MORRIS COUNTY — President and CEO Tom Loughman is pleased to announce that Paul Muir will join the organization’s executive team as its Director of External Affairs later this month. A well-known community leader and experienced cultural professional, he brings to the role a wealth of perspective and skill at a critical moment in the history of the Museum.

This vital appointment comes thanks to a thorough, region-wide search that drew over 200 applicants—Muir distinguished himself as a superlative leader, eager and well-prepared to help shape the institution’s relationship to the community while directing its fundraising and audience-building efforts. 

“Welcoming Paul to the team is another great step in rebuilding our 112-year-old institution’s connection to community,” said Loughman. “People and enterprise make this region an extraordinary place, and the Museum is at its best when we build great cultural experiences for everyone in a spirit of shared stewardship. Paul brings an uncommon combination of entrepreneurship and service to this role that will help us in this important work .” 

Muir is a lifelong region resident with a track record of service in many civic roles. Elected to the Bethlehem Township Committee in 2011, he is currently in his 10th year as Mayor. Muir is a former chairman of the non-profit roundtable of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, presently leads the statewide advocacy group PreservationNJ, and recently served as president of the New Jersey Council of Mayors. Professionally, he is the former executive director of the iconic landmark, Red Mill Museum Village (Clinton), and is managing director of Vintage Motor Car of Hunterdon (Asbury). He recently led the advancement team of Imagine, A Center for Coping and Loss (Mountainside and Newark). Muir is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has won the Good Neighbor Award from the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce and the Non-Profit Leader of the Year Award from the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. 

The Angeletti Group (Morristown) assisted in the search, which benefited from the participation of several trustees and staff.  

The Morris Museum—founded in 1913 and located on 8.5 sylvan acres in Morris Township, New Jersey, since the mid-1960s—draws visitors across the region to its dynamic and acclaimed art exhibitions program and performing arts events. Its 45,000+ object collection of art and material culture from around the world joins the art of our time in displays throughout the Museum’s purpose-built spaces and within the historic Twin Oaks mansion, designed by McKim, Mead & White.

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) has issued an urgent call for type O+ and O- blood donations. This dangerous shortage impacts local hospitals and is part of a disturbing national trend, with Type O shortages reported across the U.S. The current inventory of type O blood is the lowest since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Further complicating this shortage is a recent surge in blood usage. Seven massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) have occurred across the region in the past several days. MTPs involve administering ten or more units of blood to a patient within 24 hours. Still, they can often require 50 or more lifesaving blood products per patient, which strains the blood supply tremendously.

Type O+ is the most common blood type, representing nearly 40% of the U.S. population. Type O- is the universal blood type and is commonly used in emergency settings. A shortage of both types, both locally and nationally, poses serious concerns for our healthcare system, and the need for donors is critical. 

In addition, the region continues to struggle with the challenges that often accompany the summer months. Seasonal travel, school breaks, and a rise in traumatic accidents during summer usually strain the blood supply and lead to shortages. NJBS calls on all individuals with Type O blood to immediately donate. 

“We are appealing to our community to step up and donate blood, especially those who are type O. The summer months are always a challenging time for the blood supply, but we are currently experiencing an even lower level of this crucial blood type than at the start of the pandemic,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New Jersey Blood Services. “Following the recent surge in blood usage, our local inventory is critically low, and we need immediate support to ensure every patient receives the lifesaving care they need.” 

NJBS hosts daily blood drives and operates 19 area donor centers to reach donors and meet local hospital needs. Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice monthly. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.

To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still support NYBC’s mission by texting ‘NYBC’ to ‘20222’ to give $25.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Democratic Committee announced three local elected officials have filed to seek the office of Morris County Commissioner. The trio recently held a listening tour at the Parsippany IHOP.

The Democratic slate is:

• Bud Ravitz, a two-term Morris Township Committeeman and former Deputy Mayor
• Jonathan Sackett, a two-term Rockaway Township Councilman and former Council President and Vice President
• Justin Strickland, a newly elected Chatham Borough Councilman

“They are going to break through the logjam of Republican control, bringing new ideas to the table based on their practical experience governing in the community. It’s time to bring a new set of ideas and fresh thinking to the Board of County Commissioners,” said Morris County Democratic Chair Amalia Duarte.

A little about the candidates:

Justin Strickland, a newly elected Chatham Borough Councilman: After traveling all over the globe, I chose Morris County as my home, and I humbly represent the residents of Chatham on the Chatham Borough Council. I am a proud war veteran who served on Iraq’s front lines, earning a Bronze Star. As a civilian, I also served in the Pentagon and earned the Office of the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Achievement Award for my work in Afghanistan. I’m a seasoned manager across multiple Fortune 500 companies who is passionate about public service, sustainable economic development, historic preservation, and the untapped potential of Morris County.

Jonathan Sackett, a two-term Rockaway Township Councilman and former Council President and Vice President: As a father of four, small business owner, and lifelong resident of Morris County, I’m passionate about my community. I ran for County Commissioner last year, and I will win this year. My background in economics, finance, and accounting and my experience as a local business owner provide the understanding and real-life expertise to tackle fiscal and quality-of-life issues. I’m serving my second term on the Rockaway Township Council as Council President and Vice President. 

Bud Ravitz, a two-term Morris Township Committeeman and former Deputy Mayor: I am a former Deputy Mayor, serving in my fourth year on the Morris Township Committee. I have made a visible and positive impact on the Township Committee during my tenure. I’m passionate about transparency in government and representing all my constituents fairly. I spearheaded two bipartisan pay-to-play legislation ordinances that were more strict than the legislation passed by the state of New Jersey. I have served on almost every Township Standing and Advisory Committee, including the Planning Board and Board of Health. I have been instrumental in prioritizing park and field renovations, smart growth, and environmental sustainability.

Focus Publications asked the candidates the following questions:

1. Overdevelopment is the big buzzword around town. People are upset about large projects being built without community input. How would you address this?

Concerns about overdevelopment in Morris County are valid and should be addressed carefully. Overdevelopment is not a partisan issue because it impacts all residents. As Morris County Commissioners, we plan to ensure we have a County-wide Master Plan that sets all communities up for success. True vision planning involves collaborating with key stakeholders, including residents and municipal governing bodies. We plan to bring municipal leaders together to create a dialogue that can ensure successful development where it’s needed and carefully evaluate development in areas where it could be detrimental. 

2. What we hear about in county government is a need for more transparency. We can see from this listening tour today that you are happy to engage with the community – but if elected, how would you continue to implement transparency and robust community engagement?

As Morris County Commissioner, we know that it’s essential to listen to the residents of Morris County. Listening means holding town halls, making yourself available, and meeting with folks in their communities. We will have regular meetings with representatives of all Morris County municipalities to share and collaborate on ideas and issues that will benefit both. We will also hold periodic town halls for county residents in various locations to highlight issues important to them.

Additionally, as county commissioners, we would work to establish a YouTube channel where all commissioner meetings are video-recorded for public use. 

3. The job of the Commissioner comes down to keeping our county running smoothly. But our current commissioners have weighed in on national issues like reproductive health and gun control – going as far as to make official proclamations on the county’s behalf. What are your thoughts on these actions in the role of commissioner?

The primary responsibility of a County Commissioner is to focus on policy that governs Morris County. There may be times when the County Commissioners need to weigh in on national issues, such as 9/11 or supporting the U.S. Armed Forces when deployed abroad. We believe County Commissioner proclamations should be focused on unifying Morris County and supporting folks who need our support. As Commissioners, we will work hard to represent all the county’s residents regardless of political affiliation.   

4. Most residents don’t understand where the Commissioners get money to use in their budget. Can you explain?

Each municipality pays a different percentage of property taxes to the county based on the county’s equalized tax assessment. The budget is $365 million per year. As commissioners, we would be active in the communities to ensure residents across Morris County know how their money is spent. In addition, the County applies for and receives state and federal grants for County projects.

MORRIS COUNTY — A 62-year-old Denville Township man, Mark Johnson, was arrested following a hit-and-run crash in the Cedar Lake area on Saturday, July 13, according to a release from the Denville police.

The investigation revealed that Johnson was under the influence at the time of the crash. He has been charged with driving under the influence and issued summonses for reckless driving, careless driving, failure to maintain lane, safety glass requirement, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to report an accident.

Johnson was released pending a court appearance.

Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

MORRIS COUNTY — The County College of Morris (CCM) was awarded a $650,000 Advanced Technology Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant, distributed over three years, will support the college’s expansion of its nationally recognized Data Science program and aid in the establishment of a new, cutting-edge Data Science Institute. This initiative aligns with the college’s commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and meeting the evolving needs of the community and industry.

Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of CCM, thanked NSF for the grant and emphasized its significance in advancing the college’s mission. “Not only will this grant enable us to expand Data Science at CCM,” said Iacono, “but also help create the Data Science Institute and strive to meet our goals from the training of faculty with industry certification to creating a seamless career pathway in data science for students of all ages.”

Key Benefits

CCM allows students to gain an early interest in the data science field. One prominent feature of this opportunity is a fast-track approach toward employment. The college’s Center for Workforce Development offers cutting-edge Business Analytics, Tableau, R-Programming courses, and more to accelerate one’s career. Students can enroll at CCM to earn the 16-credit certificate of achievement in data analytics in less than one year. Then, students can further their studies at CCM towards an AS in computer science with a concentration in data science.

The ATE grant will support teachers in ensuring they attain industry-recognized certifications. The grant also works towards equipping teachers with the latest tools and knowledge in data science to deliver excellent instruction. Students may gain training and specialized workshops on data manipulation, statistical analysis, machine learning, data visualization, and more on campus and in virtual format. Guest lecturers, industry visits, and networking events will showcase real-world data science applications and help funnel students to industry.

Recent Events

Most recently, the college’s Data Science program has participated in the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) Pathways Initiative, which includes the New Jersey Big Data Alliance (NJBDA)—Data Science Articulation Project. This project establishes seamless transfer pathways from several two-year to four-year institutions across New Jersey, including CCM.

Iacono says, “CCM will continue to be a leader in education and data science plus play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and technological advancement in the region.”

“This grant represents a significant milestone for the college,” said CCM Professor of Mathematics Kelly Fitzpatrick. “We are excited to embark on this journey of expansion and innovation, and we are confident that the resources provided by this grant will empower our faculty and students, including underrepresented groups and Women in STEM, to excel in the dynamic field of data science.”

The County College of Morris’s success in Data Science has been highlighted and publicized nationally.

• The New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) featured this project on the March 23 episode of Minding Your Business, where Fitzpatrick spoke about its success.
• NSF featured the college’s courses, transfer agreements, and pathways in Data Science in its annual publication, ATE Impacts, on page 88.