54 Main Bar & Grille General Manager Tony Miraldo giving the donation to Rose House CEO Tom Mitchell.
MADISON — 54 Main Bar & Grille donated $698 to Rose House through its “Summer’s End Charity Event” held on September 22.
Rose House, a Morris Plains-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and care for community members with developmental disabilities, received 10% of sales generated that day from the restaurant.
54 Main Bar & Grille is located at 54 Main Street.
Rose House, a non-profit organization based in Morris County, creates forever homes that make dreams come true for those with special needs. It offers customized, self-directed programs to meet every need. The organization’s vision is a future inclusive community, where everyone has a loving home. For more information click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — The 40th Anniversary of the unsolved murder of Christopher Thomas, 16, of Boonton Township, was marked Saturday, October 1, by his family, friends the Morris Catholic High School community and Morris County Law Enforcement.
The ceremony took place at the high school, 200 Morris Avenue, Denville. Thomas was a Morris Catholic junior when he was killed in 1982.
Thomas’ brother, Mark, announced an increased reward and asked the public to help solve the shooting death of his brother inside the Rockaway Townsquare Mall on October 1, 1982.
On Friday October 1, 1982, Thomas made plans to go to the Rockaway Townsquare Mall with a 14 year old female acquaintance. The two were dropped off at the mall at 9:16 p.m that night. They walked into the mall entrance, with the intention of going to see a movie at the Inner-Six Theatre and afterwards, purchasing an anniversary present for Christopher’s parents. Within seconds, Christopher was approached by a man. This man then pushed the female acquaintance aside, took out a gun and fired a single shot at Thomas point blank range in the chest. The shooter fled the scene on foot as Christopher stumbled a bit further into the mall and collapsed on the floor.
The Rockaway Township Police Department and other emergency service workers rushed to the scene and transported Christopher to the Dover General Hospital on Route 46 East, Dover. Unfortunately, Christopher was pronounced dead at 9:26 p.m. The case was then ruled a homicide.
There were at least 20 witnesses to this incident, and each one described the offender as a Caucasian male between 18-23 years old, 5’5 to 5’10” in height, and a thin build of about 135-155 pounds. He had dark medium length hair that was parted in the middle, which police suspect might have been a wig. He had a thin, dark colored mustache and some sources state he also had mirrored sunglasses on. He was dressed in blue jeans, a denim jacket and boots. There is a composite sketch posted above. Christopher’s friend said she did not recognize the gunman.
According to his family, Christopher was a promising student and a talented athlete at the time of his murder. He was preparing to be inducted into the National Honor Society and was on the high school’s varsity basketball team and the soccer team.
Police would not comment on whether they believe this was random, a case of mistaken identity, or something else entirely. They have been pursuing all angles, and have still not come up with a motive.
If you have any additional information, please contact the Morris County Cold Case Unit at 973-285-6200. All calls will be kept confidential.
Lakeland Bank located at 321 West Main Street, Boonton
MORRIS COUNTY — Provident Financial Services, Inc. and Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. have entered into a definitive $1.3 billion all-stock merger agreement, creating a preeminent super-community bank in the state, according to the two financial institutions. The merger of Provident Bank and Lakeland Bank will create a financial institution that will have more than $25 billion in assets and $20 billion in total deposits. It will also have approximately 4% of all bank deposits in New Jersey, which represents the second largest share of New Jersey bank deposits for institutions with less than $100 billion in assets.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Lakeland will merge with and into Provident, with Provident as the surviving corporation. The combined company will operate under the “Provident Financial Services, Inc.” name and the combined bank will operate under the “Provident Bank” name. The administrative headquarters of the combined company will be located in Iselin.
“We are excited to announce this transformational combination of two amazing organizations. The scale and profitability of the combined organization will enable us to invest in the future, better compete for market share, and better serve our customers and communities,” said Anthony Labozzetta, president and CEO of Provident. “It is particularly gratifying to embark on this journey with our colleagues on the Lakeland team and Tom Shara, whom we have held in high regard for many years.”
According to Thomas J. Shara, Lakeland’s president and CEO, “The combination of our companies will allow us to achieve substantially more for our clients, associates, communities, and shareholders than we could alone. I have tremendous respect for Tony Labozzetta, Chris Martin, Provident’s management team and associates. We will continue to build upon and leverage our combined strengths as we focus on the future together.”
Chris Martin, executive chairman of Provident added, “We are confident that this strategic combination and the resulting strong pro forma financial performance, synergies and experienced management team will deliver on our commitment to providing superior long-term shareholder returns.”
Strategic Benefits of the Merger
While the transaction fortifies Provident and Lakeland’s positions as leading players in the Tri-State commercial real estate market, Provident’s two ancillary fee-based business lines in insurance and wealth management and Lakeland’s growing asset-based lending and equipment lease financing provide opportunities for additional growth and relationship expansion. Both Provident and Lakeland have extensive experience successfully integrating with merger partners, and both are intensely focused on ensuring a smooth integration.
Governance and Leadership
The combined company’s board of directors will have sixteen directors, consisting of nine directors from Provident and seven directors from Lakeland.
Christopher Martin, Provident’s current executive chairman, will continue to serve as executive chairman of the combined company board of directors
Thomas Shara Jr., Lakeland’s current president, chief executive officer and director, will serve as executive vice chairman of the combined company board of directors
Anthony Labozzetta, a current director of Provident, will continue to serve as a director of the combined company
A Provident board representative will serve as the independent lead director of the combined company board of directors
The combined company will be led by a well-respected management team that is comprised of individuals with significant financial services and M&A integration experience.
Anthony Labozzetta, Provident’s current president and CEO, will continue to serve in that role in the combined company
Thomas Lyons, Provident’s current senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, will continue to serve in that role in the combined company
The remainder of the executive team will draw from both Provident and Lakeland
The merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of customary regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of each company.
Piper Sandler Companies is acting as financial advisor, and has rendered a fairness opinion to the board of directors of Provident. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as legal counsel to Provident. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company is acting as financial advisor, and has rendered a fairness opinion to the board of directors of Lakeland. Luse Gorman, PC is serving as legal counsel to Lakeland.
PARSIPPANY — The College of the Holy Cross congratulates the 904 new Crusaders who are starting at the College in Fall 2022. Lauren Ross will be part of the Class of 2026.
Representing the largest class in Holy Cross’ 179-year history, the Class of 2026 hails from 575 high schools, 14 countries and four continents. Twenty-five percent of the class are students of color and international students; 24 languages are spoken; and 50 members hold dual citizenship. Nine students live within 1 mile of campus, which is about the same number as those who live more than 5,000 miles from The Hill.
These newly minted Crusaders have distinguished themselves through community service, leadership roles, and diverse participation in areas like the arts, music and athletics.
“Holy Cross is built for broad, deep and meaningful education and that says something very important about the kind of student who matriculates here. Our classes are small and there is nowhere to hide – in the best possible sense,” President Vincent D. Rougeau said. “Our students have to be ready for spirited engagement. They will have their certainties challenged and perspectives broadened as they prepare for a world that needs their leadership, wisdom, empathy and generosity. And we are confident that they will thrive here.”
The new Crusaders arrived on campus and moved into the residence halls on Saturday, August 27th, where they were welcomed to Mount St. James by an enthusiastic purple crew of current students, staff, faculty and alumni. Fall classes began on Tuesday, August 30th.
The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Mass., is among the nation’s leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. Since its founding in 1843, Holy Cross has made a positive impact in society by graduating students who distinguish themselves as thoughtful leaders in business, professional and civic life.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Child Passenger Safety Week is officially recognized from September 18-24 and the Hanover Township Police Department is proud to have multiple officers certified as child passenger safety technicians.
Need help installing your child’s car seat or want to make sure it’s correctly installed? Feel free to call our non-emergency number at (973) 428-2512 and schedule an appointment with one of our CPS technician Officers!
Lakeland Bank located at 321 West Main Street, Boonton
MORRIS COUNTY — The Justice Department announced an agreement to resolve allegations that Lakeland Bank (Lakeland) engaged in a pattern or practice of lending discrimination by “redlining” in the Newark metropolitan area, including neighborhoods in Essex, Somerset and Union counties in New Jersey. This resolution is part of the Justice Department’s nationwide Combating Redlining Initiative and represents the third-largest redlining settlement in department history.
“Financial institutions that refuse to provide mortgage lending services to communities of color not only contribute to the persistent racial wealth gap that exists in this country, but also violate federal law,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The agreement with Lakeland announced today represents the Justice Department’s continued commitment to addressing modern-day redlining, and to ensuring that all Americans have equal opportunity to obtain credit, no matter their race or national origin.”
“Ending redlining is a critical step in our work to close the widening gaps in wealth between communities of color and others,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement demonstrates our firm commitment to combating modern day redlining and holding banks and other lenders accountable when they deny people of color equal access to lending opportunities. Through this agreement, we are sending a strong message to the financial industry that we will not stand for discriminatory and unlawful barriers in residential mortgage lending.”
“Redlining creates an unequal playing field that unfairly prevents many persons of color from achieving the dream of home ownership, and this type of systemic and intentional discrimination cannot and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “It is wholly unacceptable that redlining persists into the 21st Century, and this case demonstrates our commitment to combating redlining and hold banks and others accountable when they engage in unlawful discrimination. Through this agreement, we are taking a major step forward by removing unlawful and discriminatory barriers in residential mortgage lending.”
Redlining is an illegal practice in which lenders avoid providing credit services to individuals living in communities of color because of the race, color or national origin of the residents in those communities. The complaint filed in federal court today alleges that from at least 2015 to 2021, Lakeland failed to provide mortgage lending services to Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Newark, metropolitan area, that all its branches were located in majority-white neighborhoods and that its loan officers did not serve the credit needs of Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in and around Newark.
Under the proposed consent order, which is subject to court approval and was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey along with a complaint, Lakeland has agreed to do the following:
Invest at least $12 million in a loan subsidy fund for residents of Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Newark area; $750,000 for advertising, outreach and consumer education; and $400,000 for development of community partnerships to provide services that increase access to residential mortgage credit.
Open two new branches in neighborhoods of color, including at least one in the city of Newark; ensure at least four mortgage loan officers are dedicated to serving all neighborhoods in and around Newark; and employ a full-time Community Development Officer who will oversee the continued development of lending in neighborhoods of color in the Newark area.
Maintain an expanded Community Reinvestment Act Assessment Area that includes Essex, Somerset and Union counties.
Lakeland has agreed to settle this matter without contested litigation and worked cooperatively with the department to remedy the redlining concerns that were identified.
In October 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland launched the Justice Department’s Combating Redlining Initiative, a coordinated enforcement effort to address this persistent form of discrimination against communities of color. The initiative is expanding the department’s reach by strengthening partnerships with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country, regulatory partners and its partners in state Attorneys General offices. Since the initiative was launched, the department has announced four redlining cases and settlements with a combined $38 million in relief for communities that have been the victims of lending discrimination. This includes the $20 million settlement with Trident Mortgage Company — the second largest settlement in Justice Department history.
Additional information about the section’s fair lending enforcement can be found by clicking here. Individuals may report lending discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291, or submitting a report online. Individuals may also report civil rights violations by clicking here or call the U.S. Attorney’s Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339.
Houlihan's abruptly closed the Parsippany location on Thursday, September 29
PARSIPPANY — Houlihan’s abruptly closed its doors on Thursday, September 30. The sign was removed off the building, the sign on Route 46 was painted white and a sign was posted on window.
The post on the door
The post on the door read “We’re Closed. We are deeply saddened to announce the permanent closure of this location. We value our employees, their dedication to the company and we are working to relocate them immediately to one of our many sisten locations nearby. We are grateful for the support of our community and encourage local patron to visit our sister locations in Ramsey, Secaucus or Paramus.”
It was obvious that employees in the Parsippany location didn’t know of the closing, because on Sunday, they participated in the Parsippany Fall Festival, advertising for help as well handing out coupons to the public.
A post on Parsippany Focus Facebook page by Cheri Will Costello said “My son got a call Tuesday to come in tonight [Thursday] for a job interview. We show up and the signs are posted. Why were they advertising “Hiring” just this past Sunday at the fair?!
Paul Anderson said “We just got a ton of coupons for free kids meals and other things from them at the street fair!”
Ramsey, Secaucus, New Brunswick, Holmdel and Paramus and well as a location in New York are still open.
The Parsippany location, among others, were previously owned A.C.E. Restaurant Group Inc. and was sold in 2018 to Landry’s. Houlihan’s Restaurants, Inc., a diversified restaurant company acquired the 17 Houlihan’s restaurants located in New York and New Jersey owned by A.C.E. Restaurant Group (ACE), ACE was the single largest Houlihan’s franchisee. The location opened in 2014. (Click here to read related article)
Houlihan’s is part of the Landry’s, Inc., located in Houston, Texas.
Parsippany Focus reached out to their corporate office to inquire about the Parsippany location and was told “no comment.”
The sign on Route 46 was painted to remove the Houlihan’s logo
Landry is in the hospitality, entertainment and gaming business. Some of the other restaurant groups owned by Landry include The Chart House, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Bristol Seafood Group, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Joe’s Crab Shack, Landry’s Seafood House, and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood and Steak.
A.C.E. Restaurant Group Inc, in 2018, owned 15 Houlihan’s restaurants across the state and was fined and agreed to pay $5 million in back wages and damages to more than 1,000 workers after allegedly denying overtime pay and forcing workers to pay twice for shift meals. The restaurants were accused by the Department of Labor in 2015 of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The US Department of Labor filed a lawsuit against two companies — one in New Jersey and another in New York — that are owned by Arnold Runestad of Bergen County, who was President of A.C.E.
The New Jersey restaurants include locations in Bayonne, Brick, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Eatontown, Fairfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Holmdel, Lawrenceville, Metuchen/Woodbridge, New Brunswick, Paramus, Parsippany, Ramsey, Secaucus and Weehawken, according to the labor department.
A.C.E. Restaurant Group was based in Saddle Brook, while another company were owned by Runestad operates two Houlihan’s in New York.
Between the 17 locations, there were 1,471 current and former employees affected, according to officials.
PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement after testing positive for COVID-19:
“This morning, I tested positive for COVID-19 and am experiencing mild symptoms. I am thankful for having received both my COVID-19 vaccine and being current on my boosters for the additional protection they provide. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated and get your booster shot this fall.”
Representative Mikie Sherrill’s district office is located at 8 Wood Hollow Road, Suite 203.
MORRIS COUNTY — Congressional Candidate CD11 Paul DeGroot held a fundraiser at i2i Indian-Italian Fusion Restaurant on Tuesday, September 27.
The event was sponsored by i2i owner Mickey Chopra and Boonton Town Committeeman Joseph Bock, Jr.
The event was sponsored by i2i owner Mickey Chopra and Boonton Council Member Ward 3 Joseph Bock, Jr.
“Career politicians got us into this mess – lawlessness, runaway spending causing record inflation and economic turmoil, and shortages of food and other basic items from grocery store shelves. I’m a career prosecutor who went after government corruption to keep our communities safe and families secure. I’ll take on the career politicians to turn our country around,” said DeGroot.
Paul DeGroot, Santosh Peddi, Mickey Chopra, Raj Dichpally and Chris Ilic
Paul DeGroot, the son of a firefighter, was a tough-as-nails prosecutor who put criminals behind bars for over 25 years. As an outsider Paul DeGroot will take on the career politicians to do what’s right, for New Jersey, for our country.
Sebastian Criscito, Field Organizer for Paul DeGroot and Chris Ilic
“Rep Sherrill wants the American people to overlook the fact that she supported President Biden’s veto of the Keystone pipeline that cost thousands of Americans their well-paying jobs and reduced oil flow from Canada to the U.S. That was a big win for Russia and China,” noted DeGroot.
Arman Chopra, Mickey Chopra and Paul DeGroot
“Under President Biden, the U.S. went from energy independent to a nation now dependent on foreign oil. We can never stay the world leader in commerce if we are dependent on other countries to produce vital energy products for us,” said DeGroot.
DeGroot, has renewed his debate challenge to Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. He is calling for a series of debates, starting whenever Congresswoman Sherrill will make herself available. Paul DeGroot is willing to participate in a debate in each county in the district. He first publicly challenged Mikie Sherrill to a debate on July 12, 2022.
New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District consists of: For the 113th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2010 Census), the district contains all or portions of four counties and 54 municipalities.
Sold out crowd supporting Paul DeGroot
Essex County: Bloomfield (part; also 10th), Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Montclair (part; also 10th), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell, West Orange (part; also 10th).
Morris County: Boonton Town, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Denville, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson Township, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph Township, Riverdale, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township and Victory Gardens.
Passaic County: Bloomingdale, Little Falls, North Haledon, Pompton Lakes, Totowa, Wanaque, Wayne and Woodland Park.
Sussex County: Byram Township, Hopatcong, Ogdensburg, Sparta Township and Stanhope.
Sharon DeGroot, Mickey Chopra,Paul DeGroot, Jim Van Splinter, and Arman Chopra
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office has recently received multiple notifications from members of the public who have been targets of a phone scam.
The phone calls are from the phone number 973-291-2679, and an individual identifying themselves as “Sgt. Joe Caruso from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office”.
Each time the caller informs the victim that they have a “Failure to Appear” warrant(s) and could either turn themself in or pay a fine to avoid jail.
An investigation has revealed the phone number comes back to an address in North Carolina. Return phone calls to the number lead to voice mailbox for a “Sergeant Caruso”. Neither this individual nor the phone number are affiliated with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff James M. Gannon wants to remind you to NEVER provide sensitive personal information, money, or access to your assets to any unknown individual. If you have any questions about this advisement or need further guidance on this matter, please contact the Morris County Sheriff’s Office at (973) 285-6600.
