MORRIS COUNTY — Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi determined that based upon an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Clifton Police Department, Digna A. Lazala, 63, of Randolph, was charged on August 5, 2021, with obstructing and hindering the investigation of a fatal motor vehicle accident that took place on August 3, in the parking lot of the Aldi supermarket in Clifton.

Ms. Lazala was charged with Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function, a disorderly person offense, and Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a disorderly person’s offense. She was also issued a traffic summons for Careless Driving and Failure to Report an Accident.

On August 3, Ms. Lazala was driving a 2010 Honda Pilot in the parking lot of Aldi, located at 56 Lakeview Avenue in Clifton, when she struck Chloe Villar-Severino, 31, of Clifton.

Ms. Villar-Severino was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey where she was pronounced deceased on August 4.

Although Ms. Lazala was driving the car that struck Ms. Villar-Severino, she told police that she was not involved in the collision.

The sentencing exposure on disorderly person offenses is up to six months in jail.

Ms. Lazala’s charges and traffic summons were transferred to the Clifton Municipal Court, and she was released pending further court proceedings.

MORRIS COUNTY — Before Governor Phil Murphy mandates masks in schools today, Assemblyman Brian Bergen has a message: Mandating masks in schools has more negatives than positives.

“What I am hearing is that mandating masks makes things more difficult for everyone,” said Bergen (R-Morris), a parent of two school-age children and the husband of a teacher.

“The governor’s new mandate and the CDC recommendations are looking at the issue from only one angle,” continued Bergen. “They are not considering the damage to our kid’s emotional wellbeing.  We need to add that element, and when we do, the answer is no mandatory masking in schools. The long-term harm to kids from masking is psychologically enormous and disrupts learning.”

Experts have raised legitimate concerns that the risks of masking outweigh the potential benefits for children because masking children can negatively impact communication, learning, emotional and social development.

Bergen has been critical of the governor’s unchecked unilateral powers since the beginning of the pandemic and introduced legislation to rein in the governor’s executive order authority.  His bill (A4147) would force all emergency executive orders to expire after 14 days without an extension granted by the Legislature, which was moved six times for a vote but rejected by Democrats.  Instead, Democrats rushed through a bill codifying Murphy’s ability to use his powers through the end of the year before breaking for the summer and fall elections.

“The state Legislature is on a ‘break’ while Governor Murphy continues to rule with no oversight. It is very undemocratic,” concluded Bergen.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Murphy’s decision to require masks in schools will once again impede the educational development of the state’s schoolchildren, Senator Joe Pennacchio said.

“The Delta variant does not change the fact that children are not susceptible to the virus and they don’t spread it,” said Pennacchio. “Today’s edict is devoid of any science and data in its support. After all the deaths, shutdowns, and closed businesses, should this Governor be taken seriously?

“The sad fact is masks inhibit communication in classrooms and obstruct learning. My Republican colleagues and I held a virtual hearing on masks, and we heard from experts who asserted that masks in school are more trouble than they are worth,” Pennacchio said. “This is yet another unilateral mandate announced by the Governor that ignores the elected Legislature and the role of parents in protecting their children. Now is not the time to revert to unjustified mask mandates.”

Senator Pennacchio (R-26) was joined by Senator Bob Singer (R-30), Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40), Senator Michael Doherty (R-23), Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39), medical experts, school officials, parents, and advocates for a virtual discussion on the science and data for unmasking New Jersey children on July 8.

Click here to view the hearing.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation, A4640/S2886, amending New Jersey’s standby guardianship laws to expand caregivers’ ability to make prospective alternative arrangements for their children in case of an emergency. This new law will help streamline the process to allow parents and guardians to designate alternative caregivers temporarily without going to court.

“When parents are unable to care for their children due to unforeseeable or emergent circumstances, they should have the right to choose their caregivers,” said Governor Murphy. “This legislation will help parents make these necessary arrangements and give them peace of mind knowing that their children are being cared for.” 

“This new law will provide a real sense of security for parents or caregivers who are unable to care for their children due to unforeseen or emergency circumstances,” said DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. “Families know best who in their social circle is ready, willing and able to provide temporary care to their child/ren without unnecessary agency or court involvement.” 

“The sad reality is that many parents find themselves in situations where they could have to leave their children on a moment’s notice, be it the possibility of a military deployment or ICE detention,” said Senator M. Teresa Ruiz. “By expanding the existing standby guardian law, we can ensure these individuals are able to create an action plan ahead of time, so they are confident their children will be in good hands should they be unable to care for them. This important legislation will pave the way for that.”

“With this expansion, standby guardianship will provide peace of mind for countless residents who for one reason or another are unable to look after their children,” said Senator Nellie Pou. “This is one humane thing we can do for families living in uncertain times. Not only is it good for the parents, but it is good for the children, providing them with continuity during an otherwise stressful and scary period.”

“This law will ensure more children receive the proper care and supervision they need if their parent is unable to provide adequate care due to challenging circumstances outside of their control,” said Assemblymembers Raj Mukherji and Carol Murphy, in a joint statement. “Rather than limiting standby guardianship to situations involving chronic or fatal illnesses, we must also acknowledge the possibility of military service, incarceration, and other life events to restrict a parent’s ability to care for their child. New Jerseyans deserve the opportunity to delegate parental powers to a trusted adult in these scenarios without encountering needless barriers. This is a common-sense law that will benefit families in difficult situations throughout our state.”

“Under the new law, children can now avoid emergency placements in group settings and/or in the households of strangers if their parents designate family or friends as caregivers,” said Randi Mandelbaum, 

Professor of Law and Director of the Child Advocacy Clinic at Rutgers Law School.

“The Consortium applauds the Governor, the Legislature, and the advocates for children who worked to make this bill a law,” said Emily Chertoff, Executive Director of the New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children. “Every family should be able to plan in case a parent or caregiver is detained, hospitalized, or otherwise incapacitated. A4640 will make it easier to give children the stability they deserve.” < “The bill will help ensure the safety and well-being of immigrant children by allowing their caregivers to quickly and easily make alternative arrangements for their care if the caregivers are facing deportation, a grave illness, or other situations that leave them unable to care for the child,” said Gilda Holguin, Managing Attorney of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Newark. “It will help ensure that immigrant children continue to receive the care they deserve and that alternative caregivers can advocate for the child’s needs at school and for healthcare, among other key issues.”

MORRISTOWN — Surrogate Heather Darling kicks off August by recognizing National Make-A-Will Month with her Surrogate’s Session “Simple Steps to Make Your Will” and by introducing the Morris County Surrogate’s new booklet “The Personal Record” which will be made available through the Surrogate’s Office and in downloadable format at the Surrogate’s website.

“I cannot reinforce enough that EVERYONE needs a Will. A clearly written Will leaves your family and friends with your exact wishes,” said Surrogate Darling.

The Surrogate’s Session “Simple Steps to Make Your Will” is planned for August 18, 2021, at 12:00 Noon. You can register for the online video seminar at the Surrogate’s website which you can participate in from the comfort of your home or office at no cost. The Surrogate will discuss in specifics exactly what you need to make your will and how to do it. It can be as simple as 1. Who do you want as executor? 2. Who do you want to be the legal guardians for your minor children? And 3. What do you want to be done with both your tangible and intangible property?

The Surrogate introduced “The Personal Record” booklet to provide citizens an easy and convenient place to organize and record their personal information. This booklet can serve as a roadmap for family members in the event of an emergency. “I have provided this guide to help Morris County citizens in this important life task and to help them think through what is important to them as well as provide direction in an emergency for friends and family members,” said Surrogate Darling. “This booklet goes as far as to list pets and who should care for them.” Surrogate Darling went on to say “The world today has become extremely complicated. As a Surrogate and as an attorney, I have seen many situations that have left family and friends without the necessary information to handle important personal business in an emergency. I hope this booklet can be of assistance both as a guide to estate planning fundamentals and in emergency situations to help the citizens of Morris County.”

Registration for the Surrogate’s Session and the downloadable booklet “The Personal Record” are available at www.morrissurrogate.com.