MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen, a former mayor of Chatham Township, was sworn in tonight as Director of the Board of County Commissioners after fellow board members Deborah Smith of Denville, John Krickus of Washington Township, and Stephen H. Shaw of Mountain Lakes were sworn in to new, three-year terms as Commissioners.

“I stand here as an American who appreciates everything this nation allowed me to achieve, and I want to continue paying America back through public service,” said Commissioner Director Selen, a Turkish immigrant who spoke tonight of moving to this nation 25-years ago.

He came with no money, unable to speak English and his first job was pumping gas at a service station in Madison, less than five miles from where he was being sworn in. By 2008, when he took the oath as an American citizen, he was leading the new branch development program for a major financial institution and later became mayor of Chatham Township.

“I am thankful to be living in Morris County – the best community anywhere – and with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic again at our doorstep, I will continue to work with this board to protect our residents and our business owners,” Selen said.

The annual Morris County Reorganization Meeting was held virtually this year due to a spike in the COVID-19 pandemic. Three Commissioners tuned in remotely via Webex, four others separately made their remarks before cameras in the Commissioners’ public meeting room in Morristown and the public watched remotely via Webex.

“Under trying circumstances, Morris County has stayed calm and carried on,” said Commissioner Krickus, as he was sworn into a new three-year term as Commissioner and separately as Deputy Director.

“We have enhanced our quality of life by funding open space, trails and our park system, which really came in handy during the pandemic. We have the financial and organizational strength to respond to every twist and turn in this pandemic. All accomplished while not increasing taxes, one of the few zero-percent inflation services you will find,” Krickus added.

Commissioner Shaw, the past-Director, was sworn into his second three-year term on the board by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce as his wife, Cindy, held the bible. He congratulated Director Selen and, in place of his remarks, deferred to the video encapsulating serious highlights of the past year and a bit of levity.

“While our jobs are very serious, we cannot take ourselves too seriously,” said Commissioner Shaw. “I am a firm believer that, especially during these trying times, we must pause from time to time and take a moment to laugh. I tried to do that throughout the year.”

The video included the launch of the Morris County COVID-19 Regional Vaccination Center as well as the launch of new programs and expansion of existing programs by Morris County, despite the pandemic.

Deborah Smith, who had served as Director and Deputy Director in 2020 and 2021, respectively, looked back at the ability of Morris County to continue providing services and expand programs while tackling the pandemic.

“We have been able to address the pandemic these past two years while still meeting our annual goals for bridge replacements, road repaving, infrastructure improvements, preserving historic sites, creating new trails, and saving more open space,” Smith said. “We have continued to assist our most vulnerable citizens, helping seniors and maintaining all of our Human Services programs. We also have maintained our Triple-A financial rating.”

Commissioner Director Selen was accompanied by his wife, Tulin, as he was sworn in as Director by Sheriff James Gannon. The Sheriff also swore Commissioner Smith to her new term, as her husband, Stephen, stood with her.

Commissioner Krickus was sworn to his new term by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn while accompanied by his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Kelly, and son-in-law, Garrett Lare. He was sworn in as Deputy Director by Sen. Anthony M. Bucco.

Participating in the swearing-in, in person, was Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. The invocation was provided, virtually, by The Reverend Rod Perez-Vega of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dover.

Singing the National Anthem, virtually, was Sara Lepre, a member of MAYO Performing Arts Centre’s Performing Arts Company.

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners will hold their next work session and regular meeting on January 12, 2022. The work session begins at 4:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. The meetings will be held virtually until further notice.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners announced the county will resume no-cost, COVID-19 testing inside the Student Center at the County College of Morris (CCM) on Monday, January 10 to help meet soaring demand.

Testing is available by appointment only.No one will be permitted to walk into the facility without an appointment, and appointments must be scheduled online by clicking here.

The center will be open seven days per week and appointments will be available between 7:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., except for a half-hour between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.

“We are meeting the increased demand of our residents for more testing facilities, and we want to take a tremendous burden off local hospitals where emergency room personnel have been overwhelmed by people walking in hoping to find tests,” said Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw.

Saint Clare’s Health and Morristown Medical Center/Atlantic Health System have noted that a Morris County testing center at CCM will relieve emergency department pressures.

“Our strategic planning committee had discussed the need for testing recently, and despite tight supplies and limited resources, we are pleased the county was able to launch this initiative.  Hopefully, the sharp increases in cases are plateauing, and we will have as sharp a decline,” said Commissioner John Krickus, referring to the board’s COVID-19 Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, of which he is a member.

Testing Center
Morris County and the County College of Morris will again collaborate with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office to operate the testing facility in the same Student Center location where the county-operated its testing center last year. Instead of a saliva test, the center will employ the LabQ Diagnostics nasal-swab PCR tests.

HQ Health, which is the new LabQ brand name for the company’s suite of comprehensive and complete healthcare services, opened a new, 100,000 square foot center in Mount Olive last May. Among other operations, the center will manage four other national data centers for LabQ and employ more than 1,000 people locally.

Because of the massive demand on testing throughout the nation, people looking to be tested are being advised that receiving results may take considerably longer than the usually advertised timetable of 24 hours to 48 hours.

People who schedule a test will not be charged for the service but will be asked to provide information about whether they have health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or no healthcare coverage. Individuals with symptoms or who have a known exposure to COVID-19 should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for isolation or quarantine until they receive their test results.

Please monitor the COVID-19 information page on the Morris County website to learn of any changes in the testing schedule at CCM or updates on other testing programs and the pandemic.

“We’ve met the pandemic head-on since it began. Last year we set up the most successful vaccination center in the state at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, as well as a testing center. With this recent rise in cases, we are launching the testing center again with the same vigor and level of tenacity as before,” said Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo, a liaison to the county Department of Law & Public Safety.

“The County College of Morris is always ready to support the county in any way, and we are willing and proud to assist with this endeavor,” said CCM President Anthony J. Iacono.

Directions and Precautions
Parking at CCM for people with appointments will be reserved in Lot 6, where individuals using public transportation to and from CCM also may board or disembark from a bus.  To find directions to CCM and learn more about public transportation options to and from the campus, please go to the CCM website.

Everyone arriving at the campus is required to wear a protective face covering or mask from the time of arrival in the parking lot to the moment of departure.

MORRIS COUNTY  — Governor Murphy announced that the New Jersey National Guard will be deploying to long-term care facilities throughout New Jersey to assist with COVID-19 response efforts and to augment facilities’ staffing. This is an extension of Joint Task Force COVID Guardian, which has provided coordinated assistance to numerous long-term care facilities since the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Time and time again, the New Jersey National Guard has stepped up to the plate throughout this pandemic,” said Governor Murphy. “This deployment will send members of our National Guard to long-term care facilities with staffing needs and will act to protect the health and safety of long-term-care residents while the Omicron variant surges throughout the nation.

“COVID-19 is still a threat to our New Jersey communities,” said Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brig. Gen. Lisa Hou, D.O.”The Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard are working hard every day to protect public health.”

“We are grateful to the National Guard for their assistance in caring for the residents of those facilities most in need,” said Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “Throughout this pandemic, protecting our most vulnerable residents has been paramount. As we have seen in the community, COVID-19 cases and outbreaks have been rising for several weeks in our long-term care facilities. We continue to work closely with long-term care facilities throughout the state to ensure that they have the staff they need.”

Approximately 150 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard are preparing to support staffing requirements of more than a dozen long-term care facilities around the state. Guard members will assist regular staff with a variety of tasks, including administrative and logistical support. Members are undergoing training and work is anticipated to start at their assigned locations on Monday, January 10.

Tasks that National Guard members will assist with will include:

• Assist residents with getting from bed to chair, walking
• Assistance in dressing and daily hygiene activities
• Meal set-up and feeding
• Routine assistance
• Testing and screening staff, residents, and visitors

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Steven Oroho and Senator Joe Pennacchio have filed requests for public records related to the Murphy administration’s $53 million settlement for veterans’ home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve filed a request for public records related to the $53 million that apparently will be paid by New Jersey taxpayers to settle claims of negligence and incompetence made against the Murphy administration for deaths in State-run veterans’ homes,” said Oroho (R-24), the incoming Republican leader. “The documents we are seeking will help us to understand what went wrong at the start of the coronavirus pandemic so we can develop effective policies that better protect our seniors and veterans. This isn’t about playing ‘gotcha’ with the administration, we’re trying to save lives.”

Days before Christmas, the Murphy administration confirmed it will pay $52.9 million to settle claims with 119 families of veterans home residents whose deaths were attributed to the coronavirus at the start of the pandemic.

Since May of 2020, Senate Republicans have sought to understand how the Murphy administration’s response to the pandemic contributed to unnecessary deaths in New Jersey’s nursing homes and State-run veteran’s homes.

In a continuing attempt to understand the underlying facts as well as the administration’s rationale for settling claims related to veterans home deaths, Oroho and Pennacchio have filed new requests for government records under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) with the Governor’s Office, Department of Health, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Department of Law & Public Safety as follows:

“Please provide a copy of any and all directives, policy statements, or other instructions or guidance, related to COVID-19, provided under the authority of the [named department], or any subdivision thereof, to any administrator, supervisor, or other staff or personnel, including volunteers, of a State-operated veterans nursing home in New Jersey between March 1, 2020, and the date on which this request is received.

“Additionally, please provide a copy of any settlement, mediation, arbitration or other agreement entered into by the State, or subdivision thereof, arising out of a lawsuit concerning the death, due to COVID-19, of a resident of any of the State-operated veterans nursing homes in New Jersey, as well as any government record relied upon to determine the terms of the settlement, mediation, arbitration, or other agreement.”

The Murphy administration denied a prior OPRA request from Senate Republicans seeking documents transmitted by the Department of Law & Public Safety to the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice pursuant to a federal investigation into pandemic-related nursing and veterans home deaths.

Pennacchio said he is hoping this new effort leads to a greater understanding of the impact of Murphy administration policies which forced the admission and prevented the testing of patients by nursing homes and State-run veterans home. Further, he hopes settlement-related documents can answer questions about the role of the New Jersey Department of Health and the State Epidemiologist in developing those policies and provide a clear timeline of discussions.

“At every turn, we’ve been stonewalled by the Murphy administration and denied access to public records that could provide critical insight to lawmakers,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Their repeated denials will not deter us from continuing to seek important pandemic records that can inform our efforts to improve the health, safety, and economic well-being of New Jerseyans. Every OPRA request the Murphy administration denies only strengthens our case for convening a select committee with subpoena power to get the answers that lawmakers, victims, and families deserve.”

Senate Republicans have been calling for the formation of an investigative select committee since May of 2020 and have made multiple efforts to bring a resolution (SR-68) forming the committee up for a vote.

Following news of the $53 million settlement, the Senate Republican caucus sent a letter to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Senate President-Designate Nicholas Scutari repeating calls for the formation of a Senate Select Committee on the Executive Branch’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi is pleased to announce the launch of the Morris County Clerk’s Mobile App; a new and free online service. Continuing to bring innovation and enhancements to the Clerk’s Office has been a hallmark of her tenure and the Morris County Clerk’s Mobile App is the latest installment of Ann’s commitment to both Morris County and the greater area she serves.

“By utilizing modern technology to engage citizens, the free Morris County Clerk’s Mobile App is designed to give residents easy access to all the services offered by the Morris County Clerk’s Office,” said Clerk Grossi. With the 2022 New Year in full swing, the Morris County Clerk’s App is ready to provide the information and services delivered directly into your home right to your fingertips. Need to see current or past election results? Easy, simply hit the “Elections” button. Want to know what they require applying for a passport or need to schedule an appointment? Easy, just hit the “Passports” button. Need forms? Another easy fix just hit the “Forms” button. Other features include access to the free online Property Fraud Alert System, Registry, Social Media, Notary, Latest News, Records Vault, and other services, such as Veteran; Senior, Gold Star Parent ID’s, as well as our “On the Road Programs.”

Morris County Clerk’s Mobile App can be downloaded for Apple devices in the App Store. They can also download the app for Android devices in the Google Play Store. If you have questions about downloading the app, please contact Brian Tone at (973) 829-8201.

MORRIS COUNTY — Rockaway Resident William Schievella has been elected Vice-Chair of Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence (L.E.A.D.), an organization dedicated to educating communities about the dangers of drugs and violence.

“We are thrilled that Bill will be our Vice-Chair,” said Nick DeMauro, CEO of L.E.A.D. “He has been a tremendous Board member and our Directors unanimously elected him Vice-Chair. He will provide excellent leadership for our Board and our organization overall.”

L.E.A.D. is taught in 40 states by over 2800 dedicated police officers, teachers, and prevention specialists, who provide leadership and resources to allow law enforcement agencies to partner with educators, community leaders, and families. As the only proven effective anti-drug, anti-violence curriculum for students K-12, the L.E.A.D. the curriculum is taught over the course of a 10-week program to educate our youth on how they can make smart decisions without the involvement of drugs.

Currently, Bill serves as the Director of the Police Studies Institute at Saint Elizabeth University, where he oversees the implementation of executive development programs for law enforcement as well as community-based law enforcement collaboration. He is a Criminal Justice and Public Service Professor as well as the current President of the New Jersey Italian American Police Society.

In 2017 and 2018, Bill was the Director of Communications and Community Policing for the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. Along with being elected Vice-Chair of L.E.A.D.’s Board of Directors, Bill’s achievements include being named ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ by the New Jersey Columbus Day Parade and ‘Grand Marshal’ of the Morris County Columbus Day Parade.

For more info on L.E.A.D’s Board of Directors click here.

About L.E.A.D.
L.E.A.D. provides the leadership, resources, and management to ensure law enforcement agencies have the means to partner with educators, community leaders, and families. L.E.A.D. succeeds by providing proven and effective programs to deter youth and adults from drug use, drug-related crimes, bullying, and violence. L.E.A.D. is committed to reinforcing the mutual respect, goodwill, and relations between law enforcement and their communities. For more information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany and Kiwanis Club of South Orange Maplewood have teamed up in the distribution of free Winter Children Jackets.

“This has been an annual project, mainly supply jackets to the homeless. This year we decided to supply jackets to area children,” said Gordon Meth.

The jackets are available in assorted sizes and styles. Both Kiwanis Clubs will schedule a day and location to pick up the jackets, and in some cases, our volunteers will be able to deliver them to your home.

To obtain a jacket, please visit kiwanishelps.org and choose the Children Jackets tab, and fill out the form to reserve your jacket. While supplies last.

NJ Kiwanis Lt. Governor Division 9 Frank Cahill said “Kiwanis has been there to help families during hard times, especially during COVID-19. At Kiwanis, we want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. We believe that by helping one child, you help the world.”

“I believe in giving back to my community. That’s why I became a member of Kiwanis. When Kiwanis donated surgical masks to my department, I knew immediately I wanted to join a wonderful organization.” said Dover Police Officer Ilmi Bojkovic.

Kiwanis Clubs in Northern New Jersey have been supplying food to local families since December 2020. To date they have distributed 358,000 pounds, serving almost 9,000 families and over 17,000 children. The food distributed has a retail value of over $600,000.  The next food distribution will be held on Saturday, January 22.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service-minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others.

Working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you help improve a community or give a child a chance to learn experience, dream, and succeed, great things happen!

For additional information contact Frank Cahill at (862) 346-5100. For more information click here.