MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Republican Committee has decided to politely decline invitations for its Republican candidates to participate in forums hosted and moderated by the Morris County League of Women Voters (LWV).

While the LWV states on its website that it is “proud to be nonpartisan,” the organization’s recent track record has unfortunately demonstrated a distinct and overwhelming bias against Republicans and the issues that they stand for. The national LWV organization has ostensibly adopted a progressive, leftist platform over the last several years. Here in Morris County, the LWV Board, which is largely comprised of registered Democrats, have become advocates of these causes that have little to no relevance to local governance. Also of concern is the fact that the President of LVW is running on the Morris Township Democrat ticket this year, in violation of the policy that precludes Board members from running for or holding political office. She stepped down from the LWV leadership only after securing the Democrat party’s nomination. Finally, the typical design and format of the LWV’s “Forum” favors Democrat candidates, with questions vetted by the LWV Board and topics steered toward the progressive national agenda, in favor of those with local relevance.

“Opting out of the League forums is on me, not the local candidates. As the leader of the party, I see no benefit to the Republican candidates to participate in this type of forum hosted by a League that has spent the last year advocating for progressive, leftist causes,” stated the Chairwoman of the Party, Laura Marie Ali. “We look forward to other opportunities to debate in forums that are balanced and fair and that give all candidates equal time to communicate their platforms and positions on local matters. Morris County is the best-run county in the state of New Jersey, and that’s a credit to consistent Republican leadership, policies and fiscal prudence that our candidates intend to continue to serve our residents.”

Any questions should be addressed to Chairwoman Ali at (973) 998-4955 or laura@morrisgop.org.

MORRIS COUNTY — In the ongoing efforts to secure our schools and promote a safe learning environment, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Homeland Security Unit provided School Security Assessment Training (Train-the-Trainer) to 60 Morris County law enforcement officers, the New Jersey State Police, and several officers from surrounding counties on July 19th and August 16th at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. The School Security Assessment Training is designed to guide law enforcement in conducting school security assessments within their jurisdictions. The Director of Morris County Critical Infrastructure/Risk Mitigation Planner, Patrick J. Owens, the Union County Risk Mitigation Planner, Michael Boyle, and the Middlesex County Risk Mitigation Planner, Anthony Hazlhoffer, instructed both classes.

The course was designed and presented by the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program, Risk Mitigation Planners. The mission of UASI is to ensure the sustainment and enhancement of counterterrorism capabilities and to plan for and respond to catastrophic events. The UASI region includes Jersey City and Newark, as well as the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, and Union.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll stated: “there is no more important security assignment than protection of our children and teachers in the school facilities. Regrettably, we are faced with evildoers who wish harm to our precious children and protective and intelligence gathering measures as outlined in these programs will help harden our defense of our schools.”

The first class was held in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. In 2018 after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, classes were conducted statewide with the assistance and collaboration of the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. With the success and demand for the program, the New Jersey State Police has adopted the program and will be tailoring it to train Troopers in September. Hundreds of officers have been instructed over the past ten years.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson announce that Lamar Harris, 34, last known address 1 Jean Street, Morristown, has been sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison.

At approximately 12:29 a.m. on March 29, 2021, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male at the Morristown Train Station, Morris Street, Morristown.  Subsequent investigation confirmed that the male’s body was located on a stairway at the train station.  The male had sustained head injuries and a brick was located next to the body.  An autopsy was performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the manner of death was certified as homicide.  The victim was previously identified as Matthew Palla.  Subsequent investigation, including video surveillance, revealed the victim and Lamar Harris were together in Morristown and in the vicinity of the Morristown Train Station prior to the homicide.  The investigation also revealed that Matthew Palla was in possession of approximately $800 prior to the homicide.

On June 15, 2022, Lamar Harris pled guilty to first degree Aggravated Manslaughter and third degree Theft by Unlawful Taking before the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr.

On August 11 Judge Taylor imposed a sentence of 18 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act, which makes the defendant ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of the sentence, on the Aggravated Manslaughter.

Judge Taylor also imposed a concurrent sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison on the Theft.  The defendant was also ordered to pay $800 restitution.

Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation that led to the apprehension and prosecution of the defendant, including the Morristown Police Department, the New Jersey Transit Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.

MORRIS COUNTY — Atlantic Health System is pleased to announce the arrival of Scott Leighty, FACHE, Executive Vice President, Chief Health System Officer.  An experienced leader in hospital performance and strategic growth, Leighty will lend his talents to the health system’s unwavering efforts to ensure extraordinary care and experiences for patients and their families.

Leighty will bring a commitment to teamwork and unparalleled community service to the inner workings of the nationally recognized, integrated care delivery system.  To ensure every patient has access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place, he will work closely and collaboratively with the system’s medical center presidents and leaders of its service lines and operations, pharmacy, laboratory and respiratory teams.

“Atlantic Health is well known for excellence in patient care and is a leader in safety, quality and workplace culture,” said Leighty. “Our team is committed to increasing value for the patients we serve – not only through closer coordination of care within our system but through new partnerships in our communities.  I’m thrilled to support Atlantic Health’s vision to transform health care by improving safety, access and affordability – for all.”

Throughout his 25 years in health care, Leighty has served as an advocate for care integration and patient satisfaction.  His dedication to a team-based approach to care and professional development for caregivers has led to improved efficiency and growth.  Leighty is also passionate about improving the convenience of care and building better relationships between patients and clinicians.

Leighty previously served as senior vice president, regional hospitals and clinical services for Allina Health, a leading care delivery system with 11 hospitals and 28,000 team members headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He also served as senior vice president, corporate operations for Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina and held leadership positions with Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa and Ohio Health in Columbus.

“Scott’s ability to create innovative, supportive environments that work for every member of the team will ensure our future workforce is as strong as our history as an organization,” said Brian Gragnolati, President and CEO, Atlantic Health System. “At this pivotal moment for health care in our country, he is the ideal leader to advance our mission to build healthier communities while caring for our caregivers.”

Leighty has held board positions at various organizations including Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa and the American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services, illustrating a deep commitment to local community service. He is also a fellow at the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Learn more about the rest of the Atlantic Health System click here.

Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of more than 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 12 counties and 5.5 million people.

The not-for-profit system offers more than 400 sites of care, including its seven hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ and through its partnership with CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold, NJ.

Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey and joins Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners as part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.

Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 23 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Anywhere Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.

Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of six regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system that will expand access to groundbreaking research across five health systems in the region.

Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Park Commission’s skating program at the Mennen Sports Arena is being honored by the national Learn to Skate USA organization, which has ranked it No. 1 in New Jersey.

Learn to Skate announced the ranking in an August 4, 2022 letter noting the Morris County skating program enrolled 1,242 skaters this year into the affiliated Mennen Learn to Skate program. The achievement will land the Mennen Arena program a highlight in the Winter Issue of the Learn to Skate USA Magazine and the October Issue of SKATING Magazine, where the Morris County program will be shared with all members of U.S. Figure Skating.

“To be acknowledged by Learn to Skate USA for the Arena’s Learn to Skate Program is a testament to the dedicated professional skate instructors, arena staff and the participants who will benefit from learning a skill that will allow for low impact physical activity for a lifetime,” said David Helmer, Executive Director of the Morris County Park Commission.

Learn to Skate USA is a world-recognized educational program that promotes skating nationally. It is supported by U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and U.S. Speedskating, as well as the Special Olympics, the Professional Skaters Association and the U.S. Ice Rink Association.

Learn to Skate USA offers a standardized curriculum designed to help skaters of all ages and abilities master the basics of ice skating through specially formulated pathways for preschoolers, older children, adults and skaters with disabilities.

The William G. Mennen Sports Arena was built in 1973 on donated land in Morris Township and it was opened to the public on January 12, 1975 with only one ice surface and permanent seating for 2,500 spectators. In 1986, a second ice surface was completed and in 2002, a third ice surface was completed.

Mennen Sports Arena now receives over 1 million visitors annually, and has hosted everyone from National Hockey League players and Olympic champion skaters to world class tennis players and pop-music stars at the many events held in nearly 50 years of operations.

Learn more about the Mennen Arena click here.