MORRIS COUNTY – Deborah Smith, John Krickus, and Stephen Shaw, have officially declared their intention to run for re-election as Morris County Commissioners in 2024. They have unveiled a notable array of GOP endorsements, securing support from every state legislative representative representing Morris County.

Krickus is from Long Valley, Smith is from Denville, and Shaw is from Mountain Lakes.

Smith, Krickus, and Shaw pointed to their leadership in road and bridge construction, protecting residents and businesses by supporting law enforcement and first responders, and four straight years of no increase in the county tax.  

“We are honored to have earned the overwhelming endorsement of Republican leaders at the state, county, and local levels. As former local officials, we know that no one is more in touch with residents than our town leaders, and their overwhelming support is gratifying. This unprecedented support also indicates that the Morris County Republican party is ready to unite early so we can start working right away in 2024 to elect Republicans and focus our resources on the Fall campaign. We look forward to not only keeping Morris the best-run county in the state but making vital improvements such as the expansion of Morris Vocational School and County College of Morris,” said the team.

One possible challenger is Robert Peluso, a former Parsippany councilman who ran for State Assembly in this year’s GOP primary on a ticket with Mastrangelo. Peluso, already filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, but has made no formal announcement.

The list of endorsements includes Senator Tony Bucco, Assembly Representatives Aura Dunn and Christian Barranco (LD25) Senator Joe Pennacchio, Assembly Representatives Jay Weber and Brian Bergen (LD26) Senator-elect Parker Space and Assembly Representatives elect Dawn Fantasia and Mike Inganamort (LD 24) Senator Jon Bramnick, Assembly Representatives Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikoudis (LD21).

Also Sheriff James Gannon; County Commissioner Doug Cabana County; Commissioner Christine Meyer; County Commissioner Tayfun Selen; and MCRC Chair Laura Ali

Town of Boonton – Mayor Elect James Lynch; Boonton Township – Mayor Brian Honan; Butler- Mayor Ryan Martinez; Chatham Township – Mayor Ashley Felice; Chester Borough – Mayor Janet Hoven; Chester Township – Mayor Mike Inganamort; Denville – Mayor Tom Andes; East Hanover- Mayor Joseph Pannullo; Florham Park – Mayor Mark Taylor; Hanover Township – Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher; Harding – Mayor Tim Jones; Jefferson – Mayor Eric Wilsusen; Kinnelon – Mayor James Freda; Lincoln Park – Mayor David Runfeldt; Long Hill –  Mayor Scott Lavender; Mendham Borough – Mayor Christine Serrano-Glassner; Mendham Township – Mayor Nick Monaghan; Mine Hill – Mayor Sam Morris; Montville – Mayor Matt Kayne; Morris Plains – Councilmember Art Bruhn Jr.; Mount Arlington – Mayor Mike Stanzilis; Mount Olive – Mayor elect Joe Nicastro; Mountain Lakes – Councilman Chris Richter; Netcong – Mayor Joseph Nametko; Parsippany – Council President Loretta Gragnani; Council Vice President Michael J. DePierro; Pequannock – Mayor David Kohle; Rockaway Borough – Mayor Tom Mulligan; Rockaway Township – Mayor Joe Jackson; Roxbury – Mayor Jim Rillee; Washington Township – Mayor Matt Murello and Wharton – Mayor William Chegwidden (former Freeholder).

Democrats have not won a county office in Morris since 1973.

Missing from the list are Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, County Clerk Ann Grossi, and County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo.

MORRIS COUNTY – The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has honored Denise Leffler, an employee who is retiring after a 35-year career with the Morris County Clerk’s Office.

The long-time employee was presented with a framed resolution outlining her public service during a luncheon hosted by County Clerk Ann Grossi earlier this week.

“Denise is a legend in the Morris County Clerk’s Office. For 35 years she has graced our office with her effervescent smile, joyful demeanor, contagious giggle, and dedication. She is loved by all and will be greatly missed,” said Grossi.

Denise’s career began in 1988 under then-County Clerk Alfonse Scerbo, where she oversaw the sorting and cataloging of documents, as well as mail distribution. She continued to provide her dedicated service under two subsequent County Clerks, Joan Bramhall (1999 – 2013) and Ann F. Grossi, Esq (2014 – present), working in the Registry Department and providing other services.

Denise will be fondly remembered by her coworkers for her outgoing and bubbly personality, and especially her willingness to do whatever task she was assigned, going forth every time with a sense of mission and a smile.

A Morris County native, Denise was born and raised in Parsippany Troy-Hills Township. She has a daughter, Jaclyn, who is now grown and works as a dental assistant. In retirement, Denise looks forward to spending more time with Jaclyn, along with her siblings and her mother, Joan. She also plans to indulge in her favorite pastimes – watching old-time TV reruns and shopping.

Morris County congratulates Denise for 35 years of dedicated public service, not only to the Morris County Clerk’s Office, but also to the residents she served over many years, and wishes her a long and happy retirement!

MORRIS COUNTY – The Morris County Board of County Commissioners applauded a campaign to end hate against Jews and bring awareness to heightened antisemitism as a result of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel that claimed the lives of more than 1,400 innocent people.

The program was detailed by Commissioner Deborah Smith during last night’s work session meeting after she learned of the “Stand Against Jewish Hate Blue Light Campaign.” It was initiated by local Jewish residents in Randolph, where it was unanimously supported by the Randolph Township Council.

“At Hanukkah, Jews everywhere light their menorahs to increase the light in the world and pray that light, goodness, and love will defeat the darkness,” said Commissioner Smith. “In the Blue Light campaign, we join in solidarity with our Jewish residents to increase light in the world and stand for Israel. In the face of uncertainty, the collective illumination of compassion and resilience can heighten awareness of antisemitism and guide us through this terrible time.”

The “Stand Against Jewish Hate Blue Light Campaign” was created to build awareness and rally support against the rise of antisemitism in the United States. Since the October 7 Hamas attacks, there has been a nearly 400 percent increase in antisemitic incidents reported year over year, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism. The charged rhetoric has led to many attacks on Jewish people, both in person and on social media.

The “Blue Light Campaign” is intended to coincide with Hanukkah; and the grassroots group in Randolph will be assembling packages with a single blue light, a single blue ribbon, and a fact card containing ideas to stand up to hatred of Jews and increase “light at a time of immense darkness.” The group will be offering these packages to anyone wishing to be an ally to the Jewish community in Morris County this holiday season.

Supporters can show solidarity with the Jewish community by displaying a blue light in a window or by affixing a blue ribbon around a tree in their yard. Everyone is urged to speak out against antisemitism and pray for the hostages, many of them women and children, who are still being held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza and their terrorist allies.

If your community wishes to support the Blue Light Campaign, you can create packages by searching for and purchasing the following items online:

Blue Light Campaign Package Components

1) Blue Light Postcards

2) Blue lights

3) 2-inch blue ribbon cut to 1.5 feet for each package

4) Two pieces of Hanukkah Gelt

5) Blue Bags 9×12 inches

Below is the full transcript of Commissioner Smith’s remarks from the December 6, 2023 work session meeting:

Five years ago, a Pittsburgh synagogue buried 11 members – all murdered by a hate-filled gunman. Jews, from nearby and afar, cried. An attack at a synagogue in Poway, California followed, and afterward, we saw a hostage situation in a Dallas synagogue.

Finally, this past October 7, in Israel, more than 1,400 people were slaughtered in unimaginable ways by the terrorist group known as Hamas. It was the greatest number of Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust. Another 244 others were taken hostage, many children and elderly. While about 105 were recently released, at least three were murdered and the fate of another 138 is still unknown.

We haven’t been able to fully mourn the atrocities of October 7 because in our own nation, and abroad in Europe, we have been shocked to watch hundreds of mostly young, ignorant people march weekly in the streets of our major cities shouting for the destruction of Israel and – astonishingly – some chanting for death to the Jews and brandishing swastikas.

We have since seen a 400% rise in antisemitic attacks in America. We sit glued to our TVs and phones wondering, how are we here again only 78 years since the end of World War II and the Holocaust that took 6 million Jews?

We call our college-aged students to make sure they are safe. We go to synagogues with armed guards and still feel nervous. We are told by local agencies to be careful about outward expressions of our faith. We feel isolated.

Tonight, I ask my fellow Commissioners to continue their stand in support of Israel and against antisemitism. Tonight, I ask everyone to recognize a brave group of Randolph residents and join them in their Blue Light Campaign to stand against the hate of Jews– and hate as it exists against any group of people.

They have provided me with a few kits to share with my fellow Commissioners, but all anyone needs to do is to gather some basic items.

Here is what everyone can do:

1. Put out a blue light in a visible window and a blue ribbon in a tree while putting up your holiday decorations.

2. Join the Jewish community in praying for the safe return of the hostages in Gaza.

3. Speak loudly against hatred of the Jewish community.

4. Celebrate with and get to know the Jewish community here in Morris County.

The Jewish community is one of the pillars of Morris County’s history. Our Jewish residents today continue to remain a vital part of Morris County.

At Hanukkah, Jews everywhere light their menorahs to increase the light in the world and pray that light, goodness and love will defeat the darkness.

In the Blue light campaign, we join in solidarity with our Jewish residents to increase light in the world and stand for Israel. In the face of uncertainty, the collective illumination of compassion and resilience can heighten awareness of antisemitism and guide us through this terrible time. Thank you.