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Morristown Man Faces Several Sexual Assault Charges Involving Four Different Victims

By
Frank Cahill
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File Photo. Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker, Morris Township Police Chief Mark DiCarlo, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson announce charges have been filed against Ruben Gonzalez, 19, of Morristown, in connection with alleged serial sexual assaults that occurred between December 2020 and November 2021.

Subsequent investigation revealed four different victims whose ages range from 14 to 18.

The sexual assaults occurred in Morris Township and Morristown. Upon arrest and following the issuance of a search warrant, a subsequent analysis of the defendant’s cell phone identified several videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.

Following investigations of these incidents, Gonzalez has been charged with:

  • One first-degree count of Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Physically Helpless Victim
  • Eight second-degree counts of Sexual Assault
  • Three third-degree counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child
  • Seven fourth-degree counts of Criminal Sexual Contact
  • One third-degree count of Possession of Child Pornography

Gonzalez is currently in the custody of the Morris County Correctional Facility following a detention hearing, pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act.

Anyone with information relating to this case or any related incident is asked to call Detective Melissa Enslen of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6307 or Detective Scott Weaver of the Morristown Police Department 973-292-6656.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of 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.

Murphy Signs Important Telehealth Legislation 

By
Frank Cahill
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Governor Phil Murphy
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Murphy signed legislation (S-2559) that extends for the next two years the requirement adopted at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic that health benefits plans reimburse health care providers for telehealth and telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services, with limited exceptions. At the same time, the legislation charges the Department of Health with conducting an in-depth study of the utilization of telehealth and telemedicine and its effects on patient outcomes, quality and satisfaction, and access to care in order to inform future decisions on payment structure for these services.  This legislation will provide critical support to patients and providers while the State continues to address the challenges posed by the pandemic, and while the Department of Health evaluates how to best leverage payment and telemedicine to improve access to affordable care and maintain the highest quality of care possible.
“Telehealth and telemedicine services have been critical during the COVID-19 pandemic and will stay with us long after the pandemic is over,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jerseyans have greater access to the health care they need with the proliferation and expansion of these services, and with this legislation, we are ensuring that this new technology can remain viable as we emerge from the pandemic while also ensuring that New Jersey remains at the forefront of innovative health care policy that serves all New Jerseyans.”
“Throughout this pandemic, telemedicine has been a lifeline to vital health care services for many—especially those in underserved communities,”  said Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.  “The Department will thoroughly assess the impact of pay parity in telehealth and telemedicine services and make thoughtful recommendations for the future.”
“In response to the pandemic, the state put in place measures to increase access to telehealth to ensure patients could visit a doctor or other medical provider remotely to receive care,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride. “Telehealth remains a vital access point for health care, and this law continues to provide that access to residents while creating a process for the state to assess how the policy is working and to allow for any needed changes. This is a meaningful change that will assist residents in getting the health care they need, with the flexibility to visit a health care provider remotely from their own homes.”

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Swears in New Assistant Prosecutor

By
Frank Cahill
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First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Assistant Robert Gross

MORRIS COUNTY —  Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood announce the hiring of Robert J. Gross, Jr. as Assistant Prosecutor for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Assistant Prosecutor Gross was officially sworn in by First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on December 20. Assistant Prosecutor Gross will be assigned to the Specialized Services Unit.

Assistant Prosecutor Gross began his legal career as a law clerk in 2019 for Judge Peter F. Bariso, Jr. at the Superior Court of New Jersey, 6th Vicinage in Jersey City. He served as an assistant prosecutor at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Juvenile Unit from 2020 until starting with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. He has held internships and externships with the Exxon Mobil Corporation, Centre County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Justice-Appellate Bureau, and the New York County District Attorney’s Office-Investigations Division-Rackets Bureau.

He also volunteered with the Penn State Law Veteran’s Clinic. Assistant Prosecutor Gross holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University, paralegal certification from Georgetown University, and a Juris Doctorate from Penn State Law. Prosecutor Carroll said, “I believe Assistant Prosecutor Gross will make a fine addition to our prosecutorial team.”

Russo, Onyx Plan 827K-square-foot Industrial Facility in East Hanover

By
Frank Cahill
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In one of the largest new industrial projects in Morris County Russo Development and Onyx Equities have purchased 62 acres at Route 10 and Ridgedale Avenue in East Hanover, from Novartis.

EAST HANOVER — Russo Development and Onyx Equities are planning to bring big changes to a portion of Novartis’s 202-acre U.S. headquarters on Route 10 and Ridgedale Avenue.

On December 13, the partners announced purchasing 62 acres from the pharmaceutical company at Route 10 and Ridgedale Avenue. There, they’ll eliminate 900,000 square feet of vacant office space to build up 826,800 square feet of industrial space.

The site is currently a part of the Novartis 202-acre U.S. headquarters campus.

“We are excited to redevelop a portion of one of northern New Jersey’s premier sites into a first-class industrial project,” said Russo Development CEO Edward Russo. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with East Hanover Township and Novartis as the company transforms its East Hanover campus to a more flexible and collaborative workplace design.”

“Morris County is a jewel for commercial uses of all types because of its extensive highway system and pool of highly qualified, skilled labor,” said John Saraceno, Jr., managing principal for Onyx Equities.

 

Tayfun Selen Selected to Serve as Morris County Commission Director

By
Frank Cahill
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Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Republican Chairwoman Laura Marie Ali applauded the Board of Commissioners for its selection of Tayfun Selen (Chatham Township) as Commission Director and John Krickus (Washington Township) as Deputy Director to lead the County in 2022.

“Tayfun Selen and John Krickus will be a dynamic, fiscally conservative leadership team for Morris County government over the next 12 months and will continue to hold the line on taxes, invest in infrastructure, and lead our county’s recovery from the pandemic. They represent the very best of our party,” said Chairwoman Ali. “Tayfun, in particular, has been a part of three straight budgets that avoided property tax increases at the local and county levels.”

Ali said that the 2022 leadership team was unanimously supported at the annual caucus, and Morris County Republican leadership has been integral in making Morris the state’s number one County and the best place to live in all of New Jersey. Last June, major financial rating agencies including Moody’s and S&P Global again awarded their highest-possible “AAA” rating to Morris County, continuing a legacy as one of the best financially-run counties in America. 

Tayfun Selen is a proven fiscal conservative, experienced businessman, and American success story. Selen immigrated from Turkey with a degree in architecture in 1996, pumping gas and working entry-level jobs before earning an MBA and his CPA license. He earned his U.S. citizenship in 2008 and managed major corporate real estate operations leading over 100 employees and several hundred million dollar budgets. Today, he is an executive with a major national vocational school group.

Selen previously served as Chatham Township Mayor, and later filled a vacancy on the Morris County Commission and earned a full-term in 2020.

Tayfun is married with one daughter and has lived in Morris County for the past 23 years, including 19 years in the Chathams.

John Krickus will be starting his third three-year term on the board. He is a member of the Budget Committee producing three straight years of no county tax increase and the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee that has been key to maintaining the County’s AAA finance rating during the pandemic. He also is the liaison to the Morris County Improvement Authority, the County College of Morris and Morris County School of Technology, and the Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development.

Commissioner Krickus served as a Marine Corps veteran and a graduate of Drew University with a BA in Economics and Political Science. He received his MBA from Lehigh University and was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New Jersey.

Previously, he served on the Washington Township Committee for 12 years, including three years as Mayor. Born and raised in Madison, he now lives in Long Valley with his wife Carolyn.

Morris County Commissioners Present 2022 Capital Spending Plan

By
Frank Cahill
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Commissioner Stephen Shaw

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners unveiled a $67,242,800 million capital spending plan that expands educational programs at the Morris County School of Technology, while aggressively investing in improvements to county roads, intersections, bridges, and culverts.

The board’s Capital Budget Committee, which includes Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo, and Commissioner Tayfun Selen, outlined the plan during a work session, additionally pointing to funds earmarked for public safety, public health, parks, and improving information technology.

“This capital plan contains $14 million to resurface 25.6 miles of roads in 15 towns, $2.8 million to improve key intersections and dedicates nearly $7 million so that Morris County will continue to lead the state with its bridge and culvert upgrades,” said Commissioner Director Shaw.

“This plan also makes good on the commitment our board made this past summer for a 30 percent expansion of the Morris County Vocational School with a new Career Technical Education Center, as well as an investment in the continuing expansions and improvements at the County College of Morris,” Shaw added.

The 2022 Capital Spending Highlights Include: 

Improving our County Road Network

  • $2.8 in Intersection Upgrades, including:
  • Flanders Netcong Road and Main Street Intersection with Route 206, Mount Olive
  • Boonton Avenue at Taylortown Road, Montville Township
  • Guide Rail Upgrades and Installations throughout the County
  • $14.0 million for roadway resurfacing, including:
  • 2.2 miles of Fairmount Road in Washington Township
  • 2.2 miles of Green Pond Road in Rockaway and Jefferson Townships
  • 2.5 miles of Park Avenue from Columbia Turnpike to Route 124 in Madison, Florham Park, and Morris Township
  • 2.5 miles of Village Road in Harding Township
  • $6.83 million for bridge and culverts projects, including:
  • Dickson’s Mill Road Bridge in Harding Township
  • Pleasant Hill Road Bridge in Mount Olive

Commitment to Education:

  • $25.3 million for the School of Technology’s construction of its new Career Technical Education Center at the County College of Morris and Science Lab upgrades with $18.8 million coming from a State Grant
  • $5.2 million at the County College for facility accessibility upgrades and Academic Complex roof replacementHurd Street Bridge in Mine Hill Township 

Other 2021 Capital Spending Highlights Include:

  • $1.9 million for Information Technology Upgrades and Improvements
  • $1.7 million for the Morris County Park System
  • $4.1 million for 451 new voting machines to comply with new voting laws
  • $1 million for Public Safety Enhancements
  • $550,000 for County Owned Railroad Upgrades
  • $366,000 for Health Management and Mosquito Control

The slide show presented by the Capital Budget Committee may be viewed by clicking here.

The $67.2 million plan reflects a commitment of $36,875,294 million by the county, which will be offset by an anticipated $30,367,506 million in grants.

Morris County government has a massive and diverse inventory of responsibilities, ranging from the Morris County Administration Building in Morristown to Human Services and Law & Public Safety complexes in Morris Township and Parsippany.  The infrastructure includes:

  • 287 miles of county roads in all 39 Morris County municipalities
  • 1,000 bridges and culverts throughout all Morris County municipalities
  • 3 Freight Railroads
  • 1,185 vehicles and or pieces of equipment used by various county agencies
  • 3.3 million square feet of buildings and structures

The County of Morris also is responsible for:

  • Maintaining all trees within county road rights-of-way
  • Facilities required by the Judiciary, Sheriff, Law and Public Safety
  • Mosquito Control services throughout all Morris County
  • 20,197 acres of Parkland

Melissa Florance-Lynch Announces Candidacy for Morris County Commissioner

By
Frank Cahill
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Melissa Florance-Lynch

MORRIS COUNTY — Melissa Florance-Lynch announced her candidacy for Morris County Commissioner as she will join the ticket with Commissioners Doug Cabana and Tom Mastrangelo.

“I am very excited to both announce my candidacy for Morris County Commissioner and to join the ticket with Commissioners Doug Cabana and Tom Mastrangelo. As a lifelong resident of Pequannock Township and as someone who has taken a very active role in our community, I know there is a lot of work that needs to be done to continue to maintain the high quality of living that Morris County residents have come to expect and enjoy. My promise to Morris County is to continue to fight to keep taxes low, improve our parks, preserve open space, and support our law enforcement community to keep our communities safe. I look forward to speaking with the voters of Morris County to earn your vote to serve as the next Morris County Commissioner,” said Florance-Lynch. Florance-Lynch brings significant experience to the Mastrangelo, Cabana, Florance-Lynch ticket as she has:

• Served 11 years on Pequannock Town Council and two years as Mayor
• Is a successful Broker Associate / Sales Manager of Local Real Estate Firm
• Serves on Multiple Township Committees and Boards as Council Liaison
• A Member of Pequannock Valley Rotary, Pequannock Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Woman’s Club of Pompton Plains

“Morris County is very fortunate to have someone that is of the caliber of Melissa Florance-Lynch seeking the opportunity to serve on the Morris County Board of Commissioners. She has been successful in stabilizing municipal taxes, making improvements to parks, has been instrumental with flood mitigation projects such as FEMA house elevations, and working to significantly advance critical water and sewer projects in Pequannock. Melissa’s love of public service is infectious, and we are very excited to both welcome and work with Melissa as our running mate as we begin our campaign for the Morris County Board of Commissioners,” stated Cabana and Mastrangelo.

DeFillippo Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election After Her Term Expires

By
Frank Cahill
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Douglas Cabana, Kathy DeFillippo and Thomas Mastrangelo

MORRIS COUNTY — Commissioner Kathy DeFillippo, who has served on the Morris County Board of Commissioners since 2014, announced she will not seek re-election alongside her long-time running mates Doug Cabana and Tom Mastrangelo.

“After talking to Doug, Tom, and my family, I have decided to step back from elected office and to devote myself to my growing family and my other personal priorities,” DeFillippo explained. “It was not an easy decision. Serving the people of Morris County on the Board of Commissioners has been a great honor. I know I am leaving the Board in good hands with the exceptional leadership of the current Commissioners, including my running mates Doug Cabana and Tom Mastrangelo, who continue to have my support and warm regard. “I am most proud of leaving a legacy of strengthening the County’s Human Services, especially for seniors, veterans, and women and children in need,” DeFillippo said.

“At the same time, we were also successful in keeping taxes low, preserving open space, and ensuring Morris County remains an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family.” During her eight years on the County Commission, DeFillippo served as its Director for two years, in 2015 and 2016. She also serves as Chair of the Board of North Jersey Transportation Authority (NJTPA), where she has been a Board Member since 2014, representing Morris County. DeFillippo has also served on the Council and as Mayor of the Township of Roxbury.

“Kathy will be sorely missed. Both as a good friend and as a colleague on the Board. Her leadership, experience, and vision cannot be overstated. Kathy is the gold standard for public service. We thank Kathy for her service and wish her nothing but the very best now and into the future,” stated Commissioners Doug Cabana and Tom Mastrangelo.

Morris County Honors the Zeris Family and Businesses

By
Frank Cahill
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Councilman Menard, Chris Zeris, Councilman Happer, Councilwoman Lane and Andy Zeris

MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners joined Mountain Lakes Borough and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon in honoring the Zeris Family and their namesake, the Zeris Inn Banquet Hall, which had been a fixture in Morris County for well over four decades.

Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw presented a resolution to brothers Christopher and Andy Zeris at an event held Thursday, December 15, at the Mountain Lakes Club and organized by Mountain Lakes Police Chief Shawn Bennett and Robert Tovo, the former Mountain Lakes Police Chief and Borough Manager. Commissioner Douglas Cabana also attended to honor the family.

Former Sheriff Edward Rochford, Chris Zeris, Commissioner Director Shaw, Andy Zeris, Sheriff Gannon and Commissioner Cabana

The Zeris Inn opened on Route 46 in Mount Lakes in 1973 and, by 1997, the family also opened Chrisandis Restaurant on the same site, naming it after Chris and Andy Zeris. By the time the businesses recently closed, the Zeris Family had hosted more than 6,000 weddings along with countless fundraisers and charity events.

They cemented themselves and their business as a staple in the social fabric and family lives of many residents of Morris County.

Multiple Mountain Lakes officials joined the event, including Borough Council Members Tom Menard, Audrey Lane, and Dan Happer.  A dozen Zeris Family members also joined the festivities.

The Zeris Family saga in New Jersey began after WWII, when Steve Zeris immigrated to the United States and worked in the hospitality industry, eventually saving up the capital to open his own business, The Parthenon Diner in Parsippany, in the early 1950s. It was in the 1960s that his four sons – Peter, George, Andy, and Chris – followed him to the United States, where they worked at Cutter Bar and Restaurant in Morristown for a number of years.

By 1966, the Zeris Family purchased the Hamburger Inn at the Florham Park Bowling Alley, a business that was so successful it allowed the family to additionally purchase the Hamilton Luncheonette in Morristown. In 1972, the family sold both lucrative establishments to open the Zeris Inn Banquet Hall in September 1973.

Mountain Lakes High School for #TeamSeas

By
Frank Cahill
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MOUNTAIN LAKES — Help raise money on behalf of Mountain Lakes High School’s Environmental Club to support #TeamSeas in removing 30 million pounds of trash from the ocean before 2022! Any contribution helps—one dollar removes one pound of waste. Please join us in this cause to end the year on an environmentally friendly high note!
All funds raised will be withdrawn to a private bank account of a resident of Mountain Lakes, and the money will be transferred to Mountain Lakes High School to make its way to #TeamSeas in MLHS’s name.

Click here to donate.

Please reference the video and website by clicking here.

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