MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblyman Brian Bergen’s bill helping first-time entrepreneurs gain the capital needed to open medical marijuana dispensaries became law today.

“It’s not a marijuana bill, it’s a business bill,” Bergen (R-Morris) told the Assembly Health Committee in May. “Starting a business is near impossible nowadays. With this law, entrepreneurs are going to get a shot to enter into a fresh new industry and grow the economy.”

The legislation (A5179/S2875) incentivizes investors to cover the start-up costs for dispensary businesses owned by minorities, women, and disabled veterans. The investor, investment fund, or group providing financial or technical assistance is now allowed to hold up to a 35% interest in up to seven medical marijuana businesses. Prior to the law, investors could not simultaneously hold more than one medical marijuana cultivator, manufacturer, or dispensary permit.

Bergen added that the new law was thoughtful enough to put protections in place and ensures investors aren’t predatory by restricting them to only a certain portion of ownership.

Depending on the value of the assistance, medical marijuana businesses have at least five, seven or 10 years to pay back the full amount with interest. The investor can maintain ownership interests after the full value of the assistance is repaid; however, they cannot have a controlling interest in the business. In the event of a default, controlling interest can only be transferred to another certified minority, women’s, or disabled veterans business.

TRENTON — Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S-1654) which requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to provide electronic push notifications for New Jersey E-ZPass customers. The notifications will inform customers who download the New Jersey E-ZPass mobile application of tolls incurred after passing through toll plazas operated by the NJTA or SJTA within 24 hours of the charge posting to the customer’s account.

“E-ZPass customers deserve fast and timely notifications of charges incurred while traveling on our toll roads,” said Governor Murphy. “Much like push notifications for other day-to-day transactions that we all receive, this legislation will promote financial transparency and keep New Jerseyans informed of their commuting costs.”

“The benefit of this new law is to provide timely information to E-Z Pass customers regarding the use of their accounts,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, who serves as Chair of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

Using the E-Z Pass mobile app, a push notification can be provided to customers keeping them informed of each time a toll is charged to their account, providing better security and management.”

Primary sponsors of S-1654 include Senators Linda Greenstein and Nellie Pou, and Assemblymembers Roy Freiman, Daniel Benson, and Britnee Timberlake.

“Up until now, E-ZPass account holders must rely on a monthly statement to confirm that tolls have proceeded correctly,” said Senator Greenstein. “With this new law, customers will have the option to know within 24 hours whether or not the toll was processed. By expanding customers’ options to include electronic notifications, users will be able to more immediately know that a toll was processed correctly, making paying tolls a more seamless process.”

“Under current law, E-ZPass is not required to notify their customers electronically, which can make it difficult to keep track of tolls,” said Senator Pou. “We live in a world where more and more people have become accustomed to seeing immediate billing notification on their electronic devices. This new law will provide that immediate confirmation when passing through a toll plaza, and allow customers to stay up to speed on their toll usage.”

“It is a reasonable expectation that when a consumer is charged with something, they immediately receive a receipt,” said Assemblyman Freiman. “This already happens with all other transactions. Now, under this new law, our electronic toll system will also provide a receipt to help customers better track their E-ZPass use.”

“An E-ZPass customer should know immediately if their account is being charged,” said Assemblyman Benson. “With this new law, customers will be notified or able to check in real-time to prevent an excessive bill at the end of the month.”

“E-ZPass transactions are made instantaneously,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake. “Customers will now be able to keep up with their daily E-ZPass use and clear up any charge disputes sooner rather than later.”

S-1654 will require push notifications to be delivered within 24 hours of the charge posting to the customer’s account, except when accounts are not recognized at the time of the transaction. Push notifications will be available for all toll plazas operated by NJTA or SJTA, meaning those on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway. It will also be available on toll plazas operated by the Cape May County Bridge Commission.

For a copy of the signing statement, please click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Join for Career Carnival for Kids, an interactive, fun-filled, and FREE program where elementary and middle school kids can meet volunteers from companies and organizations across a variety of industries, including Goryeb Children’s Hospital, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), AWWA NJ, Cerbo Lumber, County College of Morris, M&T Bank, Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph, ShopRite, Weis, and more!

Career Carnival for Kids will be held on Sunday, October 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Horseshoe Lake Park, 72 Eyland Avenue, Roxbury.

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring this special event in partnership with the Borough of Roxbury Township and the Roxbury Police Department. In addition, the Sheriff is sending four of the county’s top-notch units – K9, Hope One, COPS, and Law Enforcement Exploring – to educate attendees about the important work they do.

Enjoy games, giveaways, and other goodies, and spark some curiosity about the amazing world of work.  Online registration is encouraged but not required.

Click here for additional information.

MORRIS COUNTY — You may be busy raising your family or serving as a caregiver for relatives and regret not having the time to help improve your community. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany and Sons of Italy #2561 has a solution to that dilemma.

On Thursday, October 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., you can help improve the lives of others and have fun while doing so by attending the Kiwanis annual wine tasting at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover.

This Wine Tasting is the Kiwanis Club’s largest fundraising event with the goal of supporting programs that benefit children and youth.

The local programs funded by the Kiwanis Club include sponsored youth programs in the Parsippany-Troy Hills school district, such as Key Clubs in both high schools, Builders Clubs in the middle schools, and K-Kids Clubs in all of the elementary schools; Parsippany Day Care Center; Parsippany Library; the Stickley Farms family fun day and numerous other 501(c)3 organizations that serve children and families. In addition to this financial support of children’s leadership development and service initiatives, the club meets the basic needs of the less fortunate families in our community by providing food and food cards, toiletry items, and blankets through a partnership with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Community Center. The Club also supports state and national organizations that serve the needs of children and their families.

Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 was founded as a non-profit organization, which contributes thousands of dollars to worthwhile local charities and families. The lodge is proud to be able to serve a small portion of needs to our local communities. Donations include, but are not limited to, The Parsippany Food Pantry, High School Scholarships, Gift cards to families in need, The Valerie Fund, Alzheimer’s, and many others.

Joe Canal is a major sponsor of the wine tasting event. The event includes silent and live auctions; a delicious hot and cold buffet; wines and liquors; and an opportunity to help raise money and do good for others.

In addition, Kane Brewing Company specializing in brewing American and Belgian-style ales will be sampling their products at the event.

Tickets are only $65 each. Kiwanis is a 501(C)3 organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

If you would like to purchase tickets, click here, or call Frank Cahill (862) 213-2200.

For more information on The Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 visit www.soi2561.org. For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic) has submitted legislation in Trenton that would stabilize water and sewage fees for senior citizens and the disabled.

The bill would amend current law to allow any county and municipal sewerage authorities, as well as water purveyors, to reduce or stabilize fees to users of the water or sewerage systems 65 years or older.

DeCroce said the bill help offset increasing property taxes in New Jersey.

“There are so many ways that the state and local governments reach into the pockets of homeowners and renters in New Jersey besides property taxes,” said DeCroce. “All those added taxes and fees add up and make New Jersey unaffordable for many, especially for retired people. The state legislature must begin addressing the hidden taxes and fees that no one talks about.”

DeCroce said stabilizing sewer and water fees would protect seniors and the disabled from escalating fees that she predicts will go demonstrably higher in coming years. “The history of New Jersey is steadily increasing user fees; rarely do we see fees going down,” added DeCroce.

The assemblywoman noted that with Congress poised to pass a $1.5 billion infrastructure package – sewer and water utilities will begin undertaking needed improvements to their systems. She said she fears that the costs not covered by federal funds will be passed on to ratepayers.

“The state cannot burden senior citizens living on fixed incomes with higher fees for essential services,” added DeCroce.

MORRIS COUNTY — It was a beautiful fall night at the River River Barn to celebrate Columbus Day and the candidacy for the re-election of Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw, Deputy Director Deborah Smith, and Commissioner John Krickus.

The attendees included a guest list of Morris Counties Powerful Elected Officials and local voters showing their support for the candidates.

Deborah Smith joined the board on January 3, 2016, and she is now serving her second, three-year term. She served as Director last year and was elected by her peers on January 4, 2021, to lead the board as Commissioner Deputy Director for a new year.

She also is chair of the County Budget Committee and is a voting member of the Insurance Fund Commission, and is the liaison to the County Administration and Finance departments.

Previously, Commissioner Smith served on the Denville Council for 20 years, with two years as Council President and two years as the Council’s Planning Board Member. She also served on the Denville Zoning Board prior to her Council tenure.

Commissioner Smith has long served her community, volunteering for many community activities. She was the Township Council’s liaison to the Denville Public Library, senior citizens’ organizations, the local historical society, fire department, and many other groups.

While serving on the Denville Council she cast the key vote that prevented potential development and led to the eventual acquisition and preservation of 420 pristine acres of former Jersey City watershed land, a site now named Jonathan Woods.

A graduate of Long Island University in Brooklyn, N.Y. with a BS in Mathematics and a Masters in Counseling, she received a Certified Financial Planning degree from Adelphi University, completed a Certificate in Municipal Government from Rutgers, and participated in the CTW Excellence in Public Service Series.

Commissioner Smith had careers in market and media research with AC Nielsen and Simmons Market Research Bureau, worked in financial markets as a stockbroker and commodity broker, and was an advertising director for a New Jersey rehabilitation magazine, before starting a 25-year-career with Dun & Bradstreet as a Key Accounts Manager. In November 2014, Commissioner Smith retired from D&B.

Commissioner Smith resides in Denville with her husband Steven, a small business owner in Randolph.

Stephen H. Shaw is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and has lived in Morris County for more than five decades. He is serving his first term on the board and was elected by his peers on January 4, 2021, to be Commissioner Director for 2021.

He also chairs the county’s Capital Budget and Facilities Review Committee and the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, which has been key to Morris County retaining its AAA financial rating throughout the pandemic. He is a voting member of the County College of Morris and Morris County School of Technology Boards of School Estimate, as well as liaison to the County Public Works.

Commissioner Shaw moved back to his hometown of Mountain Lakes 22 years ago and became active in public service, was elected to the borough council for 12 years, and was selected by his peers as mayor for three of those years.

He was a member of the Mountain Lakes Planning Board for seven years and was named “Mountain Lakes Police Citizen of the Year” in 2012. He also served his community as a leader of the Vestry of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Lakes.

Commissioner Shaw was a member and Vice-Chair of the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Committee, assisting in the preservation of the Giralda Farms Preserve at Loantaka Brook Reservation in Chatham Township with a $10 million Morris County Open Space grant.

Professionally, Commissioner Shaw owns and operates a small family contracting business and has been president of his local and state builder’s trade association.

He is a graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology; Newark College of Engineering, with a BS in Civil Engineering; and in 2006 was named their “Outstanding Alumnus.” In addition, he is a licensed New Jersey real estate agent, a licensed private pilot, is married, and has two adult children and one grandchild.

John has served six years on the Morris County Board of Commissioners, during which time he did not vote for a tax increase and served on the budget committee which created the first 0 tax increase budgets in twenty years.

While holding the line on taxes other accomplishments include eliminating health benefits for Commissioners, doubling the miles of county roads repaved each year, providing the first increase in county aid to the County College of Morris, and sponsoring a change in the open space program which allowed for existing funding to go for trail development.

Prior to his term as Commissioner, John served as a committeeman in Washington Township, three of those years as Mayor. Key accomplishments include the third lowest municipal tax burden in the county and preservation of over 4,000 acres of farmland and open space.

John was born and raised in Madison, is a Marine Corps veteran, received a BA in economics from Drew University and an MBA from Lehigh University, and is a CPA. John has over 30 years of business experience as a product manager.

John and his wife Carolyn reside in Long Valley with their two daughters Kelly and Casey. Carolyn, Kelly, and Casey all are volunteer EMTs, and Carolyn currently serves as a captain for the Long Valley First Aid squad.