BOONTON — Boonton is unmistakably in the throes of campaign season, as evidenced by reports of vanishing campaign signs from both political factions. Despite the ubiquity of surveillance cameras nowadays, some still risk potential exposure.
A recent incident in Boonton highlighted this audacity. David Vasa, 54, the former Chairman of the Boonton Democratic Committee, was captured on video removing a campaign sign of Republican Mayoral Candidate Jim Lynch. More notably, the sign wasn’t just any regular lawn sign but a 15-foot banner prominently displayed on the side of an RV.
The banner on the side of the RV was allegedly removed by David Vasa
Boonton Police Records indicate that a complaint was issued concerning the banner’s theft, which took place on Saturday, October 21. Mr. Vasa was charged under statute 2C:20-3A.
Vasa stated to Boonton Police that the banner appeared to be loose, to which he admitted that he removed the banner, placed it in the rear of his vehicle, and drove away. He stated that he no longer had the sign, and it was discarded. At this point, Mr. Vasa was mirandized due to incriminating statements. He was then processed according to Boonton Police policies and procedures for theft. He was released on complaint 1401-S-2023-000082, with a court date of November 15 at Morris County Superior Court.
It’s worth noting that Vasa previously contested for the Council member of Ward 4 position in the 2019 election but was defeated by Republican Michael J. Wade. He also ran in 2020 against James Lynch, facing another loss.
Commenting on the recent incident, Republican Candidate James Lynch stated, “My campaign emphasizes restoring unity, decorum, transparency, and collaboration to the Council. Such goals become increasingly challenging when Democrat candidates and sitting Council members have ties with individuals charged with campaign material theft. Boonton and its residents truly deserve better.”
“Despicable conduct like this by DeVenezia Democrat Dave Vasa has no place in Boonton or anywhere else. Voters deserve better,” commented the Morris County Republican Committee.
The upcoming General Election on November 7 will see James Lynch as the Republican Mayoral contender, while Council Member Ward 2, Marie DeVenezia, represents the Democratic Mayoral side.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER — Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, in cooperation with The Ukrainian American Cultural Center of NJ- Political Affairs committee is hosting a town hall meeting open to the public on November 1.
The event will provide an opportunity to hear from and meet local state legislators. State Senator Joe Pennacchio, Assemblyman Brian Bergen and Assemblyman Jay Webber will be on hand to discuss issues that are important to the residents of Hanover Township.
The Town Hall meeting is being held following Hanover Township’s shift from the 27th District to the 26th District due to the latest legislative redistricting following the new 10-year census.
The details of the meeting are as follows:
The Ukrainian American Cultural Center of NJ
60 North Jefferson Road
Whippany NJ 07981
Wednesday, November 1
7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
The Spa Coffee Shop & Restaurant located in the Troy Plaza, 482 North Beverwyck Road in downtown Lake Hiawatha
The original Spa Restaurant in the 70s. A fire on January 4, 1987, which started in Tony Ruda’s, destroyed many of the small businesses in the mall, including the Spa.
PARSIPPANY — I thought I would do something a little different this month and stop in at a local landmark, the Spa Coffee Shop & Restaurant located in the Troy Plaza in downtown Lake Hiawatha. The Spa has been offering comforting home-cooked meals to its customers for “over 55 years”, yet it doesn’t seem to get the attention it deserves after all those years. No one seems to know exactly when the original Spa opened, but one individual posted on my social media page that she moved into town over 55 years ago and the Spa was there when she moved in.
Diner, restaurant, luncheonette; exactly how would one best describe Lake Hiawatha’s classic Spa restaurant? I really don’t know, you tell me. Any one of these would seem to fit this well-loved mainstay. With its welcoming, homey atmosphere and retro vibe The Spa has always been a well-known gathering spot for locals, whether it be for a regular breakfast get-together for a group of seniors, local politicians, or businesspeople meeting for a bite, or just local folks looking for a good, hearty, tasty, reasonably priced meal. Just one of those old-school, friendly neighborhood places that’s as local as local gets, and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.
The Spa is situated in the center of a small strip mall right off North Beverwyck Road. (In the event you are not from the area, Lake Hiawatha is a section of Parsippany-Troy Hills.) The restaurant itself is in one of those nondescript glass-front businesses, from which the restaurant’s interior enjoys nice ambient lighting. If you are not looking, the restaurant seems to get lost amongst the various other small businesses that comprise the mall. Just keep an eye out for the prominent blue and red neon sign in the window, along with the restaurant’s signage clearly noted overhead. There is plenty of free, off-street parking available in the mall’s large lot.
Bright, clean, and airy, with a variety of ample seating, including booths (for four and two people). You will find soft, comfy mauve leather seats, Formica-topped tables, and a row of nine stylish chrome-based, diner-style seats along the Spa’s lengthy counter.
As soon as you enter the Spa you are immediately greeted with a homey and welcoming vibe. Bright, clean, and airy, with a variety of ample seating, including booths (for four and two people). You will find soft, comfy mauve leather seats, Formica-topped tables, and a row of nine stylish chrome-based, diner-style seats along the Spa’s lengthy counter. The interior is spacious, ensuring you will feel comfortable wherever you choose to sit. The décor is unpretentious, attractive, neat, and well-organized. The Spa may have been around for a long time but still exudes a contemporary yet cozy, comfortable, warm, nostalgic feel. The rich, brown solid oak paneled walls and woodwork, white tile flooring, and ceiling fans, blended with a soft color scheme nicely complement the theme of the restaurant.
Owner and Chef, Gus Haralambopoulos with Pat Minutillo
Owner and Chef, Gus Haralambopoulos arrived in the USA from Greece at the age of 19 barely speaking any English, but it wasn’t long before his culinary career began to blossom in 1975 at a small hamburger joint in Morristown. His boss, Peter, would eventually buy the Spa in 1977, bringing along his young protegee as his Chef. Peter decided to sell in 1983 and Gus, seizing the opportunity, acquired the Spa, which was at that time a very small (some might say tiny) sandwich/coffee shop situated next to a local, well-known men’s clothing store, Tony Ruda’s. A fire on January 4, 1987, which started in Tony Ruda’s, destroyed many of the small businesses in the mall, including the Spa. Out of disaster came opportunity, as Gus rebuilt the restaurant to almost twice its original size by expanding into half of the former clothing store location, reopening 11 months later, bigger and better than before.
Sammy Salad with Tzatziki Sauce
I was fortunate to sit down with the very amiable Chef who stated, “I’ve been here over 40 years and I love all my customers. They are all like family. 97% of my customers are regulars who I have known for many years, and even when they move away, they come back when they are in the area.” Gus elaborated that he enjoys it when new customers visit and then join that family of regulars. “Once they try the food here, they come back.” “Everything is homemade every day from scratch, including almost all the desserts, and I use only fresh ingredients in every dish. One of our most popular dishes is the Sammy Salad with Tzatziki Sauce. Actually, I go through 80 to 100 pounds of Tzatziki Sauce every week.” I told Gus that I had just had his Sammy Salad earlier in the afternoon and I could see why it was so popular.
Seafood Paella
As my friends and I perused the eclectic menu, I was impressed with the diverse number of appetizing options to choose from, especially since every dish is homemade. Pretty much anything that would satisfy anyone’s cravings. Including such mouthwatering dishes as Veal Saltimbocca over Linguini, Chicken Napolitano, Chicken Villa with Crispy Calamari, and Seafood Paella, just to provide a few examples. In addition, to keep things fresh, the Spa offers 10 to 12 fluctuating “daily specials”, and every couple of months offers a specialty “Greek Night”. The regular selections include many Greek and Italian specialties, as well as a wonderful array of quintessential American comfort food.
Chicken Villa with Crispy Calamari
The Chef told me that he either does all the cooking himself, or he carefully oversees his three-member kitchen staff. It was clear that Chef Gus loves what he does and takes great pride in the dishes he serves. It is no surprise as to why he is held in such high esteem by his customers, and why the Spa has been around so long.
As our group settled into a corner table we were welcomed by our smiling and friendly server, who quickly set us up with menus and tableware, including wine glasses. By the way, did I mention that The Spa is BYOB? Always a good thing!
Greek Special Hamburger, which was one of the “Daily Specials.”
There is a large selection of appetizers on the menu, but today we went straight to our entrees. Since I had heard so much about that signature dish, the Sammy Salad, I had to order it. Honestly, that would have been enough for any normal human being, but being a gavone and dismissing our servers’ advice that it might be too much I also ordered the Greek Special Hamburger, which was one of the “Daily Specials.” My dining companions went with a Spinach Salad with Chicken and a Chicken Caesar wrap. All our entrees came with French Fries and a cup of the Soup of the Day.
The Sammy Salad, a delicious mixture of pita bread, lettuce, tomato, cucumber & Bermuda onion, tossed with Greek dressing and tzatziki sauce, lived up to the hype. There are also plenty of additions you can add to the salad including chicken, shrimp, gyro, and more, if that’s your preference. The freshly made authentic Greek tzatziki (a yogurt and cucumber-based sauce) really livened up the dish. Rich, creamy, and full of fresh herbs, it married perfectly with the pita and fresh, crispy vegetables. Plus, it was definitely a very generously sized portion.
My Greek Burger was cooked to perfection, crispy crust on the outside and moist, juicy, and chewy on the inside. It came open-faced over pita bread and surrounded by fresh lettuce, tomato, and onions, with a serving of that tzatziki sauce on the side. The accompanying fries were also nice and crispy, not the least bit oily. Very tasty! All our meals came with that aforementioned cup of homemade, delicious, freshly made soup, which on this visit was a choice of either Chicken Pasta or Beef Barley.
Chicken Pasta
My friends expressed their pleasure with their dishes as well, and our visit clearly rates as another great local dining experience. We couldn’t leave without trying one of Chef Gus’s desserts. A couple of us went with the Rice Pudding, while Mike Z tried the Chocolate Cream Pie. The Rice Pudding was decadently delicious. The flavorful pudding was sweet, soft, spongy, and textured, and topped with a large scoop of whipped cream. One of the best ones I’ve had in a very long time.
New Jersey Eggs Benedict (only available on weekends)
Just as a side note: A few weeks ago, I stopped in for breakfast and tried their New Jersey Eggs Benedict (only available on weekends). Outstanding! Don’t pass this up if you’re looking for a great breakfast. And don’t forget their hot fresh coffee, with free refills.
The Rice Pudding was decadently delicious
If you haven’t been there yet, do yourself a favor and give the Spa a try. You will not be disappointed.
Spa Coffee Shop & Restaurant is located at 482 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha. Phone: (973) 335-7770 www.thesparestaurant.com; Dine In – In-Store Pickup – BYOB – Ample Parking. Home-Made Desserts – Reasonably Priced – Family Friendly. Casual, Cozy, and Comfortable Dining. Open 7 Days a Week for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Follow “The Spa Restaurant” on Facebook for Daily Specials.
Dover — Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen visited Dover this week to congratulate the Town of Dover and the Dover Housing Authority at a groundbreaking ceremony at 80 E. McFarlan St. for a new 90-unit apartment building in which ten percent of units will be zoned affordable housing.
Tayfun Selen
Formerly a free-standing restaurant, the property has been vacant and underutilized for nearly a decade. Once complete, the development will feature 90 luxury rental apartments and over 5,000 square feet of interior and exterior amenity spaces—including the first rooftop community space in Dover. Residents will benefit from a location that is within walking distance of Dover’s downtown shopping district and train station.
At the same time, the project will enhance the neighborhood and add new housing options to an underserved submarket.
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners commends the Town of Dover and the Dover Housing Authority in their ongoing effort to provide desirable housing options for the residents of Morris County.
Crossroads Companies is the designated developer for this redevelopment project.
BOONTON — Join the Kiwanis Club of Tri-Town on Tuesday, October 24, as we celebrate the dedication of our 2022-2023 officers and warmly welcome our new leaders for 2023-2024. This special event serves as an open invitation for the community to discover the many benefits of joining Kiwanis.
We’re excited to feature Yash Samat, a member of the Mountain Lakes High School Key Club, as our guest speaker. Mountain Lakes High School Chartered in 1992, the Key Club showcases youth leadership and service, embodying the spirit of giving back to the community in partnership with Kiwanis.
Location: Gateway Community Resource Center, 513 Birch Street, Boonton. 6:00 p.m. For More Info: Contact Frank Cahill at (973) 559-6000.
️ Entry: Open to the public and absolutely free!
Come, celebrate, and learn how Kiwanis positively impacts our community!
MORRIS COUNTY — We’re excited to announce that Frank Cahill, the dedicated publisher of Morris Focus, is set to receive well-deserved recognition during the prestigious Morris County Chamber of Commerce’s “Business Outlook 2024 + Annual Leaders in Business Awards.” The event promises not only to celebrate local business achievements but also to provide profound insights into the economic future.
Date: Thursday, November 2
⏰ Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Venue: Park Avenue Club, Florham Park
Keynote Address by Dr. Charles Steindel: Gain valuable knowledge from Dr. Charles Steindel, the renowned Editor of Business Economics and a former heavyweight at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He’ll delve into local and national economic conditions, consumer spending and saving trends, and the critical topic of productivity growth.
Honoring Excellence in Business: Celebrate the accomplishments of local business leaders:
Solo-Entrepreneur: Frank Cahill, Publisher, Morris Focus / CEO Zoomus Marketing
Small Business: Mara Kimowitz, Chief Creative Officer, StretchSource
Mid to Large Business: Patricia O’Rourke, Senior Director, Global Distribution Operations, Tiffany & Co.
Dynamic Business Leaders Panel: Engage with an insightful discussion moderated by Meghan Hunscher, President & CEO of Morris County Chamber + EDC. Our esteemed panelists include:
Marc Adee, Chairman & CEO, Crum & Forster
Jill Massey, VP, Global Medical Strategic Operations, Gilead Sciences
Eric Seguin, President & COO, Solix
Dennis Wilson, President & CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey
Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and celebrate the vibrant business community of Morris County!
️ Reserve Your Spot!Click here for tickets or contact Kevin Murphy for availability and unique sponsorship opportunities.
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Elections Provide Three Ways to Vote The League of Women Voters of the Morristown Area (League) wants voters to know the 2023 General Election is here.
This year, New Jersey will elect all Senators and Assembly persons, select County Commissioners, and some municipal and Boards of Education representatives.
There are three ways to vote in New Jersey: Early In-Person; Vote-By-Mail; and In-Person on Election Day.
1) Early In-Person – Weekends were made for voting! There’s no need to wait to cast your vote since early in-person voting starts on Saturday, October 28, and goes through Sunday, November 5. In Morris County you can vote at any of eight polling locations from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. To find an early polling location near you, click here, the League of Women Voters one-stop shop for election information.
On Thursday, October 26, the Morristown Area League is joining thousands of nonpartisan organizations nationwide to celebrate Vote Early Day, a civic holiday created to empower Americans to share their voices by casting their ballot before Election Day. The League advocated for the passage of In-Person Early Voting in New Jersey. By providing an opportunity to vote early and in person, voters overcome barriers like long lines at polling places on Election Day, last-minute problems getting to the polls, voter disinformation, and other challenges, which can lead to voters not casting their ballots. When Americans are educated about their voting options and are given the tools to cast their ballots in a way that works for them, nothing can stop them from having their voices heard.
Last year, nearly 3,000 businesses, nonprofits, campus groups, election officials, media companies, and others came together to celebrate this civic holiday. On Vote Early Day 2022, we saw over 3,000,000 votes cast, which led to a 4.6% overall increase in the total number of Americans voting in person or by mail.
2) Vote-By-Mail
There is still time to apply for a Vote-by-Mail (VBM) ballot by mailing a completed application found by clicking here. Applications for VBM ballots must be received by October 31 or delivered, in person, to your County Clerk’s office before 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6. You can check your VBM status using the NJ-Elections Track My Ballot Tool or by contacting the County Clerk at [email protected] or (973) 285-6066.
Don’t wait until the last minute to return your VBM ballot! You can do so in one of three ways: place your ballot in a secure ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7 (Election Day); by mail, postmarked by November 7; or in person at the Board of Elections office, which in Morris County is located at 10 Court Street, Morristown, by 8:00 p.m. on November 7.
3) Election Day in Person For voters who choose to vote in person on Election Day, find your polling location by clicking here.
If you are waiting in line at 8:00 p.m., you will be allowed to vote. Don’t leave! To learn more about candidates on your ballot, view the nonpartisan candidates’ forums on the LWV Morristown Area’s YouTube channel.
The Township of Hanover has a Township Committee form of government comprising five members.
Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, Mayor
Michael A. Mihalko, Deputy Mayor
Brian J. Cahill, Committeeman
John L. Ferramosca, Committeeman
Ronald F. Francioli, Committeeman
Committeeman Ferramosca recognized Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 6904 of Knights of Columbus for their continuous and commendable service
HANOVER — The Hanover Township Committee, in their meeting on Thursday, October 12, started with a poignant moment led by Committeeman Ferramosca. He initiated a period of reflection and prayers for the victims of the Hamas attacks that took place in Israel on Saturday, October 7. The Committee showcased its firm support for Israel in these trying times.
Following this, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 6904 of Knights of Columbus was recognized for its continuous and commendable service to the Hanover community. Committeeman Ferramosca enumerated their various contributions, from helping local churches in their fundraising efforts to cooking for community gatherings, providing hurricane relief, supporting the differently-abled and the special needs community, and offering financial assistance to graduating students in the form of grants and scholarships. This heartfelt recognition was met with unanimous applause from the Township Committee.
The Morris County Board of Commissioners have recognized "Domestic Violence Awareness Month. From left are: Commissioner Stephen Shaw, Commissioner Director John Krickus, JBWS President and CEO Diane Williams, Commissioner Deb Smith, Commissioner Deputy Director Christine Myers, Commissioners Tayfun Selen, Doug Cabana and Tom Mastrangelo.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners observed October 2023 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” and presented a framed proclamation to Jersey Battered Women’s Services (JBWS) President and CEO Diane Williams during the Thursday, October 12, work session meeting in Morristown.
“Every October, Morris County observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And every year, sadly we need to acknowledge that domestic violence continues to be a widespread issue. While the pandemic certainly heightened an environment for domestic abuse to occur, we can’t ignore the factors that encourage its prevalence today,” said Commissioner Director John Krickus.
“In 2022, JBWS answered 4,532 helpline calls. Financial stressors across the nation play into this, as well as mental health issues. The isolation victims experience continues to hide the issue such that cases are often underreported. And it’s hidden in that abusers and victims aren’t always obvious. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and it ruins lives for all families involved,” he continued.
Morris County has a longstanding relationship with JBWS, which first opened its shelter doors to the community in late December 1978, according to the county.
Today, the agency has grown into a full-service, private, nonprofit domestic violence agency with programs that provide safety, support, and solutions for all survivors of abuse, according to the county
In 2016, JBWS founded the Morris Family Justice Center in partnership with the county’s Department of Human Services, Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Superior Court, Legal Services of Northwest Jersey, the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs, Morris County Bar Foundation and Morris CARES. The walk-in center on the 4th floor of the Admin and Records building provides a safer, more seamless response for families and people fleeing or seeking relief from abuse, giving them one place for counseling, protection, legal and immigration assistance, child services, and more.
This unique integration of supports doesn’t exist everywhere– Morris County’s center is only one of two in New Jersey. The model for the Family Justice Center is recognized as a best practice in the field of domestic violence by the U.S. Department of Justice.
In 2022, 470 adults and children received comprehensive services from multiple agencies within the Center, a statistic that has significantly increased in 2023. In just the first nine months of this year, 747 individuals have required the same level of assistance.
“It really speaks to the need in our shelter. From 2021 to 2023, we saw an 85 percent increase in the number of victims who needed shelter in Morris County. We have an incredible relationship with the county and the Commissioners, and it’s really the community that benefits from that. We are so grateful to have the Morris Family Justice Center because 747 individuals wouldn’t have had a place to go for help,” said Williams.
If a victim or survivor of dating, domestic, or partner abuse seeking support, contact the 24-Hour Helpline & Referral: 1.877.R.U.ABUSED or 1.877.782.2873
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers the option to chat or text with an advocate. Click “Chat Now” on the website or text LOVEIS to 22522.
For more information about the Morris Family Justice Center click here.
A recent incident in Boonton highlighted this audacity. David Vasa, 54, the former Chairman of the Boonton Democratic Committee, was captured on video removing a campaign sign of Republican Mayoral Candidate Jim Lynch. More notably, the sign wasn’t just any regular lawn sign but a 15-foot banner prominently displayed on the side of an RV.
