MORRIS PLAINS — Christopher Langsdorf is among the more than 200 student-athletes who competed for the Flying Dutchmen during the Spring 2024 season. A graduate of Morristown High School, Langsdorf is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Digital Communications.
Langsdorf played on the baseball team, which concluded the season with an 18-19 overall record. The Lebanon Valley College (LVC) baseball team had several memorable moments, including a series sweep of King’s College, earning the team three significant Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom wins. The season also broke multiple program records: Nico Santoro became LVC’s all-time leader in hits and runs scored, and Shane Stossel set records for home runs and RBIs. The team was honored with four selections to the All-MAC Freedom Baseball Team.
Lebanon Valley College, a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC), Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), and MAC, offers 26 sports. More information about LVC Athletics can be found at godutchmen.com.
Founded in 1866, Lebanon Valley College offers 50 majors in health professions, sciences, business and digital media, arts and humanities, and education. The college emphasizes hands-on learning, internships, and research. LVC provides five direct-entry (bachelor’s to master’s) programs in Accounting/MBA 3+1, Athletic Training 3+2, Clinical Mental Health Counseling 3+2, Engineering 3+2, and Speech-Language Pathology 3+2, along with a nationally recognized six-year Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Graduate degrees include an MBA and master’s programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Education, Exercise Science, and Intelligence and Security Studies.
Close faculty-student relationships and mentoring are central to the LVC experience on its 370-acre campus. The College encourages athletic participation, with 40% of students competing as NCAA Division III athletes in the MAC, and fosters student leadership through over 90 clubs and organizations, many focused on community service. LVC offers substantial financial aid and guaranteed merit scholarships totaling over $52 million in 2023-24. Career success is integrated into the curriculum via the Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Career and Professional Development, starting from the first year on campus.
Located eight miles from Hershey, Pennsylvania, LVC serves 1,600 undergraduate and 400+ graduate students. These students go on to attend prestigious graduate schools and secure employment with top companies and school districts.
T.C. McCourt displaying a PRIDE flag during Dover's Mayor and Council Meeting on May 28.
DOVER — The Mayor and Council passed Resolution No. 158-2024 on Tuesday, May 28. The resolution states, “Permitting Commemorative Flags to be Raised as an Expression of Government Speech.” It passed by majority vote, with Ruiz and Wittner voting no and Rodriguez absent.
The following flags are hereby permitted to be displayed upon flagpoles at Town Hall as an expression of government speech: •Flag of the United States •Flag of the State of New Jersey •Flag of the County of Morris •Flag of the Town of Dover •P.O.W./M.I.A. (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) flag as provided in Title 36, Chapter 9, section 902 of the United States Code (36 U.S.C. section 902) Killed in Action Flag (required by P.L. 2017, Chapter 188)
Many represetatives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning, (LGBTQ+) community were present during the meeting expressing their disappointment in the Resolution.
Maria Chacon said, “This resolution mirrors a similar one recently enacted in Boonton, which restricts the flags that can be flown on municipal property. This action is a direct insult to our LGBTQ community, making us feel discriminated against and marginalized.”
“I stand before you asking you to open your hearts and minds and understand the significance of Pride celebrations and flag raisings. Let me be clear, LGBTQ+ folks are an increasing electorate within Dover. Let me be clear, we are prepared to use our voting power and influence to ensure we are represented by this Mayor and Council. Let me be clear, we expect our Democrat Mayor and Council to act in accordance with democratic values and not the far right agenda. So let us work together and lead by example. Vote NO or amend Resolution 157-2024, and send a strong message to the large population of LGBTQ plus folks that live in Dover that we are safe here,” voiced Daniela Mendez. Mendez is the first trans woman elected in the state of New Jersey.
T.C. McCourt said, “We are facing resolution 157, which restricts the flags that can be flown above town hall. Let me be clear: resolution 157 is a slap in the face to the LGBTQ+ community in this town, who rightfully demand visibility and recognition. Flying the pride flag above our seat of power, not hidden away in a park, is a symbol of acceptance, inclusion, and progress, and yet this Mayor is actively seeking to take that away from us. To the Council, I say I do not endorse his actions; I urge the council to reject resolution 157 for its blatant targeting of the LGBTQ+ community and to amend resolution 158 to allow for the flying of the pride flag above town hall where it belongs you.”
Mayor Dodd responded, “I’ve had different organizations come to me. Club Columbia came to me and asked me to fly their flag at Town Hall. Club Columbia came to me, and they said, Mayor, we want the Columbian flag on Town Hall. My answer to them was simple: unfortunately, we can’t fly the Colombian flag because if we do, we have to fly every other flag in Dover. This is a government municipal building, and I don’t appreciate the fact that you’re coming here tonight and you’re saying that we’re banning the pride flag; what we’re asking for is a compromise. And amazingly, everyone’s coming here, and you’re asking us to understand your beliefs, but when we disagree with you, you’ll automatically become haters to us. What about our beliefs? What about the belief that the only flag that should fly over a municipal building is the American flag?”
He continued, “I think it’s unfortunate that it’s come to this point. We’re not opposed to the LGBTQ+ community in Dover. All we’re saying is that we were asking to understand, please, the only flag to fly over a municipal building should be an American flag or a POW flag, the same as it is on every federal building. We thought this was a good compromise, that an additional flagpole in the town could support all organizations.”
The mayor and Council recognized the importance and significance of Pride Month by flying the Pride flag at JFK Memorial Commons Park on E. McFarlan Street.
“I just have to express the fact that this is not an anti-LGBTQ+ statement. This is a statement that’s saying the only flag that should fly over our municipal building is the American flag or the POW flag. And I think it is a compromise when you look at the whole thing. It might not be acceptable to you because you want it flying over the town hall, but if it flies over the town hall, then the Colombian flag, the Mexican flag, and we have to grant permission for every other flag. We can’t pick and choose.”
Ordinance 158-2024 was unanimously passed by “The Mayor and Council of the Town of Dover in Support of LGBTQ+ Pride Month.”
That ordinance welcomes and encourages diversity and inclusion within our community. June 28, 2024, marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City, which sparked the gay rights movement. Nationwide, June is the month to recognize the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and (LGBTQ+) community. Celebrating Pride Month raises awareness, provides support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, and offers an opportunity to become educated, engage in dialogue, strengthen alliances, and build understanding. We must commit to supporting and accepting LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly our youth, who are far more likely than their peers to experience violence and bullying at school, suffer from depression, struggle with substance use, and attempt suicide.
Mayor and Council recognize the importance and significance of Pride Month by flying the Pride flag at JFK Memorial Commons Park on E. McFarlan Street.
During the final public comment section, Danielle Mendez resigned from Dover’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee.
“As I mentioned, I am the first openly trans woman elected in the State of New Jersey. I am the president of the Dover Board of Education. I am on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association. I am a founding cabinet member of eMERGE New Jersey. I oversee development for a large nonprofit in Morris County. My talents, skills, and expertise are in demand. Mayor, I don’t know where you when I went wrong, I supported you. I believed in you, even at the detriment to some of my friendships, my friends were angry, but I believed in you, and somewhere along the line, our communication just fell apart. I know that we had a disagreement about something. Ever since then, we have not communicated at all. I’ve reached out to you as the President of the Board of Education, trying to meet like we agreed on a monthly basis. That hasn’t happened. Say all that to say that I cannot lend my name or give my time to something that someone called a farce. Effective immediately, I am giving you my resignation from the LGBTQ Plus Advisory Committee,” said Mendez.
“First, you know, December seems like a lifetime ago; you and I were on the same page on many things. You appointed me to the zoning board. You advised me that you were going to create this advisory committee because you because you wanted to work with the community. You wanted to hear from the community. You wanted to to make them feel like they are important. And then we come to tonight, you can sit there and say all you want that resolution 157 was not an attempt to ban flying the pride flag above town hall. But that is exactly what it looks like, because that’s exactly what it is. Timing is important. And so I join Danielle Mendez in submitting my resignation from the LGBTQ Advisory Committee, effective immediaely,” said T.C. McCort.
Maria Chacon then spoke “I am here saddened by the decisions that people that I thought were people that I appreciated. Mayor Dodd my kids sat with you, and this is like a sham. I wasted my time, my energy and my emotions putting forward a proposal that it went nowhere. So while you came back as the greatest comeback kid fighting all these people, you took that down a matter of months, you’re back to where people dislike you, people mistrust you. I don’t know what else to say, but I cannot serve on that committee. I am resigning. It is a farce. I am resignating from the LGBTQ Advisory Committee, effective immediately.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
DOVER — On May 5, 2024, at approximately 2:14 a.m., Dover Patrol Units responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of East Blackwell Street and South Salem Street.
Dover Police Officers were advised that the vehicle had struck a tree.
Upon arrival, a vehicle was observed to be on the front lawn of the Dover Housing Authority (215 East Blackwell Street), with its rear bumper touching a tree.
Next to the vehicle was the driver, Mr. Cristian Arias-Gomez, 34.
When Dover Police Officer Caraig Christopher approached Mr. Arias-Gomez, he began walking away toward the Dover Housing Authority parking lot.
The officer told him to stop several times, and he complied.
Mr. Arias-Gomez gave Officer Christopher his car keys. When asked what happened and if he was driving the vehicle, he stated he was. He stated he was not hurt or injured. He wanted to leave the vehicle parked on the front lawn of the property. He stated he was bartending earlier tonight at a country club, and he wanted to be handcuffed immediately because he was irresponsible. When asked how many alcoholic beverages he consumed, he was not forthcoming about how many but stated he worked at Spring Brook Country Club.
He then stated he wanted to go to the Police Headquarters and stay there for the night. When asked if he wanted to perform the standardized field sobriety tests, he agreed to it. Prior to the tests, he stated he was not diabetic and did not take insulin. He stated he was wearing contact lenses. He stated he was not injured. He stated he does not have any physical disabilities that would prohibit him from performing the tests. He stated he had consumed an unknown amount of alcoholic beverages before the crash.
As soon as Officer Christian started the first test, Mr. Arias-Gomez lost his balance and leaned to the side where Officer Martinez and I caught him before he almost fell.
The test was stopped for his safety.
Mr. Arias-Gomez was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was handcuffed behind his back, with the handcuffs being double locked. He was searched with negative results of contraband.
The Dover Police Department’s Alcotest machine was not functioning. Officer Christian transported Mr. Arias-Gomez to the Wharton Police Department. He was read his Miranda Rights and provided with the form. He signed the Miranda Form.
Officer Christian administered the Alcotest to Mr. Arias-Gomez. He provided two sufficient breath samples. The Alcotest results indicated that Mr. Arias-Gomez had a BAC of 0.22%. He was transported to Dover Police Headquarters
At Dover Police Headquarters Mr. Arias-Gomez was issued the following traffic summonses:
•Driving while intoxicated (39:4-50), 1409-E24-002597 •Careless driving (39:4-97), 1409-E24-002598
He was then released to a responsible adult. Bunky’s Towing towed his 2011 Honda from the scene.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Brian J. Cahill, Michael A. Mihalko, Ronald F. Francioli, John L. Ferramosca, and Thomas "Ace" Gallagher
HANOVER — The Township Committee of the Township of Hanover met on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. for an in-person, open public conference and closed executive legal and personnel meeting in Conference Room “A” at the Township Municipal Building located at 1000 Route 10W in Whippany. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting.
Brian J. Cahill, Michael A. Mihalko, Ronald F. Francioli, John L. Ferramosca, and Thomas "Ace" Gallagher
HANOVER — The Township Committee of the Township of Hanover met on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. for an in-person, open public conference and closed executive legal and personnel meeting in Conference Room “A” at the Township Municipal Building located at 1000 Route 10W in Whippany. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
MORRIS COUNTY — A Morris County man is facing charges after last week’s motor vehicle crash. The incident occurred on May 21, around 5:07 p.m., when Denville Township Police were called to Route 46 to respond to the crash.
Upon arrival and during the investigation, police identified one of the drivers as Christopher Giro, a 69-year-old resident of Morris Plains Borough. It was determined that Giro had been operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
As a result, Giro was arrested and charged with several offenses: driving under the influence, following too closely, reckless driving, and careless driving. According to police officials, following his arrest, Giro was released pending a court appearance..
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
File Photo. Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Butler Police Chief Scott Ricker confirmed the arrest of Scott Morley, age 48, of Butler, for alleged possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).
The defendant has been charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (possession of CSAM), a third-degree offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B(5)(B)(iii). Morley owned Morley’s Magic Theater in Butler.
The investigation began when the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received an anonymous tip that the defendant may have child pornography. A subsequent search of the defendant’s electronic devices authorized by a search warrant revealed items of suspected CSAM on his computer.
Morley was charged on May 15. Under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, the defendant has been released under pre-trial supervision PML III, including with the following conditions: no unsupervised internet usage, no unsupervised contact with minors under 18, and remaining in the state of New Jersey.
Prosecutor Carroll would like to acknowledge the Butler Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their efforts in this investigation.
Does anyone have any information related to this investigation? In that case, they are encouraged to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wakefern Food Corp. has announced a $1 million donation for student scholarships at Kean University in honor of the company’s recently-retired president, Kean alumnus Joe Sheridan ’80. (Photo Credit: Wakefern Food Corp.)
MORRIS COUNTY — Wakefern Food Corp. has announced a $1 million donation for student scholarships at Kean University in honor of the company’s recently retired president, Kean alumnus Joe Sheridan ’80.
The New Jersey-based supermarket cooperative that includes retail banners ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, and the Fresh Grocer endowed the “Joe Sheridan Resiliency Scholarship” to help students in the University’s College of Business and Public Management (CBPM) pursue their professional goals and dreams.
Sheridan, an Elizabeth native who retired as president and chief operating officer in December after nearly five decades with Wakefern, actively supports the Kean University Foundation and many other social and community causes.
“Wakefern’s generous gift honoring Kean alumnus Joe Sheridan creates a lasting legacy at Kean and offers students a financial safety net to continue their studies and follow in the footsteps of Joe and other prominent Kean alumni,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “We are grateful to Joe for his support throughout his years, and we thank Wakefern for their generosity in his name.”
The Kean University Board of Trustees on May 6 voted to name the 6th-floor boardroom at Kean’s Hynes Hall after Sheridan and expressed gratitude to Wakefern for the support.
Sheridan said he was grateful for his education at Kean, New Jersey’s urban research university.
“I have been blessed throughout my career to work in a field – the supermarket industry – that serves our communities every day and am pleased that Wakefern, where I spent so many happy and successful years, is helping students at Kean achieve their dreams” he said. “I look forward to continuing to support my alma mater and its students.”
Steve Fastook ’06H, chair of the Kean Board of Trustees, said Kean is pleased to honor Sheridan as a graduate and a supporter.
“Joe Sheridan was born and raised in Elizabeth, graduated from Kean, and has never forgotten his roots,” Fastook said. “We are proud to count Joe among our many successful Kean alumni and deeply appreciate this incredible gift to our students.”
The Joe Sheridan Resiliency Scholarship will benefit, in perpetuity, Kean CBPM students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above and who have demonstrated financial need.
“It is our great pleasure to thank Joe Sheridan and Wakefern and express our deepest appreciation for this gift,” said William Miller, chief executive officer of the Kean University Foundation. “Through Joe’s vision and compassion, Kean’s College of Business and Public Management students will get a helping hand to keep them on track to graduation and the chance to build their successful careers.”
Sheridan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management science from Kean in 1980 and his wife, Joan Sheridan, received her master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Kean in 1986.
Before graduating, Joe Sheridan began working as a selector in Wakefern’s Elizabeth warehouse in 1976. He rose through the ranks at Wakefern to become company president in 2011.
During his tenure as vice president and president at Wakefern, Sheridan shepherded membership and store growth, launched one of the grocery industry’s earliest online shopping platforms in 2002, and rolled out Wakefern’s popular private label product lines, Bowl & Basket, Wholesome Pantry, and Paperbird.
Wakefern, a retailer-owned cooperative with 45 members and 365 supermarkets, including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, the Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Dearborn Market, and Di Bruno Bros., also became a leader in social responsibility under Sheridan’s stewardship.
“The creation of the Kean scholarship is in keeping with Joe Sheridan’s desire to give back,” said Wakefern Chief Communications Officer Karen Meleta.
“Throughout his career, Joe furthered Wakefern’s commitment to the community through his support of our ShopRite Partners In Caring program, which was created in 1999 and has donated more than $62 million to hunger-fighting organizations,” she added.
Sheridan has volunteered with Special Olympics New Jersey and other nonprofits such as the Embrace Kids Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Creating the scholarship at Kean University was a fitting way to honor his legacy at Wakefern.
Husband and wife bring new tree care franchise to Somerset and Morris counties
MORRIS COUNTY —Joshua Tree Experts, an emerging franchise specializing in tree maintenance, lawn care, and pest control, is expanding its footprint nationwide with its first New Jersey location. In late August, husband-and-wife team Chris and Michelle Brown will begin enhancing the local landscape in the Parsippany-Troy Hills, Bridgewater, and Morristown.
Chris has over 20 years of experience as a broadcast television specialist and engineer, while Michelle has spent the last two decades in property management. They’re eager to escape their cubicle lives and switch to a community-focused venture. They were intrigued by Joshua Tree Experts’ commitment to improving the community through tree and lawn care.
“We look forward to deepening our roots in the area, building relationships with the people we serve, and improving the beautiful natural landscape for everyone to enjoy,” said Michelle Brown.
Joshua Tree Experts of Morristown will cover as far south as Somerville and Bridgewater and north to Pequannock Township. Services include tree pruning and trimming by ISA-certified arborists, tree removal, and plant health care to protect trees and shrubs from insects, diseases, and other challenges.
“This region is ideal for Joshua Tree Experts; it’s a community that values its green space and requires our specialized services,” Chris added.
EAST HANOVER — Daniella DiBiase is among the 557 students who earned Dean’s List honors for the Spring 2024 semester at Mount St. Mary’s University. An additional 156 students were named to the President’s List for earning a grade point average of 4.0.
Daniella is a graduate of DePaul Catholic High. School.
About Mount St. Mary’s University
Mount St. Mary’s University is a private, liberal arts, Catholic university in the Catoctin Mountains near historic Emmitsburg, Maryland. Its satellite campus is in Frederick, Maryland’s second-largest city.
The university offers over 80 majors, minors, concentrations, and special programs for traditional undergraduate students and more than 20 adult undergraduate and graduate-level programs.
The Mount includes Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, the second oldest in the United States, and the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, an idyllic shrine for spiritual reflection on the hill above the university.
