NEW JERSEY — In August 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill S824 which significantly changes the penalties for first-time DWI offenders. The new law went into effect December 1, 2019.

Because New Jersey is one of the few states that does not have a work exception to a license suspension for DWI, many people are unable to get to work when faced with a long license suspension, causing them to lose their jobs. In an effort to address this, the new law significantly reduces the period of license suspension for first time offenders of both Driving While Intoxicated and Refusing to submit to a breath test.

Although the new law will decrease the period of license suspension, it will make it mandatory for those convicted of a DWI or Refusal to install an Ignition Interlock Device or (IID) in their vehicle.

New Jersey will become the 34th “all-offender” state, requiring every motorist convicted of drunken driving to install one.

The Ignition Interlock Device is a small computerized device that records a person’s Blood Alcohol Content, similar to the Alcotest machine used by police. The IID gets installed in the vehicle of someone convicted of driving while intoxicated or refusing a breath sample. The car will not start if the blood alcohol level registers above .05 percent, which is slightly below the legal limit of .08. After the car begins moving, the technology periodically requires the driver to blow into the tube to insure it is actually testing the driver of the car.

Under the new law, the Ignition Interlock Device will be required to be installed in the vehicle principally operated by the offender during and after the period of license suspension. The cost of the installation of the IID will be the responsibility of driver. The Motor Vehicle Commission maintains a list of authorized ignition interlock vendors and service centers that are certified to install them. The driver leases the device from the vendor for about $75 a month and also pays for installation. That generally runs about $150 but can be as high as $400, depending on the make of the car.

The device records every breath test and stores the data. The driver must bring the interlock back to the installer every two months so the machine can be calibrated, at which time the data is downloaded and sent to the state.

Under the new law, a first time DWI offender, who has a BAC of between 0.08% and 0.10% will now lose their driver’s license for 30 days, instead of 90 days. A person who falls under this category will be required to pay for and have the IID installed in the vehicle principally operated by them during the 30 day license suspension and for 3 to 6 months after the suspension period. A first time offender will still be required to attend the Intoxicated Drivers Resource Center for 12-48 hours.

If a first time offender’s BAC is 0.10% or higher but less than 0.15% BAC, or the person is convicted of driving under the influence of drugs, the driver’s license suspension is reduced from seven months to 45 days and they must install the IID during the suspension and for six months to one year after the suspension period.

If the first offender’s BAC is 0.15% or higher, there is a 90 day license suspension. Also, the IID must be installed during the 90 day suspension and after the suspension for one year to 18 months.

If someone is convicted for the first time of Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample (39:4-50.4a) the license suspension is reduced from the current 7-12 months to a period of 90 days. That person is required to install the IID during the 90 day suspension and for six months to one year following the suspension.

The new law does not change the license suspension period of a second or subsequent DWI offender, but it now requires anyone convicted of a second or more DWI or Refusal to install an IID in each motor vehicle principally owned or operated, or both, by the offender during the license suspension and after the expiration of the license suspension for one to three years.

TRENTON – With the arrival of the holiday season, Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy invite New Jersey residents to attend The Holidays at Drumthwacket, a longstanding tradition of open houses at the Governor’s official residence in Princeton. The Drumthwacket Foundation, in partnership with nine garden clubs representing eight different counties from across New Jersey, has decorated each room using fresh arrangements and greenery to complement the architecture and decor of the historical property. This year, the Governor and First Lady have doubled the number of hours that Drumthwacket will be open for holiday tours and expect many New Jerseyans to experience The Holidays at Drumthwacket.

“The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, reflect on our blessings, and spend time with loved ones,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Drumthwacket is a beautiful point of pride for our state and we hope everyone will visit and enjoy the historical property. Phil and I look forward to the tradition of opening the People’s House and sharing this joyful season with all New Jerseyans.”

The tours are self-guided and there will be several docents stationed throughout Drumthwacket to answer questions and provide historical information about the property. The open house tours will be held on the following dates:

• • Thursday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 7, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 17, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 19, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 21, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Reservations are required; admission and on-site parking are free of charge. To make tour arrangements click here.

The Holidays at Drumthwacket includes the following display presentations located throughout the first floor of the residence:

Front Portico: Decorated by the Garden Club of Mountain Lakes 
A grand Chanukah menorah and majestic holiday trees will welcome guests to celebrate the joys of the season at Drumthwacket. With a nod to the traditional design of the home, the Garden Club of Mountain Lakes will decorate the beautiful entrance with fresh greens, elegant leaves, and blue velvet. Look closely and you will find frosty New Jersey blueberries and even some native black bears.

Foyer: Decorated by the Seaweeders Garden Club of Bay Head and Mantoloking 

The Seaweeders Garden Club of Bay Head and Mantoloking invites you into Drumthwacket to celebrate Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights,” for the holidays. A beautiful Menorah will be flanked by two white amaryllis plants surrounded by seasonal greens. Three mussel trees will sit on a mirror “ice lake” and a silver bowl will be filled with coins and dreidels. The large tree behind the stairway will celebrate all of New Jersey’s governors, pictured in silver frames, and be hung amidst silver sprayed tight hydrangeas, conical shaped hydrangeas, natural greens, and ribbon. The majestic banister will be covered in live greens, magnolia leaves, eucalyptus, and hydrangea. Eight presents will be wrapped in silver with blue ribbon and sit on the stairway steps. Two white poinsettias will stand at the top of the stairway, and two silver urns filled with white poinsettias will adorn the entrance to the dining room. Finally, the foyer chandelier and wall sconces will be adorned with greens, ribbon and, of course, mistletoe. Welcome to The Holidays at Drumthwacket!

Dining Room: Decorated by the Bernardsville Garden Club
The Bernardsville Garden Club is excited to heighten the holiday spirit of the mansion’s dining room by using natural plants and materials accented with varied sparkling touches. The room will radiate a sense of elegance and warm “good tidings.” The color palette throughout the room will be gold, silver, and deep red with accents of dark green and white. The dining table, seating twenty-four, is the focus of the room. The centerpiece will speak to nature with fresh pines, dusty miller, artichokes, bronzed thistles, gold curly willow, deep red cocks comb, long soft feathers, and gold twinkling vines. Most extraordinary is the nine-foot holiday tree that will be adorned with imported gold, silver, and red sparkling ornaments, long glistening icicles, and pine cones accented with a gold pleated taffeta ribbon.

Parlor: Decorated by the Keyport Garden Club
The lovely parlor at Drumthwacket will be decorated in traditional and elegant Scottish style and the colors will represent a version of a Scottish Tartan, which is geared to harmonize well with the Chanukah celebration. There will be a beautiful glass Menorah and other decorations, as well as the blue and silver colors in celebration of the Festival of Lights. The magnificent fireplaces will display a wonderful garland of traditional Christmas greens and colors that will include a touch of Keyport maritime traditions and Christmas memories. Scottish decorations and touches will adorn the lovely parlor in addition to a small nativity to honor the season. There will be seasonal greens and twigs, hydrangeas in varying colors, celosia in deep red, sedums, yellow asters, zebra grass feathers all collected and dried by our gardeners. Finally, complementary garlands over the doorways will welcome guests.

Music Room: Decorated by the Garden Club of Essex Fells
The Garden Club of Essex Fells celebrates the holiday season and the club’s centennial year by showcasing traditions with a joyous holiday sing in the music room. The club will “deck the halls” with natural greens that line the winding streets of town and bows of dogwood, the symbol of Essex Fells. Holiday traditions include luminaries, decorated holiday street posts, and the Christmas Eve sing, celebrating its 95th anniversary. Also, the club’s community programs will be highlighted including the Olden House herb gardens, garden therapy, and seasonal veteran’s hospital workshop favors. We hope you enjoy the holiday traditions!

Library: Decorated by the West Trenton Garden Club

Imagine a cold winter’s evening, snow falling on Drumthwacket, and a roaring fire in this quiet room beautifully primed for the holidays. Sitting next to this magnificent fireplace, one can enjoy a good book and a cup of eggnog. To honor Drumthwacket’s exquisite library, the club will create “Books in Bloom” with ornaments, garlands, wreaths, and book sculptures hand made from old, well-loved books. A variety of magnolia leaves, arborvitae, holly branches, and beautiful floral arrangements will enhance the book displays.

Governor’s Study: Decorated by the Allentown Garden Club
The Allentown Garden Club will decorate the Governor’s Study with a theme that celebrates Winter Holidays in the New Jersey Pine Barrens which is inspired by, and pays homage to, the legendary beauty of the Pine Barrens and the surrounding rural region in the great Garden State. The decor will be as natural as possible with a rustic, understated charm and grace that is characteristic of the Pine Lands and agrarian regions of New Jersey. Festive, interior displays will utilize indigenous, organic items from the region including evergreens, holly, pine, pine cones, winterberries, and cranberries. To create a warm and welcoming holiday atmosphere, the club’s interpretation of Winter Holidays in the New Jersey Pine Barrens will celebrate both Christmas, with a traditional decorated tree, and Chanukah with a menorah display and eight beautifully-wrapped packages, symbolic of each of the eight-days of the gift-giving holiday.

Residence Wreaths: Decorated by the Garden Club of Warren 
The Garden Club of Warren is delighted to welcome you to the holidays at Drumthwacket by decorating the front gate wreaths with colors of the holidays. The Garden Club of Warren will feature pine cones as part of the gate wreath decor in acknowledgement of the many tree farms of Warren County. Warren Garden Club will provide elegant bows for the fresh green wreaths that will be hung at twenty-nine windows which are a part of the front facade of Drumthwacket.

Solarium: Decorated by the Greater Woodbury Garden Club
Greens accented with dried hydrangeas and faux magnolias, as well as two long oval-shaped wreaths will complement the room. Shiny red accents will intermix with willow branches to break up the greens. Swags of evergreen adorn the sills of the windows by the inside entrance with matching arrangements on the lanterns. A runner embedded with dried hydrangea and coordinating greens will run along the sill leading down the steps to the restrooms. The statue by the stairs will be surrounded by an arrangement of greens accented with dried hydrangea.

Garden Club of New Jersey
The Garden Club of New Jersey (GCNJ) founded in 1925, serves over 4,700 members in 109 clubs throughout the state. Landscape Design, Gardening Study, and Flower Show Schools are offered for educational development. Local and state projects are encouraged to meet the diverse interests of the GCNJ membership. The GCNJ provides education, resources, and many opportunities for adult and youth members to expand the love of gardening and floral design and encourages active participation in civic, environmental, and historic preservation projects to protect the past for the future. www.gardenclubofnewjersey.com

The Drumthwacket Foundation
Founded in 1982, the Drumthwacket Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. It serves to inspire pride in and enhance the civic awareness of Drumthwacket, the official New Jersey Governor’s residence and a nationally landmarked historic site. The Foundation facilitates restoration and conservation of the residence and offers education and cultural programs that recognize the rich diversity of New Jersey’s communities and residents. www.drumthwacket.org

Dear Editor:

My name is Johan and I’m part of the North Jersey Climate Coalition. We are a collection of organizations across Northern New Jersey bringing people together for the next climate strike. To demonstrate the growing awareness about the dire effects of climate change, the youth-led movement along with supporting adults are marching together on Friday, December 6, at 12:00 Noon, as part of this global event.

The event is a way for the public to demand Clean Air, Clean Water, Clean Energy, and Justice for All. This follows the global strike on September 20 which more than 7 million people participated and the momentum has been building since.

NJ Transit has proposed a gas power plant in Kearny using $410M funds from the Hurricane Sandy disaster relief fund. This new plant will emit more than 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, a number made worse by the fact that New Jersey continues to be among the most polluted states in the country according to the 2018 American Lung Association report. Newark is also at the forefront of lead contamination in our water as we have seen in numerous publications this year.

In New Jersey we already had a huge win with Governor Murphy publicly voicing his opposition to the North Bergen power plant in the Meadowlands on October 9. But there is still much work to be done before New Jersey becomes a leader in renewable and clean energy. Join us in Newark on December 6th as we demand Clean Air, Clean Water, Clean Energy and Justice for All.

RSVP by clicking here.

Johan Andrade

MORRIS COUNTY — Elected as chair was Thomas Pepe of Morristown, Jeffrey Advokat of Denville, vice chair; Paul R. Licitra of Flanders, treasurer; and Barbara Lorfink Hadzima of Morris Township, secretary.The County College of Morris Board of Trustees at its annual reorganization meeting elected its officers for 2020.

Before retiring, Pepe served as chief financial officer for Communications Strategies, Inc., a family-owned public relations and marketing agency. He is a member of the CCM Foundation Board of Directors and a council member of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

Included among other community involvement, he is former president of the Patriot’s Path Council, Boy Scouts of America; and is chair and trustee of NORWESCAP, the community action program of Northwest New Jersey.

Advokat is a senior partner of Advokat & Rosenberg Esqs. in Morristown and a former Morris County assistant prosecutor. He has served on the Executive Board of the Pingry School PSPA in Short Hills and has experience in the classroom having taught business law at Caldwell College.

Licitra is the office administrator for state Sen. Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space and Assemblyman Hal Wirths, and Sergeant of Arms for the New Jersey Senate. He possesses extensive experience in insurance, spanning more than 45 years and covering all aspects of risk management for large domestic and international clients. He was the mayor of Mount Olive from 2000-04, after serving eight years on the Township Council.

Hadzima is a retired middle school administrator and college adjunct. She has participated in the Chinese Bridge Delegation (Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters) to Chinese Universities, which focuses on school visits, cultural activities and educational workshops. She contributed to the New Jersey ALPHA Peace/Reconciliation Program in China, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Along with participating in state sponsored programs to bring light to European concentration camps and Yad Vashem in Israel, Hadzima assisted with the development of the New Jersey State Curriculum Guide to teach Holocaust/Genocide.

Also continuing their service on the board are Morris County Superintendent of Schools Angelica Allen-McMillan, Maria Aprile of Randolph, George E. Dredden III of Parsippany, Jack Frost Jr., of Morris Township, George J. Milonas, Dr. Joseph S. Weisberg of Parsippany, and Alumni Trustee Natalie Otero Lopez, who graduated from CCM in 2019 with an Associate in Humanities/Social Science.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey and Morristown National Historical Park invite you to a special presentation at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of a 1944 donation by the local Jewish community to the Morristown National Historical Park.

The program will occur in Morristown NHP’s Washington’s Headquarters Museum, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, New Jersey. The program is free, but space is limited. Registration is required; please contact Linda Forgosh at lforgosh@jfedgmw.org or (973) 929-2994.

The gift was an 18th Century highboy chest of drawers, and served as a thank-you to the nation for its support of the Jewish community during the Second World War. The donation was enhanced by the provenance of the chest to John Hancock, a seminal figure in American history.

The December 1 event will feature period appropriate light refreshments, a program by Mr. & Mrs. Hancock, portrayed by actors from the American Historical Theater, and an opportunity to see the chest currently on limited-time exhibit in the Ford Mansion.

The program is free but registration is required. To register, contact Linda Forgosh at lforgosh@jfedgmw.org or (973) 929-2994.

You can view the highboy chest by clicking here.

After the December 1 program, the highboy will be on display until December 31 in Morristown National Historical Park’s Ford Mansion. The Ford Mansion is only accessible during guided tours that begin in the Washington’s Headquarters Museum between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday.

Tickets for the tours are on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations. For more information, call (973) 539-2016, ext. 210, Wednesday-Sunday, or click here.