MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill (A1924), sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, to help veterans in New Jersey obtain employment in the insurance industry.

The legislation waives the initial insurance producer-licensing fee for honorably discharged veterans who are New Jersey residents, have passed the licensing exam and met any other requirements for licensure. A producer is a person licensed to sell, solicit or negotiate insurance.

“Veterans bring a unique background and skillset to the insurance industry, but may lack the ability to pay the licensing fee if they are unemployed,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Removing a fee is the least we can do to give our veterans transitioning to civilian life a path to gainful employment.”

Under the law, the Department of Banking and Insurance is authorized to waive the initial $190 licensing fee. The department is currently permitted to waive fees for disabled war veterans.

Affected veterans include those who served in any branch of the active or reserve military or National Guard. The law takes effect immediately.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Saturday, February 1, parents are invited to bring their child to make a Pinewood Derby Car.

The Pinewood Derby is a highlight of the Cub Scout year.  If your son or daughter is not yet in a Cub Scout pack, you can come build your car with guidance from experts.  The workshop, dubbed the 2020 Pinewood Derby Champ Camp, will be held at the Scout Shop, One Saddle Road in Cedar Knolls, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost of car kit is $5.00.

You will also receive information on the Cub Scout pack nearest your home.

Cub Scouts is for boys and girls in grades K-5.

For information, contact the Cedar Knolls Scout Shop, (973) 765-9322 ext. 233, 358scoutshoporderscedarknolls@scouting.org

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office attended the 35th Annual Morris Interfaith Breakfast on January 20 at the Hyatt Hotel in Morristown. The event marked the 91st birthday of Rev. Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.

The breakfast was held in advance of the 50th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Observance Committee at the Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown. The Committee was formed to educate, inspire and motivate people of all races, religions, ethnicities, social and economic classes, political affiliations, ages and genders to embrace the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prosecutor Knapp was joined by First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Zelante, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Assistant Prosecutor Julian Hill, Captain Harrison Dillard, Detective Supervisor Spence Osaigbovo, Detective Supervisor Patrick LaGuerre and Detective Corinne Mason.

Prosecutor Knapp said “The Morris Interfaith Breakfast is a wonderful event which we have attended for many years. It gives community stakeholders an opportunity to meet with each other and honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. As Dr. King said ‘people fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.’”

The breakfast featured keynote speakers Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and Perri Easley, recipient of a college scholarship from the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund for Local Scholars.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders appointed Parsippany resident Casey (Kaushik) Parikh to the Morris County Planning Board.

The Duties and Powers of County Planning Boards are:

• Adopt a master plan showing the county planning board’s recommendations for the development of the county.
• Advise the Board of Chosen Freeholders in adopting and establishing an official county map, showing the highways, roadways, parks, parkways, and sites for public buildings or works, under county jurisdiction, or in the acquisition, financing or construction of which the county has participated or may be called upon to participate.
• Review of all subdivisions of land within the county and for the approval of those subdivisions affecting county road or drainage facilities.
• Review of site plans for land development along county roads or affecting county drainage facilities and for the approval of such development.

Casey was recently appointed to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment by the Township Council on Tuesday, November 12.

Casey has over thirty years of experience in the field of computers communication and management; Demonstrated abilities in Public Relations, Community Service and Negotiations and he is founding member of Parsippany Indian Association.

He received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Florida Institute Of Tech., Melbourne, FL; Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) – Florida Institute of Tech., Melbourne, FL and Bachelor of Engineering (BSEE) – University of Bombay, Bombay, India.

Casey was employed at ADT / Tyco Security Services from June 1982 to July 2013.
At Tyco he was responsible for design and development of computer communication software, training users, supporting field offices, interviewing prospective employees and management of technical staff.  Responsible for interacting with the vendors. Responsibilities also included evaluating and recommending hardware and software for making buying decisions.

He is a member of the Morris County Open Space Committee; Current Treasurer at Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany; Past president of Forge Pond Homeowners Association.

Casey also was the Chairman of Parsippany Troy-Hills Planning Board from 1993 to 2017. He volunteers as an interpreter for the Parsippany Police Department.

Casey is married and the proud parent of two children. He has been a resident of Parsippany-Troy Hills for over thirty years.

Other members of the board include Douglas R. Cabana, Freeholder; Christine Myers, Freeholder; Deborah Smith, Freeholder Alternate; Christopher Vitz, P.E., County Engineer; Roslyn Khurdan, P.E., Assistant County Engineer, Alternate; Ted Eppel; Isobel Olcott; Annabel Pierce; Steve Rattner; Everton Scott; Stephen Jones, Nita Galate, Alternate #1 and Christian Francioli, Alternate #2.

All Planning Board meetings are held at 30 Schuyler Place, Morristown, 2nd Floor, Schuyler Conference room at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on February 20, 2020.