Lodi Schools Superintendent Douglas Petty (left) checks his cell phone during special Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, August 31
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Lodi Schools Superintendent Douglas J. Petty punched a woman in the head on a Seaside Heights street, then brawled with a man who came to her aid, according to police reports.
A Seaside Heights traffic police officer, Officer Timothy Farrell, reported seeing Petty, 46, of Cedar Knolls, punch the woman in the head with a closed fist near the corner of Sumner Avenue and Boulevard around 1:20 a.m. Sunday, August 25.
When additional officers arrived, Petty was on top of another man on the sidewalk as the traffic officer attempted to break up the fight and struggled to put Petty in handcuffs.
Douglas J. Petty was arrested for fighting on Sunday morning.
Seaside Heights Police Officer Erik Hershey took Petty into custody and charged him with “purposely, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another” — basically simple assault.
The second officer was able to cuff Petty, who was brought to the Seaside Heights police station. Petty was charged just after 5:15 a.m. the same day with simple assault with intent to cause bodily injury — a disorderly persons offense.
A conviction for a disorderly persons offense carries a maximum possible sentence of up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
He was ordered released by a Superior Court judge later that day pending a scheduled September 14 first appearance in Municipal Court in Seaside Heights.
Petty, who left as principal of a public school in Newark to become Lodi’s schools chief in November 2019
He attended the Lodi Board of Education meeting on Wednesday according to Lodi Live. The topic didn’t come up at the meeting, which was live-streamed.
The Board Attorney should have advised immediately to suspend Douglas Petty upon arrest and pending court matter. Instead, Joseph Garcia sat on stage with Petty in a nonchalant manner. Garcia is a partner in the Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC.
Because of conflicts of interest, Board President Nancy Cardone (Relatives on the BOE payroll), Board Vice President Sharon Salvacion (daughter is a Lodi teacher), and Appointed Trustee Marjorie Breitweiser (daughter-in-law is a Lodi teacher) are prohibited from all matters pertaining to the Superintendent, Doug Petty. Therefore, possibly six board members could participate in superintendent discussions and take action.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
File Photo. Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Officer Emmanuel Malasig charged Mr. Justin Davis, 30, Paterson, with shoplifting on Wednesday, August 10.
Officer Malasig responded to the Wegmans for a reported shoplifter that had left the store. Mr. Davis was approached by loss prevention upon leaving the store and not paying for approximately $900.00 in merchandise.
He then fled the scene but left his bag in the shopping cart that contained his ID with the stolen merchandise. Video surveillance and identification left behind by Mr. Davis confirmed he was responsible for the theft.
He was charged with shoplifting and was provide a court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
File Photo. Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer Daniel Acquaro arrested Ms. Yolanda Jones, a 49 year old currently residing at the Red Carpet Inn, 1255 Route 10 East, Whippany, for shoplifting on Friday, August 9.
Officer Acquaro responded to the Wegmans for a shoplifter who had fled the scene.
Ms. Jones was known to Wegmans loss prevention due to past incidents and believed she stayed at the Red Carpet Inn. Patrols responded to the hotel and located Ms. Jones sitting in her vehicle.
After a review of the surveillance camera, Ms. Jones was arrested and charged with shoplifting approximately $730.00 worth of merchandise.
She was processed and released pending her court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Sergeant Anthony Vitanza arrested Mr. Sebastian Arias, 25, Morristown, for DWI on Wednesday, August 3.
Mr. Arias was originally stopped for a motor vehicle violation when the odor of burnt marijuana was detected. Subsequent file sobriety tests resulted in Mr. Arias arrest.
He was issued motor vehicle summons for noisy muffler, cracked windshield, DWI, failure to wear seatbelt and careless driving.
He was released pending his court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer Anthony D’Angelo charged Mr. Coley Daniels, 50, Boonton, (currently homeless) with defiant trespassing on Friday, July 29.
Officer D’Angelo responded to the Walmart fort an individual riding away with an electric shopping cart.
Upon arrival, Mr. Daniels was located and after verifying he was on the no trespass list for Walmart, he was issued a special complaint summons for trespassing an for littering.
He was advised of his court date and was released.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Officer Richard Camasta charged Mr. Coley Daniels, 50, Boonton, (currently homeless) with defiant trespassing on Wednesday, July 27.
Officer Camasta was called to respond to the Quick Chek on South Jefferson Road for an individual trespassing. Upon arrival, Officer Camasta located Mr. Daniels, verified that he was on the trespass list and issued him a special complaint summons for trespassing.
The purple flags symbolize the Angels we loved and lost to an overdose in Morris County
MORRIS COUNTY — With heart-wrenching personal stories, parents who lost loved-ones to overdoses and recovering addicts today joined Morris County and state officials, as well as nonprofit groups to observe International Overdose Awareness Day, as drug related deaths continued to surge around the nation.
The annual event, observed worldwide for 21 years to focus on the lives lost to drug deaths, was recognized during a ceremony on the lawn of the Morris County Addiction Center off Central Avenue, in Parsippany, where Morris County planted a weeping cherry tree in 2020 to mark the county’s inaugural recognition of the day.
Mark and Maria Broadhurst of Long Valley talk about losing their son, Joshua
Among those who talked of struggling with addiction and a need for understanding in the community were Mark and Maria Broadhurst of Long Valley, who lost a son to addiction and opened a nonprofit in his name, “Joshua’s Peace,” to advocate for support, treatment, prevention and to help others struggling with addiction.
Joshua Broadhurst
“On December 6, 2019, a day before my birthday and what was supposed to be a special weekend of celebration, our son, Joshua, the oldest of our five children, died from accidental overdose. I say accidental overdose because we know he wanted to live. We know he fought his addiction hard. We know more than anything else in his 24 years, his family was the most important thing in his life,” Maria Broadhurst said in a tearful speech.
Both Broadhursts said the public must understand that addiction is a disease that can be overcome, that people with problems must know they can ask for help and that the road to recovery is hard, but it is not impossible.
“Unless you are wearing these shoes yourself, struggling with addiction, you have no idea,” said Mark Broadhurst, holding up a pair of red sneakers that were Joshua’s favorite footwear. “You can’t truly understand how devastating, how all-encompassing and life-threatening this disease is. If we are going to help our children and those struggling, we must never forget this fact.”
Mark and Maria Broadhurst display Joshua’s favorite sneakers as they make a point
Overdose deaths spiked again across the nation in 2021, hitting 107,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That marks another record high, with records being set nearly every year for the past decade.
“Abuse and addiction doesn’t have to end in tragedy. Help is available and effective. The message must be for those wrestling with demons: Do not give up. Talk to somebody. Get help. Utilized the support of your friends, family and loved ones,” said State Senator Anthony M. Bucco, who moderated the event.
Assemblywoman Aura Dunn
His office hosted the ceremony with Morris County Commissioners Tayfun Selen and Deborah Smith, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, members of the Morris County Department of Human Services, Brad Seabury of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.
State Senator Anthony M. Bucco
Morris County Commissioner Director Selen noted the national death toll due to overdose appears unabated, despite an increase in awareness, education and programs.
“What troubles me today, however, is that our nation seems to be accepting this terrible toll as a fact of life – and I am not sure why,” said Director Tayfun Selen.
He cited two Pew Research surveys released this year, one showing the number of Americans who say drug addiction is a major problem in their local community dropped from 42 percent in 2018 to 35 percent last year. It also showed that decline in concern is even in areas where overdose deaths are highest.
“This is terrible to learn, my friends, because when our fellow Americans no longer care, how can we expect our federal government to care. A separate Pew study this year showed that dealing with drug addiction ranked lowest out of 18 priorities for the President and Congress to address this year,” Selen explained. “Now, I know we have a lot of problems to solve in America. We live in tough times. But I think the death of more than 107,000 friends, neighbors and family members each year to overdoses should at least be among America’s top 10 national concerns.”
Sen. Bucco and Director Selen chat with Cheryl Semiz, who spoke about becoming addicted as a teenager and overdosing before entering recovery
Cheryl Semiz, Frances Harrington and Michael Dickerson, all recovering addicts, spoke to the Overdose Awareness Day gathering of nearly 100 people about turning from their personal struggles toward helping others to overcome addiction. Each also explained how they lost friends to overdoses and have watched others become addicted.
Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon
But Sheriff Gannon offered some hope, noting the news is not all dismal. Morris County’s community response over the years to addiction, through numerous nonprofits and county programs such as Hope One, Navigating Hope and a “Stigma Free” campaigns, appears to have had some impact, although tragic overdoses continue.
Frances Harrington
“As of right now in Morris County, we’ve had 71 suspected fatal overdoses so far this year –that’s a 16 percent decrease,” the Sheriff said. “We’ve had a decrease in suicides and a decrease in fatal overdoses. It could change on a dime … But we’ve also seen an increase in the number of calls for service to our police officers for emotionally disturbed persons and mental illness. I have to believe that there is something going on.”
However, nationally the problem is increasing.
Brad Seabury, Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Morris CountyMichael Dickerson
“Twenty-three and a half million individuals across our nation are in need of addiction treatment for alcohol and drugs – 23-1/2 million. Unfortunately, only around 11 percent of those individuals struggling with the disease of addiction will seek treatment. Eleven percent,” said Brad Seabury, Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Morris County. “That is why we are seeing the deaths that we are seeing in this nation and why so much of that is because of the stigma associated with this disease … I would suggest to you that it is the barrier to us beating this and we have an obligation to tear down that stigma.”
On the state level, New Jersey overdose deaths had been increasing until this year, although there are four months yet to go.
“Overdose deaths are higher than ever before in New Jersey, increasing by more than six percent – 204 more lost lives. Emergency room visits for substance abuse disorders increased nearly 30 percent,” said Assemblywoman Dunn. “For those loved ones who must live on with the pain, today we have the opportunity to turn that pain into purpose.”
New Jersey confirmed 2,914 drug overdoses in 2019, compared to 3,050 suspected drug overdose deaths in 2020 and 3,124 suspected overdose deaths in 2021. However, to date, the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner lists 1,894 suspected overdose death, putting the state on track to actually have a decline for 2022.
Morris County’s mobile recovery access vehicle offers critical support for persons struggling with addiction, with the goals of preventing drug overdoses and deaths, as well as mental health services.
BOONTON — The GFWC Woman’s Club of Boonton, a non profit, community service organization is holding a garage sale fundraiser, Sunday, September 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The address is 425 Old Boonton Road, Boonton. Cash only. Lots of items for sale, very affordable, and all proceeds support local charities.
The club is actively looking for new members! Today women’s clubs meet for community service, developing friendships, and to have fun. The club meets the second Thursday of the month. For more information, email the club at [email protected] or visit their Facebook page.
The Woman’s Club of Boonton is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC) of GFWC, which was founded in 1894. Visit their website at njsfwc.org.
Corporal Joe DiRocco, Peter Daniele, Arleen Kirwan & Sophie, Chamber President Robbin Salmeri and PBA President Corporal Travis Daniel
MADISON — The Madison Area Chamber of Commerce and Madison P.B.A. #92 is hosting their 29th Annual Madison Car Show on Saturday, October 1. This popular event runs in conjunction with Madison’s Bottle Hill Day street festival. Madison Tire & Auto Repair, 285 Main Street is the event’s main sponsor.
The Madison Car Show is held in the parking lot of the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps headquarters at the corner of Kings Road and Prospect Street. The event site is a short walk from the Bottle Hill Day festivities, which are centered in Madison’s business district.
One of the most prestigious automotive events in New Jersey, the Madison Car Show features many vehicles in several classes, including hot rods, trucks, customs, antiques, classics and street machines. There is no set price for fan admission, but donations are encouraged and generously accepted at the gate.
Peter Daniele, the proprietor of Rose City Collision, 291 Main Street, is the long-time chair of the Madison Car Show committee. Daniele is also a vice president of the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, a independent, non-profit business league.
“We are expecting several hundred car enthusiasts to enjoy the sparkle, shine and spectacle of several dozen unique automobiles and trucks right here in our hometown, the Rose City, for one day only,” said Daniele. “The site of the car show is located between Madison’s Borough Hall and the Madison Public Safety Building on the corner of Prospect Street.”
“This event attracts great cars and produces a very fun atmosphere,” said Robbin Salmeri, owner of Cleaners Advantage. The Madison Car Show showcases the businesses of our local automotive industry and helps to raise the prestige of the community,” Salmeri is also the president of the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce.
Show participants are eligible to win awards and door prizes. The Best in Show award is sponsored by Pine Manor Associates, Painting & Wallcovering Specialists, 22 Drew Pl. The grand door prize is a $500.00 Stop & Shop Gift Card donated by Stop & Shop, 133 Main St. All car show entrants are eligible to enter the drawing.
The Madison Car Show features eight top awards, twelve special awards, which include categories for engine, paint, type of vehicle and more plus “Top 50” awards for the best fifty entries. All awards are sponsored by the local businesses.
The Madison Car Show begins at 9:00 a.m. The awards ceremony starts at 3:00 p.m. To be eligible for judging and prizes, all cars must arrive at the show no later than 11:00 a.m.
DJ Jerry Wolfman Burst will spin the music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. On-street parking is free in Madison.
The car show committee invites all car show enthusiasts to pre-register their vehicles by Saturday, September 24 for the discounted fee of $15.00 and to guarantee participation. The day-of-registration is $20.00.
Registration forms may be obtained by calling Peter Daniele at (973) 377-4037. On the day of the show please call 973-886-7849 with questions or concerns.
MORRIS COUNTY — There is no argument that Parsippany boasts a highly impressive and multi-diverse culinary scene that is second to none. At the intersection of Littleton and Parsippany Roads in the Littleton Plaza you will find one of the township’s longest standing Indian restaurants, Chand Palace. Chand Palace originally opened its doors in 1986 and has been a staple of Parsippany ever since. You must be doing something extremely right to survive 36 years, specializing in vegetarian Indian cuisine, in a community with multiple outstanding Indian restaurants, and with a population of over 20% people of Indian American decent, with discerning taste when it comes to authentic food.
The walls covered with soft ivory colored wallpaper and adorned with tasteful modern artwork
It was my first visit to Chand Palace, after hearing so many suggestions and positive comments about it, I had to stop in. Chand Palace has recently changed hands as of October 2021, and is now owned by Manan Saxena, who is carrying on the restaurant’s legacy by serving only the finest, freshest, authentic, vegetarian cuisine. Mr. Saxena’s passion to provide a superior dining experience was evident during our conversation and I will get back to our conversation a little later in this review.
Pulling into the strip mall parking lot, Chand Palace is situated in the middle of several other Indian markets and businesses. The unassuming facade certainly was not indicative of what one will find once inside. On entry, I was pleasantly surprised with the casual yet upscale, stylish, modernistic, dining room that immediately caught my attention. Our group was warmly greeted by the welcoming staff, as Manager Sarok Shrestha, offered us a table of our choice. We were led to one of the many attractive gold leaf and black trimmed tables, set for four, arranged perfectly, with sparkling glass and silverware. Chand Palace is a BYOB, so we did bring our own wine, which was uncorked and poured without delay. Our server, Itika, could not have been more attentive, helpful or pleasant.
The ambiance was wonderfully comfortable, family friendly, with soft music playing in the background, bright and airy, immaculately clean, with high ceilings which subdued any surrounding noise, walls covered with soft ivory colored wallpaper and adorned with tasteful modern artwork. The rich looking red carpeting, crystal chandeliers, clean and bright white walls and ceiling, with touches of red brick in an attached dining room, perfectly complemented the interior.
The carefully prepared buffet set up, arranged near the rear of the dining area, was appealing. There was an abundance of fresh foods, lots of color and pleasing aromas, with a lavish variety of vegetarian cuisine. I counted over fourteen cold and hot entrée choices, five desserts, ice cream, and soup. Chand Palace is known for their buffet, and it appeared that every diner had come in just for that. Our server, Itika, suggested that we try the buffet so that we could get a nice sampling of the various dishes offered. One can also order straight from Chand’s full and extensive menu if that is your preference. We all decided to go with Itika’s suggestion, and it was a good decision!
This revolving style of service obviously keeps everything fresh and full of flavor.
Of note, the buffet changes its selections on a revolving basis. Lunch is different from dinner, and it is different every day of the week. Selections are chosen from all the different geographical areas of India so you may be served food from southern India on one day, and from the north on another. There are also Indo-Chinese dishes incorporated in the buffet. To ensure authenticity the kitchen staff is comprised of Chef’s from all the different sections of India. There is even a Chef who specializes in just Indo-Chinese cuisine. This revolving style of service obviously keeps everything fresh and full of flavor. Like the owner told me, “I want to bring every part of India to your table.” One of my guests, Marko, made the comment, “I have never experienced any other food with so much flavor as Indian food.” As we meticulously worked our way through the buffet, dish by dish, we could clearly detect the distinct tastes of sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness, cool, and spicy hot. It truly was like getting all the tastes of India in one sitting. No shortage of taste sensations here, and I think your palate will thank you for it. It is a misconception that Indian cuisine is always spicy hot. It is the spices that provide the flavor to the food, not the heat. Like any cuisine, if you want the heat level brought down on any dish, the restaurant will be glad to accommodate your tastes.
I consider myself a carnivore, but I was very satisfied with this full vegetarian meal. To authenticate the vegetarian status of the food the Chef’s do not even utilize eggs when preparing their dishes. The buffet consisted of Tom Yum Soup, Chana Masala, Spring Rolls, Jalapeno Cheese Samosas, Malai Kofta, Vegetable Hakka Noodles, Jeera Rice, Aloo Tikki, Bhindi Masala, Dal Makhni, Saag, Dal Makhni, Thai Green Curry, Vegetable Fried Rice; and for dessert Gajar Halwa, Gulab Jamun, Ras Malai, Jalebi, Indian Sweets, and Ice Cream. Garlic Naan and Chole Bhature (Curry Bread) also came with the meal. We all went up several time to try to sample everything we could, until we just could not take another bite. It was a great dining experience.
Itika serving Chole Bhature (Curry Bread)
I did get an opportunity to sit down with owner/restauranteur, Manan Saxena, for some quick background information. Mr. Saxena, a very friendly, personable, and enthusiastic man, was born in Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state. Jaipur is famous for its traditional cuisine, as well as for its spices and sweets.
He was born into a family with a long history in the food industry and that is where his love of food began. He arrived in America in 2009, where like many a great restaurateur learned his trade from the ground up. Following jobs as a dishwasher, busser, hospitality assistant, and assistant manager to a restaurant, he began fine tuning his trade as a catering manager.
Mr. Saxena utilized his growing knowledge, skills, abilities, and passion to eventually lead him to his first venture, Chand Palace, taking a dangerous chance and opening it during the pandemic. When I asked him why he would take such a chance, he stated, “I was an Indian boy who came to America with a lot of dreams. You can fail one time, you can fail two times, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. I took a chance opening Chand Palace at the end of the pandemic based on my faith and ability on Indian food and culture to succeed.” “This Country gives you a lot, it is like a force of water; you have to drink it, the opportunities are there.”
For dessert Gajar Halwa
Mr. Saxena will be opening his second restaurant, AAZ (own style) on December 1 in Franklin Park.
The restaurant is currently offering a couple of specials you might be interested in. Family Fun Day: Kids (under 11) eat free on Mondays, with the purchase of one adult buffet (not valid on holidays or long weekends. Thirsty Thursdays: Offering a free freshly made (non-alcoholic) drink with the purchase of one adult buffet, through September.
If you are a vegetarian, I would think this is the place for you. If you have not tried vegetarian cuisine of India yet, I would suggest you stop in and give it a try. I am sure you will enjoy the experience, and believe me, you will not even notice the absence of meat.
Chand Palace is located at 257 Littleton Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. (973) 334-5444; or visit www.chandpalaceparsippany.com.
