FLORHAM PARK — Supporters gather for an evening to raise awareness and funds for young people who have aged-out of foster care in New Jersey, which currently impacts 600-800 youths annually. Sadly, many of these young adults are not reunited with their families or placed into permanent housing, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness, poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and incarceration.
This year’s event is proud to honor Paul Heroux, an avid volunteer and supporter of Roots & Wings. The evening will also feature inspirational stories from the young people the agency serves, exciting auction prizes, and opportunities to make a significant impact on their mission.
The event will be held on Wednesday, September 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and the Park Savoy, 263 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park.
The mission of Roots & Wings, a Denville-based non-profit organization, is to provide safe housing, emotional support, life skills, and educational opportunities for youth aging out of foster care; empowering them to rise toward their greatest potential.
Roots & Wings is funded almost entirely by individual donors. The Rise & Fly Gala is the largest fundraising event of the year. This funding allows them to continue to change the course of the lives of aged-out foster youth in New Jersey.
WHO: Youth speakers will share their inspirational stories and Paul Heroux will be honored for his unwavering support of the Roots & Wings mission.
Founded in 1999 by Irene DeGrandpre, a CASA volunteer and NJ hero honoree, R&W began as a community-based volunteer operation. Intending to provide an intensive, life-changing program focused on the empowerment of education and the development of critically necessary life skills, R&W volunteers established a residential program to support these young people as they transition from foster care to independence. Today, we have housing in Morris and Union counties and accept young adults from all over the state.
Through housing and case management, we provide a safety net, protecting our clients from the risks foster youth face, when left without support and guidance. This greatly reduces their risk of lifetime poverty and hardship. Clients leave R&W having broken the cycle of poverty, abuse, and despair that research shows often continues generation after generation absent intensive outside intervention. All this, because a volunteer in her community, decided to change the world, one young adult at a time.
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.
