MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s district office has been fielding dozens of calls from constituents desperate for help filing for property tax relief under the state’s new Anchor program by the December 29 deadline. The lawmaker says neither the residents nor her staff have been able to make direct contact with the Division of Taxation’s Anchor hotline agents.

“The residents of New Jersey deserve better. Promises of property tax relief by politicians up for reelection fall short when there is no one to help ensure people get the relief they so desperately need,” Dunn said. “Much like the Labor Department’s unemployment debacle, calls to the Anchor hotline go unanswered, and receiving live help through the Division of Taxation or Department of Treasury hasn’t proven successful. Why can’t a state agency just pick up the phone?”

Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats agreed to boost the benefits for senior homeowners and renters by $250 this year, which means homeowners ages 65 and older making up to $150,000 annually are eligible to receive $1,750. Senior homeowners making between $150,000 and $250,000 annually can receive $1,250. Renters age 65 and older making up to $150,000 can get checks of $700.

“Seniors on fixed incomes need to be able to call a number and reach a live person, not a recorded message and a dead end,” Dunn said.

For homeowners under 65, benefits remain $1,500 for those making up to $150,000 annually, and $1,000 for those making up to $250,000 annually. Renters under 65 making up to $150,000 annually remain eligible for a $450 benefit.

“When a taxpayer can’t get taxpayer-funded services there is a big problem. My staff and I are frustrated and my constituents are at their wits’ end,” Dunn added.

Dunn’s office has received about 25 Anchor complaints and eligibility questions since the beginning of December. The state’s Treasury Department has relayed the office’s inquiries to the Anchor unit for review, but to date, nothing has been resolved.
“All of us working in government are here to serve the public, but this administration has been failing them when they’re needed the most. Out of a job and money? It seems like you are out of luck when you reach out to one of the governor’s state agencies,” Dunn said. “It’s completely unacceptable and needs to be rectified so that everyone gets the money they are entitled to receive.”

The Murphy administration set December 29 as the deadline to file applications to receive checks through the Anchor program. The Treasury’s Division of Taxation website says applications can be filed online, by phone or mail, or in person at one of the field offices.
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MORRIS COUNTY — The County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees held its annual reorganization meeting on November 20 and elected its officers. 

Elected were George J. Milonas, a CCM graduate from the Class of 1998, as Chair; Paul R. Licitra, as Vice Chair; Jack N. Frost Jr., Esq., as Treasurer; and Lauren Inganamort, as Secretary. 

Continuing their service on the board are Laura M. Gabrielsen, Dr. Barbara L. Hadzima, Devanshu L. Modi, Esq., Donna T. Pepe, and Rida (LNU) ’23 as Alumni Trustee. Also serving as Morris County Executive Superintendent is Dr. Nancy H. Gartenberg. 

New to the board is James B. Loveys of Randolph Township, appointed by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners. As a managing member of Grove Associates, a real estate management and development firm, Loveys has overseen the construction of several residential housing developments and retail projects in northern New Jersey.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Middlebury College and is a lifelong Morris County resident. Over the past 20 years, he has served the Randolph community in several different leadership capacities, including as Deputy Mayor and Mayor. His service to the community extends as a volunteer coach and committee member of various township recreation programs.  

George Milonas is an accomplished corporate compliance and risk management leader with extensive experience working with multinational companies specializing in the strategic design, implementation, and oversight of global regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management programs. He began his higher education at CCM earning an associate in science degree in criminal justice, and received his bachelor’s in sociology from Centenary University, and his master’s in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  

Paul Licitra currently serves as office administrator for Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblyman Hal Wirths; and serves as the Sergeant of Arms for the New Jersey Senate. He also has extensive insurance experience spanning more than 45 years and covering all aspects of risk management for large domestic and international clients. In the public sector, he served as mayor of Mount Olive from 2000-04 after serving eight years on the Township Council. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, where he also taught as an adjunct professor in the Tobin College of Business. He also served on the board of directors for the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  

Jack Frost is an attorney with Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He earned his law degree from Seton Hall School of Law, and his master’s and bachelor’s in philosophy and international relations from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, U.K. 

Lauren Inganamort served as Manager of Global Compliance at Tiffany & Co. in Parsippany, where she was responsible for the development, execution, and management of compliance programs and risk assessments. She received the company’s Finance Achievement for Commitment to Excellence Award for exceptional dedication and service. Inganamort serves as a trustee for the Educational Foundation of the Chesters and on the Advisory Committee of the New Jersey Governor’s STEM Scholars program. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in engineering and a master’s in engineering management from Dartmouth College. 

Laura Gabrielsen retired as Professor of English at CCM in 2021, after 47 years of service at the college. She began as an adjunct instructor in 1974 and was appointed professor in 1977. While at the college, she was presented with a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Award for Teaching Excellence. During her time at CCM, she served as the Assistant Chair of the Department of English and Philosophy; and served on numerous committees. Gabrielsen also served as the president of FACCM and vice president of ACAC. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Seton Hall University.  

Dr. Barbara Hadzima is a retired middle school administrator and college adjunct. She has participated in the Chinese Bridge Delegation (Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters) to Chinese Universities which focuses on school visits, cultural activities, and South Korea. Additionally, she was sponsored by New Jersey for program studies at European concentration camps and at Yad Vashem in Israel. Hadzima then assisted with the development of the New Jersey State Curriculum Guide to teach Holocaust/Genocide. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Seton Hall University, her master’s degree from Kean University, and her undergraduate degree from the College of St. Elizabeth. 

Dev Modi, Esq is a founding member of the Morris County law firm of Lyon, Glassman, Leites & Modi, L.L.C. He also currently serves as a Subchapter V Trustee under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 after being selected by the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program. He is a former Deputy Attorney General in New Jersey and previously served as an investigator with the Bureau of Securities. He served on the Harding Township Board of Education and, subsequently, on the Harding Township Committee. He earned his law degree from Seton Hall School of Law and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accounting from the University of Delaware. 

Donna Pepe, a marketing and public relations executive, was the founder and CEO/President of Communications Strategies (CSI), specializing in pharmaceutical marketing & public relations. CSI was one of the fastest-growing independent marketing and communications agencies in New Jersey, garnering many prestigious awards during the 20 years it operated. Ms. Pepe also was lauded throughout her career for her creativity and marketing savvy, as well as her dedication to raising up other women in business. She was and still is a champion of women’s rights. Before starting her company, she spent 10 years at Johnson & Johnson building the company’s pharmaceutical sector’s first in-house marketing communications department. Pepe rose through the ranks at J&J to become its first woman vice president in that sector, elevating the issue of women’s health and making many products into household names. Before her CCM board appointment, she spent the past four years creating and rolling out a rebranding campaign complete with TV, radio, social media, and print advertising for CCM. Pepe was a long-term member of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, served for three years on the board of directors at Dress for Success Morris County, and was a founding member, secretary, and chair of public relations and marketing of Emerge New Jersey. She was one of the first women awarded the “Best Businesswomen in New Jersey” award by NJBIZ.  

Dr. Nancy Gartenberg, a lifelong public educator, was appointed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan to serve as Executive County Superintendent in Morris County overseeing 41 school districts, with over 70,000 students. She holds a doctorate in education with distinction from Rider University, serves as a Board Trustee for the Morris County School of Technology, and is a court-recognized educational expert witness. Dr. Gartenberg earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey. Dr. Gartenberg is an experienced school superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach.  

MORRIS COUNTY — A Morris County woman found herself facing a slew of serious charges, including driving while intoxicated (DWI), following a complaint that prompted her arrest in Denville Township, as reported by the local police.

According to authorities, at approximately 12:35 a.m. the Denville Township Police Department received an urgent 9-1-1 call regarding a suspected intoxicated driver on the road. Responding swiftly to the complaint, an officer initiated a traffic stop on Savage Road after observing the vehicle in question committing multiple moving violations, notably careless driving.

During the course of the traffic stop, the officer determined that the driver of the vehicle, identified as Urja S. Shah, a resident of Rockaway, was indeed operating her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Subsequently, Shah was taken into custody and processed on various charges related to the incident.

The charges against Urja S. Shah include:

1. Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol (DWI): Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, is a serious offense under New Jersey law.
2. Traffic Violations: These encompass multiple infractions, including failing to maintain control of the vehicle within marked lanes, careless driving, and reckless driving, all of which are grave violations of road safety regulations.
3. Failure to Give Proper Signal: This charge indicates Shah’s alleged failure to provide proper turn signals or indications while operating her vehicle.

Following her arrest, Urja S. Shah was released from custody with the expectation that she would appear in court to address these charges. The legal proceedings will ultimately determine the consequences she may face if found guilty.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the individual(s) are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MORRIS COUNTY — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced her District Office will move to the Livingston Township Hall in the new year. Sherrill announced the move at a ribbon cutting for the new office with Livingston Mayor Michael Vieira, members of the Township Council, and Essex County Commissioner Pat Sebold. 

“In the new year, my district office will be heading to a new space in Livingston. I want to thank Parsippany and Morris County for being our home base for the past five years and am especially grateful to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor and Police Department for the support they have provided our team,” said Rep. Sherrill. “Thank you to Mayor Vieira for welcoming us to Livingston. No matter where our office is located, we will continue to serve constituents from every town in NJ-11 and look forward to another great year of casework successes.”

The Livingston office will not open officially until mid-January. Until that time constituents needing casework services should call the District Office in Parsippany at (973) 526-5668. In 2024, Sherrill’s casework team will continue to hold mobile casework hours in locations throughout the district to ensure accessibility for all residents.  

The new office location will be 357 S Livingston Avenue, Suite 201, Livingston.

The exact opening date will be announced.