,000 in parks, and $4 million in bonds for the County College of Morris.

“The importance of maintaining our AAA rating cannot be underestimated. It is like a personal credit rating, and all Morris County taxpayers reap the rewards. When the county needs to borrow funding for important infrastructure projects for our community, taxpayers are spared hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest fees. It means a tax break for everyone, from small business owners and working families maintaining their homes to large corporate employers and major property owners,” said Deborah Smith, chair of the budget committee for the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.

S&P: Morris County’s ranking is higher than the federal government.

“Morris County is eligible for a rating higher than the sovereign because we think the county can maintain strong credit characteristics relative to the nation in a stress scenario. … The county has predominantly locally derived revenue with independent taxing authority and treasury management from the federal government,” S&P concluded.

Moody’s Findings on Morris County’s Credit Strength

• Strong and stable finances
• Large, diverse, and wealthy economy with a stable employer presence
• Exceptionally strong, proactive financial management

Summary of S&P’s Findings on Morris County

• Very strong local economy.
• Historically stable budgetary performance has resulted in continued reserve improvement “due to conservative budgeting, supported by a strong revenue base.”
• “Very strong management with strong financial-management practices and policies.” Highlights include:

• “long-term formal financial and capital-improvement planning”
• “formal investment and debt-management policies”
• “reserve policy that limits unreserved fund balance to no less than 12% of expenditures.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Kenneth Calvey Jr., a 21-year-old resident of Victory Gardens Borough in Morris County, has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison with a 42-month period of parole ineligibility. The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. handed down the sentence following Calvey Jr.’s guilty plea to second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled, dangerous substance offense.

The sentencing stems from an investigation conducted by the Morris County Narcotics Task Force, which led to the authorization of a search warrant for Calvey Jr.’s residence. The search yielded significant evidence, including $6,908 in cash, nearly one pound of raw marijuana, multiple THC vapes, drug distribution paraphernalia, a double-barrel long gun, a handgun with a loaded magazine, and additional ammunition.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll expressed his gratitude to the agencies involved in the Narcotics Task Force, including the Dover Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph Police Department, and Roxbury Police Department. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit also contributed to the investigation.

The sentencing highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat drug-related offenses and the illegal possession of firearms, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.