MORRIS COUNTY — In recognition of New Jersey’s essential employees who have provided necessary services during the worst public health crisis in modern history, the Assembly approved Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s resolution designating March 9 as Covid-19 Heroes Day.

“We couldn’t have survived this past year if it weren’t for the selflessness of health care workers, postal employees, first responders, bus drivers, grocery store clerks, and so many more essential employees,” said Dunn (R-Morris). “They risked their own lives and safety to ensure that all New Jersey residents had their needs met during the Covid-19 pandemic. This day will give us all a moment to pause and reflect on what ‘essential’ really means and thank these heroes who put the needs of others above their own during this time in our state’s history.”

March 9 is the day Gov. Phil Murphy first declared a state of emergency in response to the public health crisis caused by the coronavirus. In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, businesses shut down and people abided by stay-at-home orders, while essential employees were called upon to keep the citizens of New Jersey safe and healthy. 

“Frontline workers helped us navigate these uncertain times while making sure our children were cared for, our loved ones received medical care, our prescriptions were filled, our pantries were full and we had someone to call in the event of an emergency,” said Dunn. “We owe them a debt of gratitude. This day will help us all remember the courage of our fellow New Jerseyans.”

The joint resolution between the Assembly and Senate (AJR166/SJR82) passed both houses unanimously. 

MORRIS COUNTY  — Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar representatives present a check for $12,075.31 to David Fox, sergeant, United States Marine Corps Reserve, and Nick D’Andrea, chief warrant officer 4, Toys for Tots Coordinator, on Wednesday, February 24.

The funds were raised during Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar’s 22nd annual fundraising campaign in support of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, which distributes new toys to as many underprivileged children as possible to provide a tangible sign of hope during the Christmas season.

This year, Applebee’s also introduced its own “Tots for Tots” program, offering guests an additional way to donate by adding tater tots to any order for just $3, with each sale going directly to the organization. Since its inception, Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises have raised $4.9 million through its Toys for Tots fundraising campaign to benefit local communities in Florida, Georgia, Long Island, and New Jersey. In just 2020 alone, Toys for Tots distributed 20.2 million toys to 7.4 million children.

MORRIS COUNTY — Chatham Troop 8 has a long storied history in the community, and it has been offering great youth programs for more than a century. It was founded in 1916, only six years after the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The BSA’s stated mission is to “prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” The leadership at Troop 8 has instilled that same drive in our Scouts, with a focus on community service and charitable giving through service projects by our Scouts across the community. Troop 8 Scouts also participate in a number of high adventure trips, like our upcoming Sea Base Bahamas in April 2021.

The Scouting Method instills responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and programs in partnership with community organizations. Of the outdoor activities, the BSA has four high-adventure bases: Northern Tier (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario), Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico), Sea Base (Florida, US Virgin Islands, and Bahamas), and Summit Bechtel Reserve (West Virginia), as well as nearly 100 separate camps and reservations specifically dedicated to Scouts.  All Scouts participating in high adventure must achieve the rank of First Class, and be at least 13 years old.

Our April Sea Base Adventure is a 5-day live-aboard SCUBA diving trip sailing around the Bahamas Islands. Our Troop 8 crew includes 12 Scouts and 9 adult leaders, and the Scouts have been doing fundraisers and service projects as a team, since planning this adventure back in the Fall of 2019. Many of the Scouts and adult leaders also needed to earn their PADI Open Diver certification, and the training was completed by Capt. Mike’s Diving on City Island NY. During the weekend of our open water training dives, Troop 8 Scouts cleaned the City Island beach we were diving from on September 26 and 27. We also planned to participate in another community service project on City Island in October 2020, counting shellfish beds, but a COVID outbreak among the City Island divers prevented our inclusion.

COVID has caused the Scouts to pivot from more common service projects and fundraisers, due to social distancing requirements. Our Scouts sold luminaries during the holidays, and they had a Car Wash fundraiser in the Fall that worked well with social distancing. One of the dads suggested having a Shred-It event as a great social distancing option. Our first one on January 30 was such a success, that we decided to have another on March 13, less than three weeks before we depart for the Bahamas on April 2, 2021. With some of the funds raised during these programs, we plan to assist the 13th Bahamas Scout Group in Nassau with donations of money, equipment and also hope to complete a service project in Nassau during our visit.

As our high adventure trip draws closer, the Scouts are becoming more thrilled every day.  They have been working very hard to meet rank requirements, achieve fundraising goals, and we are very proud of this group of Scouts. Chatham Troop 8 Scouts and Leaders exemplify community service, and we hope to bring that same level of commitment to the people of the Bahamas. With our final Shred-It Fundraiser Event on March 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ogden Church, 286 Main Street, Chatham. We hope to have a great finish on this journey. Please help support our outstanding crew of Troop 8 Scouts on their high adventure trip, and help the Scouts bring that community service ethos to the people of the Bahamas. The leaders at Troop 8 strive to instill that mindset into our Scouts every day, and our goal is to always leave a positive mark on the people and places we visit.

MORRIS COUNTY — By a unanimous vote, the Assembly passed legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, to allow municipalities with a population under 5,000 to hire nonresident emergency management coordinators.

“Some small towns may not be able to fill the role with a qualified candidate from within their municipal borders,’ said Dunn, who represents seven towns with fewer than 5,000 residents in the 25th Legislative District, which includes 21 towns in Morris and Somerset counties.

“The person must have the experience and knowledge to protect the safety, health, and resources of the residents and town,” continued Dunn. “They need to understand all the applicable laws, work well with emergency responders and effectively respond to disasters. It’s a tall order.”

Under current New Jersey law, municipal emergency management coordinators must be municipal residents unless the municipality participates in a shared service agreement. Dunn’s bill (A1057) allows coordinators to be hired from other municipalities provided the town has fewer than 5,000 people and the applicant lives within the same county.

“State law needs to be more flexible so we can ensure municipalities can hire someone with the right skills to fill a critical role,” explained Dunn. “Just like the current pandemic we are experiencing; an unexpected disaster could strike at any time. We can prepare by having the right people in the right place at the right time.”

Municipal emergency management coordinators are responsible for planning, activating, and coordinating emergency operations within the municipality. They proclaim states of local disaster emergencies and work with municipal, county, state, and federal agencies, as well local police, fire, and rescue squads.

The Senate passed a companion bill (S551) in November. It now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.