MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio called the right to vote one of our most paramount rights, and once again criticized Governor Murphy’s governing by edict.

Murphy declared the July 7 primary, delayed from the original June 2 date, will “mostly be vote-by-mail.”

“Residents have made sacrifices to do everything the Governor asked us to do to flatten the curve and prevent the spread of the virus,” Pennacchio said. “The curve has flattened and continues to flatten, but Murphy has given up on moving the state forward and returning to normalcy. He is a governor of executive orders and emergency declarations.”

Pennacchio noted that the state and nation have held elections during crises before without impact on the polls.

“Instead of giving our residents hope, this is a message of despair. July 7 is more than 50 days away, but in Murphy’s mind, the virus will still be controlling us and we will not have any semblance of normalcy returning to the state,” said Pennacchio (R-26).

Pennacchio said he hopes politics isn’t playing a role in today’s announcement.

“The governor needs to answer this question: Has he had conversations with federal or state officials of his political party and did that impact this decision in any way? That is a question that needs to be answered.

“This is why we need a Senate Select Committee to analyze, in real-time, the Governor’s edicts during the coronavirus crisis,” concluded Pennacchio.

MORRIS COUNTY —  Interested in learning more about the high-quality education provided by your community college, close to home? The County College of Morris (CCM) Admissions Office will be holding “Titan Tuesday” online information sessions every week at 7:00 p.m. through the spring and summer so prospective students, their parents and guardians, and adults looking for a career change can learn about all CCM has to offer.

Each session, hosted by an Admissions counselor, will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the college’s academic programs, transfer agreements to earn a bachelor’s degree, student services, and co-curricular programs. The admissions and registration process also will be covered and a questions and answers session held during each session. Summer classes at CCM start May 26 with a total of five sessions being offered, with the others starting on June 1, June 29, June 30, and August 3. The Fall Semester begins on September 9. Several mini terms also are offered during the fall.
Preregistration for Titan Tuesday is required by clicking here. Login information to join a session will be emailed following registration.

In several sessions, the Admission staff will be joined by the college’s academic deans to highlight programs in the School of Business, Mathematics, Engineering and Technologies, the School of Health Professions and Natural Sciences, and the School of Liberal Arts. A schedule of what schools will be featured during these sessions can be found on the Visiting Us website.

In addition, the information will be provided on the Challenger Program that CCM provides so high school students can get a jump start on their college education.
This summer, CCM will be offering all summer classes online. The college also has moved its students support services online for spring and summer, including The Academic Success Center (TASC), which was expanded into TASCPlus, which provides individualized online assistance from updating students on the status of classes to connecting them to a student success specialist or counselor through phone and virtual meetings. Other services the college is offering online are Academic Advisement, Online Tutoring, and Live Chats with Librarians.

MORRIS COUNTY — Visual/Graphic Arts teacher at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, Arlene Sullivan, delivered 200 transparent medical masks to facilities in need this past week.  Masks were given out to Wayne healthcare workers in Care One, thanks to the request of Gary Marchese, a dedicated volunteer and to Preakness Healthcare Center/WPU testing site, thanks to Passaic County Freeholder, John Bartlett.  In addition, masks also went to The Chelsea in Montville and the Kessler Rehab Hospital in Saddle Brook, due to direct requests for help.

Sullivan has been 3D printing Prusa 3 parts practically nonstop since the shut down began in mid-March.  Working with a grassroots organization in Newton which started out with robotics teachers in three Sussex County high schools, Newton High, Lenape Valley, and Vernon and has now expanded to over 50 participants, Sullivan has been delivering printed parts weekly to Jim Hofmann in Newton where they are assembled, packaged in bundles of 25 and delivered to hospitals in need.  “Originally the goal was 1000 but with all the volunteers joining in, we have distributed over 5000 and the number is growing because the need for safety equipment for healthcare workers is still so desperate. I am honored to be able to do something positive in these terribly frightening times.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (A3966), authorizing the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages by the holders of certain retail consumption licenses and concessionaire permits during the COVID-19 state of emergency

Under the bill, the holder of plenary retail consumption licenses, hotel or motel licenses, seasonal retail consumption licenses, or concessionaire permits, generally issued to bars and restaurants, would be permitted to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages in original containers or in closed and sealed containers and mixed cocktails in closed and sealed containers for consumption off the licensed premises during the state of emergency.

The bill would also allow craft distillery licensees to sell for consumption off the licensed premises distilled alcoholic beverages that are manufactured on the licensed premises and mixed or blended with other alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages and sold in closed and sealed containers.  Additionally, the bill would allow craft distilleries to sell distilled alcoholic beverages in original containers accompanied by one or more nonalcoholic beverages or foodstuffs that may be combined by the consumer to prepare a mixed drink.

“New Jersey’s restaurant and hospitality industry, like so many other businesses, has suffered tremendous financial losses due to COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “Allowing business owners with certain licenses and permits to sell beverages directly to consumers is a creative way to alleviate some of their financial uncertainty.”

“Local restaurants and bars that relied heavily on taproom revenues are finding it tough to make ends meet,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli. “This bill gives throws them a lifeline. It offers a chance to create more sustainable cash flow, so we can see the industry rebuild as we come out of this COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Despite their own struggles, distilleries have come to our aid and established themselves as selfless partners in this fight by shifting some of their production to hand sanitizer,” said Assemblyman Roy Freiman.“Giving them some financial leeway is how we thank them for their role in helping keep us all safe.”

“During my communications with our restaurant owners, they repeatedly asked for us to get this done,” said Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso. “This will help increase their sales and revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Restaurants and our hospitality businesses have been uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis, and we need to do all we can to help this vital industry stay afloat,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “With dining rooms and bars closed across our state, it makes no sense to ban restaurants and craft beverage manufacturers from offering alcoholic beverages for takeout and delivery, especially when liquor stores are already empowered to do the same. Allowing them to continue selling cocktails and other beverages directly to customers will be a small way to help this hard-hit industry regain some of the revenues they’ve lost.”

“Responsible residents who have been prisoners in their own homes can now buy cocktails made by their favorite bartenders for virtual happy hours with friends, and remote socializing,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon. “Eliminating some of the confusion in the marketplace helps restaurants and other enterprises, and provides desperately needed opportunities for out-of-work New Jerseyans – particularly bartenders. Small businesses with liquor licenses can use the help while the lockdown remains in effect.”

“Allowing restaurants to expand their opportunities to serve their customers will generate the much-needed revenue they need,” said Marilou Halvorsen, President & CEO of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association. “We appreciate the bill sponsors, legislature, and Governor’s support on this bill.”

The bill would expire six months following the date on which the state of emergency has ended; or on which the coronavirus-related occupancy or customer seating restrictions no longer apply to the licensed premises, whichever occurs later.

MORRIS COUNTY — In an effort to protect all New Jersey voters from the spread of COVID-19, Governor Phil Murphy today signed an executive order to create a modified vote-by-mail election for the July 7 Primary. The order requires that each county’s elections officials send vote-by-mail ballots to all registered Democratic and Republican voters and send VBM ballot applications to unaffiliated and inactive voters. All VBM ballots and VBM ballot applications will come with pre-paid postage.

“No one should have to choose between their health and exercising their right to vote,” said Governor Murphy. “By providing vote-by-mail ballots and applications, New Jersey voters will be able to safely participate in our democracy as the pandemic continues to threaten our public health.”

“As a state at the center of the COVID-19 crisis, New Jersey has to modify to our primary to ensure that our voters have access to free, fair, and safe elections,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “By providing every voter access to a vote by mail ballot, we are protecting our residents and democracy. As our state embarks on the road to recovery, voters will have the opportunity to choose our leaders without risking their health.”

The order also requires opening a minimum of at least one polling place in each municipality and provided that there are enough poll workers, a minimum of 50 percent of polling places in each county to provide New Jersey voters who may need access to in-person voting opportunities. Polling locations will be required to follow public health standards including ensuring six feet of distance, requiring poll workers to wear face coverings and gloves, frequent sanitization of high-touch areas, and providing sanitization materials to all individuals at a polling place.

MORRIS COuNTY — The New Jersey Department of Human Services has received more than $2.8 million in federal funding to support behavioral health services during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) funding will be used to expand access to counseling and other supports during the pandemic. The funding was awarded to the Department’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).

“These funds will help New Jerseyans facing behavioral health issues during this crisis get the emotional support they need,” Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said. “We are here to help. We have launched the NJMentalHealthCares helpline at 1-866-202-HELP to provide New Jerseyans a safe space to connect and discuss the anxiety we all feel in this challenging time.  With this new funding, we will be able to add additional services and supports.”

These resources will enable us to implement critically-needed mental health support and are another example of the strength of New Jersey’s partnership with both FEMA and SAMHSA,” DMHAS Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke said.

With the $2 million in SAMHSA funding, Human Services is funding Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, which will serve as the coordinating entity to provide treatment, supports, and referrals to treatment through expanded access to tele-mental health.  These resources are expected to help serve as many as 2,500 individuals statewide.  The SAMHSA funding also will allow Human Services to work with the Department of Children and Families to provide peer recovery supports.

The $882,035 grant from FEMA will help fund the NJ Hope and Healing Crisis Counseling Program, which will be run by Human Services with services provided by Catholic Charities, Family Services Bureau of Newark, and the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.  To date, DMHAS has been providing virtual training and drop-in support sessions to first responders, among several other groups.

The additional FEMA resources will support the training of more counselors, appropriate social distancing outreach, informational materials, and increased linkages to resources.

Department resources for those concerned about their mental health, the mental health of someone they love, or someone who just needs a safe place to talk about their anxieties in this uncertain time include the NJMentalHealthCares helpline 1-866-202-HELP (4357), available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week for free, confidential support by live trained specialists.

Also, a videophone mental health helpline is available to deaf and of hearing individuals in partnership with ACCESS at St. Joseph’s in Paterson. New Jerseyans can call the videophone helpline at (973) 870-0677 for free, confidential support in American Sign Language from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.