EAST HANOVER — Hanover Park High School Class of 2023 Valedictorian Holden Kim and Class of 2023 Salutatorian Kabir Arora were honored on Wednesday, June 7, by the Morris County Superintendents Association at a banquet.
Laurie Vega and The Soul Experience Concert
MADISON — The Thursday Morning Club is delighted to present Laurie Vega and The Soul Experience Concert on Friday, June 9, at Madison Community House, located at 25 Cook Ave., Madison. The event promises an evening of captivating music, including popular standards, show tunes, R&B, and smooth jazz.
Laurie is an accomplished vocalist with 30 years of experience performing at famous venues, including Lincoln Center, Village Vanguard, and the Blue Note. The four professional musicians in her band have established careers in performance music.
The festivities will commence at 6:30 p.m. with a delectable spread of appetizers, wine, and soft drinks. Laurie Vega and her talented band will grace the stage with their performance shortly after.
To secure your reservation, please send a $25 check payable to the Thursday Morning Club at “TMC,” P.O. Box 345, Madison, NJ 07940, or conveniently reserve online at tmcmch.org. Join us for an unforgettable musical experience!
Upcoming Hazardous Waste Disposal Events
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) will conduct four Household Hazardous Waste Disposal events in 2023. The dates are:
- Saturday, June 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany
- Saturday, September 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany
- Saturday, October 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Pequannock Valley Park, Marvin Road, Pompton Plains
Morris County residents can drop off unwanted hazardous materials from their households. Businesses are not allowed to participate.
Reminder, electronic devices (e-waste) will no longer be accepted at MCMUA one-day household hazardous waste events. The authority advises residents to call (973) 829-8006 for information and to discuss recycling options.
Acceptable materials include: aerosol cans, asbestos, automotive fluids, driveway sealant and roofing tar, fire extinguisher, gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel, household cleaning products, lead acid batteries, button cell batteries, lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries, mercury-containing bulbs, devices, muriatic acid, oil-based paints, stains, lacquers,f and varnishes, paint thinners, paint removers and solvents, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, photo chemicals, pool chemicals and propane tanks of 20 pounds or less.
Unacceptable items are: alkaline and carbon zinc batteries, business waste, compressed gas cylinders, containers larger than 5 gallons, empty containers, explosives, hhw generated outside of Morris County, highly reactive and unstable materials, medical waste, radioactive materials, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, unknown or unlabeled materials, used consumer electronics and water-based paint and latex paint.
For more information, call (973) 829-8006 or click here to visit the MCMUA website.
LD25 Candidates Endorsed by #VoteProChoice, Draw Contrast on Women’s Rights
MORRIS COUNTY — 25th Legislative District Democrats Christine Clarke, Dr. Jonathan Torres, and Diane Salvatore have received the endorsement of #VoteProChoice, a project of Democrats.com LLC.
#VoteProChoice is proud to endorse Dr. Jonathan Torres, Christine Clarke, and Diane Salvatore in the New Jersey legislature’s 25th District. As we approach nearly a year without the federal protections of Roe, it’s more vital than ever that we elect pro-choice champions at the state and local levels. States like New Jersey, where abortion has remained legal, have become critical access points for people forced to travel for care. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, we’ve seen state legislators nationwide step up to defend abortion access: codifying reproductive rights into law, approving budget allocations to expand abortion access, and more. New Jersey has been a leader in this space, and we know that Christine, Jonathan, and Diane are committed to using the powers of the state legislature to expand reproductive freedom and ensure that everyone in New Jersey can decide if, when, and how to raise a safe and thriving family. We’re proud to stand behind them!” said Carly LeQuire, Director of Research and Voter Products.
Clarke’s opponent, incumbent LD25 State Senator Tony Bucco Jr., has sponsored bills to restrict women’s access to reproductive healthcare funding and services, including abortion. His “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act,” S673, could prohibit abortion before some women know they are pregnant. The bill would also give the embryo or fetus legal personhood as if a fully developed, born child and impose a sentence upon the abortion provider for attempting an abortion of up to 30 years in prison. Fines and penalties would be imposed on the doctor’s staff if they don’t turn the doctor in under the mandatory reporting requirements included in the bill. In the prior legislative session, Asw. Aura Dunn co-sponsored this proposed legislation as well.
LD25 incumbents Bucco and Dunn also voted against the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, S49, which codified the constitutional right to an abortion or related reproductive healthcare in New Jersey. Bucco and Barranco voted against A3974 as well, the bill to prohibit women who travel to New Jersey for abortion care from being extradited to other states where abortion is illegal for prosecution. Dunn abstained.
“Bucco’s extreme positions threaten women’s rights, safety, and wellness,” said Clarke. “In light of what has happened to women in Texas, Florida, and other states where reproductive freedoms have been or are being rescinded, we can’t allow legislators in New Jersey who take similarly-horrifying positions on women’s rights to threaten our control over basic and important freedoms like governance over our bodies, nor hard-fought rights generations of women before us have secured.”
“As a physician, I spend my time with patients discussing their conditions, explaining treatment options, and then letting them choose which course of action we will follow. I may not always agree with their choices. Still, my job as a physician is not to interfere or strip them of their autonomy,” said Dr. Jonathan Torres, family physician and LD25 State Assembly candidate on the Team LD25 ticket. “I firmly believe that women should be the decision makers for their healthcare and that physicians, government, and insurance companies should not be able to rob women of their ability to make decisions about their bodies.”
“In our post-Roe v. Wade world, nothing could be more important than restoring women’s full reproductive freedom. Attacks on women’s reproductive autonomy are legion around the country now, and I am proud and honored to be endorsed by #VoteProChoice to join this critical pro-choice fight,” said Diane Salvatore, former editor-in-chief of Prevention and Consumer Reports and LD25 State Assembly candidate.
As of legislative redistricting, the new LD25 includes Boonton Township, Butler, Dover, Harding, Jefferson Township, Kinnelon, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Morristown, Morris Township, Mount Arlington, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens, West Milford and Wharton.
Learn more about Clarke, Torres, and Salvatore by clicking here.
Taylor Emerges Victorious in GOP Race for Florham Park Mayor
FLORHAM PARK — In the Republican primary race for the Florham Park mayorship, Mayor Mark Taylor emerged victorious over Borough Councilman Charles Germershausen, according to the election night results.
Taylor secured 861 votes, while Germershausen received 452 votes, as reported by the unofficial results from the Morris County Clerk’s Office. The tally included votes from Election Day machines, early voting, and mail-in ballots received before the polls closed on Tuesday evening. However, the results remained unofficial pending the counting of provisional and mail-in ballots postmarked on or before Election Day.
Simultaneously, Florham Park Borough Council President Charles Malone and resident Glen Johnstone clinched the Republican nomination for two seats on the all-Republican council. Malone led the race with 787 votes, closely followed by Johnstone with 761 votes, while Doreen Cali, a resident of Elmwood Road, trailed behind with approximately 200 fewer votes at 544.
Johnstone, a retired Florham Park police sergeant and former member of the Hanover Park Regional and Florham Park boards of education, and Cali, a retired municipal clerk, both made their debut as candidates for the Borough Council. They ran alongside Germershausen as part of a three-person ticket opposing Mayor Taylor and Council President Malone.
The two winners of the Republican council election will now participate in a three-way race against Democrat John William Upton in the upcoming general election in November. In the uncontested Democratic primary, Upton garnered 410 votes.
Taylor will run unopposed in the general election for the mayoral position as no Democrats filed their candidacy for mayor. Having served as mayor since 2013 and as a councilman for seven years, Taylor is set to embark on his third full four-year term in January.
Germershausen, a councilman since 2003 and previously faced defeats against Taylor in mayoral races will conclude his tenure on the council when his term expires in December. He opted not to seek re-election to his council seat this year to run for the mayoral position.
On the other hand, Malone will commence his fourth three-year council term in January, while Johnstone will begin his first term.
Representative Sherrill to Hold Veteran Telephone Town Hall
PARSIPPANY — On Monday, June 12 at 5:00 p.m., Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) will hold a telephone town hall from Washington, DC. The event—held on Women’s Veterans Appreciation Day— will be focused on veteran’s issues.
To help answer questions, the Congresswoman will be joined by:
- Juliza Ramírez-Wylie, Associate Director, VA New Jersey Healthcare System – Lyons Campus, Army Combat Veteran
- Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Army Combat Veteran
Residents are invited to register by clicking here. Registered residents will receive a call shortly before the event, allowing them to listen in and ask questions.
To submit a question ahead of the event, please click here.
Morris County Communications Center Earns Award for Dispatch Excellence
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Communications Center has been recognized by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAED) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching.
IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers that earn ACE status embody dispatch done right and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
The Morris County Communications Center is a regional consolidated Communications Center that provides emergency police, fire, and emergency medical dispatching services, and 9-1-1 answering point services, to the residents and first responders of Morris County. The addition of Medical ACE Accreditation compliments the Morris County Communications Center’s designation as a National CALEA Communications Accredited and New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Communications Accredited program, an APCO Project 33 Training Program Certified Agency, and its recent award from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Partner in Education Recognition (PIER) Program for demonstrating exceptional dedication to education and training.
“The earning of the Medical ACE Accreditation status is another achievement by the staff at the Morris County Communications Center that demonstrates our commitment to adhering to worldwide best practices in emergency communications”, said Morris County Emergency Communications Center Director Michael Peoples.
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated call takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at Morris County Communications for their commitment to quality and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first responders to do an outstanding job.”
IAED will present the Morris County Communications Center with an accreditation plaque commemorating their achievement. IAED accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes completing the 20 Points of accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED.
“This process is undertaken by communications centers who desire to be the best of the best,” explains Kim Rigden, IAED’s Associate Director of Accreditation. “Morris County Communications Center should be very proud of its ACE achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and its emergency responders.”
Accreditation is valid for three years, during which all standards must be upheld. Emergency communication centers can earn multiple accreditations, one for each emergency discipline they service (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage).
Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. The protocol-based system—known as the “Priority Dispatch System”—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.
For over 40 years, the IAED has been the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch and response services worldwide and is the leading body of emergency dispatch experts. We are a member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. Our various boards and councils work on behalf of the membership—and in coordination with other public safety organizations—to ensure that the comprehensive emergency dispatching system is as safe, fast, effective, and up-to-date as possible.
Hanover Police Address Concerns Over Rubber Pieces on Railroad Tracks
HANOVER — Hanover Police Department has responded to multiple inquiries regarding the rubber pieces along the railroad tracks on South Jefferson Road and Troy Hills Road. Concerned drivers have been reaching out to express their worries about the safety of driving over these rubber pieces.
In response, the police department has assured the community that there is no safety hazard or danger associated with these rubber pieces. They have confirmed that vehicles can continue to travel over them without any issues. The Hanover Police Department has taken proactive measures by contacting the Morristown & Erie Railway, requesting repairs at the identified locations.
Residents and drivers can rest assured that these rubber pieces pose no threat to safety. The Hanover Police Department remains committed to ensuring the community’s well-being and peace of mind.
For any further questions or concerns, individuals are encouraged to contact the Hanover Police Department directly.
Jimmy Buffett Band Cover: Parrot Beach Kicks off Hanover’s Summer Concert Series
HANOVER — Hanover Township Recreation Department is gearing up for its annual Summer Under the Stars Concert Series, and it’s set to kick off with a lively performance by the Jimmy Buffett cover band Parrot Beach. The concert will take place poolside from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at Bee Meadow Pool.
This exciting event is exclusively open to Hanover Township residents, Bee Meadow Pool members, and their guests. There is a $5.00 fee per person to attend, and registration can be done conveniently through Community Pass or in person at the Hanover Township Recreation Department.
During the concert, attendees will also have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in the pool. In addition, the concession stand, managed this year by Mimi’s Too, will be open, offering a range of tasty snacks and beverages to enhance the concert experience.
The Summer Under the Stars Concert Series is a highly anticipated annual event in Hanover Township, bringing the community together for an evening of music, fun, and relaxation. So mark your calendars, grab your beach chairs, and get ready to enjoy the tropical sounds of Parrot Beach while soaking up the summer vibes at Bee Meadow Pool. It’s sure to be an unforgettable evening under the starry skies.
The department’s second season concert will be during the Hanover Township Patriotic Celebration at the municipal building Friday, June 30, when Band of Gold will take the stage at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at about 9:15 p.m.
Band of Gold plays current hits and songs from the 1940s through the 1990s, with genres including rock ‘n roll, soul, Motown, funk, swing,
and country.
Morris Arts, N.J. Symphony to Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries at Giralda Music & Arts Festival
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris Arts and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra are set to celebrate their milestone anniversaries at the upcoming Giralda Music & Arts Festival, on Sunday, June 25, on the grounds of the Giralda Farms campus on Dodge Drive in Madison.
This highly anticipated event will showcase the vibrant arts scene in Morris County and provide a platform for both organizations to commemorate their accomplishments.
Gates open at 3:00 p.m. with a pre-show performance at 4:00 p.m. and New Jersey Symphony performance at 6:00 p.m. There will be an art show and sale, children’s activities, table prizes, food trucks, and musical performances.
This year’s pre-show performer is The Tia Holt Experience. Timothy Lien, winner of the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Henry Lewis Concerto Competition, will perform to round out the concert.
“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Morris Arts and celebrate our milestone anniversaries at this year’s Giralda Music & Arts Festival,” said New Jersey Symphony Director of Marketing and Communications Sarah Hornblower said. “It’s always such a joy to bring orchestral music to the vibrant community of Madison at this beautiful outdoor setting.”
Morris Arts Executive Director Tom Werder added, “Morris Arts is thrilled to kick off the summer with the 39th Giralda Music & Arts Festival. We continue the celebration of our 50th Anniversary with this wonderful celebration of art and music for the whole family.”
The festival will also include the presentation of the Morris Arts 2023 Coladarci and Ehlers Scholarships. This year’s winners include visual artist Yiru Zhou of Chatham High School, who will receive the Elaine Ehlers Scholarship, and trumpeter Michael Minenna of Morris Knolls High School, who will receive the Eugenie Coladarci Scholarship. Honorable mentions will also be presented to visual artist Iris Ferranti of Madison High School and violinist Leah Kvares of Randolph High School.
Tickets in advance are $20.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children ages four and younger. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more at $15.00 each per adult. Tickets at the gate or on the day of the event increase to $25.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under.
Tickets are available now for online purchase by clicking here. In-person printed tickets are also available at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.
The event is wheelchair-accessible with handicapped parking. Individuals needing assistance with other essentials should contact Jenna Castano, ADA coordinator, at [email protected] at least ten days before the event to ensure appropriate arrangements.
In uncertain weather, click here after noon on the concert day for the latest updates. The rain location is to be determined.
All proceeds benefit the nonprofit Morris Arts programs and services provided to artists, art organizations, schools, and the community.
The Giralda Music & Arts Festival will serve as a fitting platform to honor these two esteemed organizations. Attendees can look forward to a day filled with captivating musical performances, inspiring art exhibitions, and engaging activities for all ages. The festival will showcase the incredible talent of local artists and musicians, further solidifying Morris County’s reputation as a hub for creativity and cultural expression.
As the festival approaches, mark your calendars and prepare to immerse yourself in the rich arts scene of Morris County. Join Morris Arts and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in celebrating their milestone anniversaries at the Giralda Music & Arts Festival, a memorable event that promises to ignite the senses and a love for the arts.