FLORHAM PARK — The annual Pickleball Round Robin, hosted by the Halos for Angels Junior Board, will take place on Saturday, May 18, at the tennis courts located at 111 Ridgedale Avenue in Florham Park Borough.
There will be two sessions available: the first from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, and the second from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Due to limited space, early registration is encouraged. To register click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Texting a lewd photo to someone without their consent could soon be a crime in New Jersey under a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
“Sexual harassment and indecent exposure have evolved with technology and that is what this bill aims to address. Texting unwanted pornographic photos has become too common and the perpetrators out there need to be deterred and face consequences for continuing their unsolicited advances and offenses,” Dunn (R-Morris) said.
The bill (A1939) treats the sending of unsolicited nude pictures like flashing or streaking by incorporating it under the lewdness criminal statutes. Under the bill, sending an unsolicited nude photo would become a disorderly person’s offense, which is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a $1,000 fine, or both. If the person sending the photo knows or reasonably expects it will be observed by a child under 13, it is upgraded to a fourth-degree crime and punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, or both.
“Young women are overwhelmingly the victims in these types of incidents and they need to be protected. In today’s digital world, they can be targeted, coerced, humiliated, and harassed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This law would give them legal recourse,” Dunn said.
Dunn was also a prime sponsor of a 2023 law that criminalized sexual extortion, the act of stealing sexual images and then threatening to spread them, or coercing someone into taking explicit photos or videos to use them for blackmail.
DOVER — During a four-month span, Dover Focus submitted several requests for documents via the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and uncovered that hundreds of items had not been properly redacted, thereby risking the privacy of citizens and potentially exposing the Town of Dover to significant legal challenges.
Frank Cahill, the publisher of Dover Focus, Parsippany Focus, and Morris Focus, boasts a 35-year tenure as an active journalist. Over the years, he has tirelessly pursued investigative journalism, marked by a plethora of OPRA requests directed at various municipalities. These efforts have yielded thousands of records spanning township budgets, ordinances, police accident reports, and a myriad of other documents. Cahill’s unwavering dedication to transparency and his pursuit of public information underscores his commitment to fostering informed citizenship.
OPRA, a state law in New Jersey, empowers citizens with greater access to government records maintained by public agencies. This includes entities such as townships, counties, school districts, and independent authorities. Government agencies are legally bound to respond to requests within a stipulated timeframe, typically within 7 business days.
Dover Focus utilizes the OPRA extensively as part of its reporting and investigative processes.
In an email to the Dover Police Department on January 26 “I wish to draw your attention to the fact that I have submitted three OPRA requests to the police department, with the earliest one dated January 7. However, I have not yet received any response. I believe that the statutory response time has elapsed, particularly for the request dated January 7. Could you please provide an estimated timeline for when I can anticipate a response? For your convenience, I have attached copies of all three requests for your reference.”
I immediately was CC’ed on an email to Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney from Business Administrator BettyLou DeCroce that said “Chief, Please advise if your department is answering this request.” Shortly thereafter I received answers to my requests.
Dover Focus submitted a highly significant OPRA request to the Dover Police Department on January 26, 2024. Within three days, by January 29, we received a response.
Contained within the response was 10 pages, which shockingly included at least eight pieces of information that were supposed to be redacted. These included sensitive details such as social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and dates of birth.
On February 14, Focus submitted an OPRA requesting four detailed events. On February 16, I received a response with some of the requested items. On February 18, Focus resubmitted the February 14 OPRA highlighting all the items that were not received. The police officer body cams of the event were omitted; All police reports, investigation reports, summons, and body cams regarding all unknown persons loitering, drinking in public, open containers of alcohol relating to February 7 at approximately 8:00 p.m. at Merida Transit Plaza Apartments; Video from a police camera located at the corner of Blackwell Street and Sussex Street on Wednesday, February 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. In the February 16 response, we only received three minutes of the video and the requested period was not supplied. As of this date, March 4, Dover Focus still has not received the footage from the area as requested. After my second request, the other items were received.
On February 21 Dover Focus submitted another OPRA request. It was answered on February 28, within the OPRA response timeline. The OPRA response was a total of 93 Pages. Each document contained at least two items that were supposed to be redacted. Some of the documents contained information regarding Dover Focus (Morris Focus) and were not redacted.
On February 28, Dover Focus received two responses from an OPRA request from the Dover Police Department. The OPRA response consisted of 51 pages. Included in the pages were 66 items that should have been redacted and not released to the public. Interestingly, some of the items redacted were performed incorrectly.
Redactors must be respectful of the confidentiality of the data to be redacted, mindful of the need to preserve that confidentiality when they identify and redact it, and at all times in the future. Confidential material that should be redacted:
Should a request for access to government records be denied, individuals have the right to challenge the decision through legal avenues, either by filing a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) or initiating a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey.
DOVER — The Dover Democratic Committee held its Special Meeting for the 2024 Nominating Convention on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. This significant event took place at the Dover Free Public Library, situated at 32 East Clinton Street.
The purpose of the nominating convention is for Dover Democratic Committee members to determine which candidates for Town Council in the four wards will carry the official Democratic Party endorsement on the 2024 Democratic Primary ballot. This is commonly known as awarding “the line.” The results are:
Ward 1 Results:
The winner is Sandra Wittner
Sandra received 12 votes
Do Not Endorse received 10 votes
22 Total Votes
Ward 2 Results:
Winner is Geovani Estacio-Carrillo
Geovani received 18 votes
Do Not Endorse received 3 votes
21 Total Votes
Ward 3 Results:
Winner is Debora Acevedo
Debora received 16 votes
Karol Ruiz received 5 votes
21 Total Votes
Ward 4 Results:
The winner is Marcos Tapia
Marcos received 14 votes
Dennis Touhey received 9 votes
23 Total Votes
Congratulations to Sandra Wittner, Geovani Estacio-Carrillo, Debora Acevedo, and Marcos Tapia, who will all carry the Morris County Democratic Committee, Inc. slogan on the 2024 Democratic Primary ballot.
DOVER — This spacious colonial, located at 330 West Clinton Street, features three bedrooms, three full baths, numerous updates, a wonderful fenced backyard perfect for play and entertaining, and ample parking. Conveniently situated near major routes (80, 46) and the Rockaway Townsquare Mall. The listing agent for this property was Pietro Piccolo from United Real Estate.
The property was listed on August 12 for $479,000 and sold on January 13 for $485,000. Moreover, the 2023 property taxes totaled $9,708, reflecting a 6.8% increase compared to the previous year’s $9,090. 375 West Clinton Street also recently sold for $470,000.
| Property Address | Sale Price |
| 330 West Clinton Street | $485,000 |
| 375 West Clinton Street | $470,000 |
MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s legislation creating a process to certify sober living homes and owners would protect patients in recovery and support a state agency’s recommendations following its report on widespread misconduct in New Jersey’s addiction rehabilitation industry.
“By certifying sober living homes and operators, New Jersey could hold them accountable for meeting industry best practices that prioritize the needs of patients recovering from drug addiction,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “It would also provide peace of mind to the residents and their families that they are receiving the quality care they deserve in a drug-free environment.”
The state’s Commission of Investigation released a report last week describing misconduct and unethical practices among New Jersey’s drug rehabilitation facilities. Bolstering the regulation of the state’s sober living homes was among the commission’s recommendations to address the findings of overdoses and illicit drugs in homes, and an untold number of unlicensed operations subjecting unwitting patients to harm. The commission also suggested enacting legislation to crack down on deceptive marketing practices.
Dunn’s bill (A3230) requires the Department of Community Affairs to select a credentialing entity to conduct a voluntary annual certification program for sober living homes and recovery residence administrators or owners. The certification program would include criminal background checks for recovery administrators and employees, onsite and unannounced inspections of homes, and regular monitoring. Homes and administrators that falsely claim to be certified would be subject to a fine.
“There are recovery programs that are taking advantage of desperate families who are struggling to find resources to help their loved ones in the throes of addiction. My legislation would make it clear which programs are operating ethically and legally and direct families to legitimate sober living residences in New Jersey,” Dunn explained.
Certified sober living homes and their contact information would be published on a website. The Department of Community Affairs would direct health care practitioners and addiction treatment providers to the website and require them to only refer patients to a certified recovery residence or one that is owned by a licensed or certified treatment provider.
“New Jersey’s sober living homes should be a haven and beacon of hope for people in recovery, but the state is lacking safeguards and not fully enforcing the laws that do exist. Exposing vulnerable people suffering from addiction to additional harm will not only interfere with their recovery, it could cost them their lives. I want to showcase shining examples of places that are getting sober living right so we can connect people to the most effective help,” Dunn said.
DOVER — Dover PBA Local 107 is excited to announce its 19th Annual Beefsteak Dinner, scheduled for April 19, 2024. The festivities kick off at 7:00 p.m., with dinner served at 7:30 p.m., at the American Legion located at 2 Legion Place.
Tickets are $65.00 each, covering a full meal including dinner, salad, dessert, and beverages such as beer, wine, and soda, alongside prizes.
Please note that tickets will not be available for purchase at the door. For ticket details, reach out to any PBA member.
DOVER — Under the approval of Resolution 88-2024 by the Town of Dover Mayor and Council, Christian Fuentes has been officially appointed as a police officer starting January 13, with an annual salary of $71,551.00.
A resident of Dover and fluent in two languages, Fuentes brings a unique set of skills to the police force.
Before this promotion, Fuentes served as a Special Law Enforcement Officer 2, having graduated from the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy on November 20, 2023.
Fuentes initially joined the Dover Police Department in July 2023, filling the vacancy left by a departing Special Law Enforcement Officer. He completed both the Basic Police Training and subsequent Field Training programs.
MORRIS PLAINS — The “Cookies for a Cause” initiative orchestrated by Chick-fil-A turned out to be a remarkable triumph. Drew Blind, the owner of Chick-fil-A Morris Plains, proudly handed over a check totaling nearly $3,000 to Dan McGuire, CEO of Homeless Solutions, and Stephanie Cicale, Chief Development Officer.
Kicking off on Saturday, February 3, and running through February 17, the campaign allocated a portion of the proceeds from every cookie sold towards supporting Homeless Solutions. This organization dedicates itself to offering shelter, services, and supportive housing to individuals facing hardships within our Morris County community.
Reflecting on the endeavor, Drew Blind remarked, “Our team excelled, selling over four times our usual amount of cookies, all for such a worthy cause.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County residents interested in serving on the County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees are invited to send their resumes to a special trustee search committee of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.
Resumes for the one vacant trustee seat must be received by April 1, 2024. The CCM Trustee Search Committee will review all the applications and then submit recommendations to the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, who will make the appointment.
Morris County is seeking to fill the vacancy of a four-year unexpired term, which term shall begin immediately upon appointment and end on October 31, 2027.
To qualify for consideration by the search committee, a candidate must be a resident of Morris County for at least four years and may not currently hold elected office in Morris County or be an employee of Morris County government or CCM.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate independent judgment, distinction in their profession, knowledge of higher education, involvement in their community and a firm commitment to serving the college. A candidate must be willing to commit at least 20-30 hours a month to his or her duties as a college trustee to be considered for appointment.
Duties of trustees include appointing, supporting, and evaluating the college president; clarifying and, if necessary, revising the college’s mission statement, ratifying long term plans, approving the college’s educational program, ensuring fiscal viability, and maintaining the college’s physical plant.
Requirements: The CCM Trustee Search Committee requests each applicant submit a resume and a background statement outlining why he or she wishes to serve as a trustee and what specific skills the applicant would bring to the board.
Applicants must send one copy of their resume and a brief background statement to the Office of the Morris County Counsel, County of Morris, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, N.J. 07963-0900.
The CCM Board of Trustees is composed of eleven Morris County residents from business, education, law, and other professional fields, who volunteer their services in four-year terms.
By statute, eight members are appointed by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, and two members are appointed by the Governor. The Morris County Superintendent of Schools is also a member of the Board by statute. One non-voting CCM graduate member is elected for a one-year term by each year’s graduating class. In addition, the CCM President serves as an ex-officio member.
The Board of Trustees sets policy and has final authority over budgets and expenditures, and the President is responsible for internal administrative operations.
For more information on CCM click here.
Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
Contact us: [email protected]
© 2024 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.
