MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement:

Yesterday, this country experienced an undemocratic insurrection, incited by the President of the United States and other Republican leaders. Citizens have a constitutional right to protest but what we saw yesterday at the Capitol was rioting, trespassing, and violence. Those who participated should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The massive security failure at the Capitol complex must be investigated.

I stood in the House Chamber as these extremists breached the building in an attempt to stop the election certification and undermine our constitutional duties because they believed the 2020 election was stolen: a belief directly encouraged by the president. It was not. Our intelligence agencies declared this election ‘the most secure in American history.’ Election officials, Republican and Democrat alike, have certified the election results in every state in the nation and courts have thrown out over 60 cases. We returned to the chamber last night, among bullet holes and broken windows, to stand up for our democracy, certify this election, and ensure Joe Biden will take office on January 20.

The president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. We cannot tolerate a president who fomented an armed insurrection and actively thwarts the peaceful transfer of power in the United States of America. Cabinet officials must take responsibility and invoke the 25th Amendment. And if they cannot fulfill their duty to this country, Congress will be forced to once again stand up for our values and use the whole host of our powers so this cannot happen again, up to and including impeachment.

Yesterday marked one of the darkest days in our history. But we will not back away in our defense of this country. I will fulfill my responsibilities as an American and as an elected representative to the United States Congress to protect our democracy.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Weichert Family of Companies is proud to announce that its employees, associates, friends, and sponsors were able to raise a collective donation of $25,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS) and breast cancer research in 2020. These contributions came despite the hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a real testament to the kindness and generosity of people when, in the most challenging of times, they can still find it in their hearts to give,” said Joe McDonald, regional vice president for Weichert, Realtors. “Breast cancer continues to hit close to home for so many of our colleagues, family members, and friends, who are battling this deadly disease.”

In a normal year, Weichert would have held its annual golf outing fundraiser. In fact, the company was well into preparations for its milestone 20th Annual Charity Golf Outing when COVID-19 hit last March. Like most events in 2020, the pandemic forced Weichert to cancel the golf outing. Nevertheless, the company remained optimistic that many people would still be eager to support the cause.

“The Weichert culture has always been one of giving back to the communities in which we live and work and supporting causes that strive to make the world a better place. Throughout our 20 years of supporting the American Cancer Society, the donations of our sponsors have helped many people through their journey with breast cancer,” explained McDonald.

Since the annual fundraiser began in 2001, Weichert has raised a remarkable $1.637 million for the ACS and breast cancer research.

According to McDonald, the event chairperson, Weichert’s 2021 Annual Charity Golf Outing is scheduled for August 19 at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster. “Our hope is that we can resume our charity event later this year and exceed our previous donations with the continued support of our generous contributors.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s Look Back at 2020. The Morris County Commissioners presented this video at the 2021 Annual Meeting on January 4, 2021. Check out this look back on the year in Morris County!

MORRIS COUNTY — Today was a very difficult day in American history.  The rioters who stormed the Capitol attempting to stage a coup against our government should be condemned in the strongest possible words and be held accountable to the fullest extent by the law. This is not who we are as people. What separates America from many other countries is that our country is of, by, and for the people: The people get to choose their leaders and not the other way around. In this year’s Presidential election, the voters of our county (for the first time since 1964), our state, and our nation chose Joe Biden as our President and Kamala Harris as our Vice-President.  I want to thank those Republicans who have stood up for the peaceful transition of power and I call upon all Morris County elected Republicans to condemn the lawlessness that occurred today.

MORRIS COUNTY  — Senator Joe Pennacchio called the escalating COVID death count within long-term care facilities a heartbreaking indication that after almost a year into the pandemic, errors by the Murphy Administration are still costing the lives of elderly residents.

“More than 300 seniors died in facilities in December alone, more than the previous three months combined,” said Pennacchio. “The Administration has clearly failed to learn from its mistakes – mistakes that contributed to the loss of more than 7,500 virus victims. COVID outbreaks continue a rampant spread through veterans and nursing homes, and the State’s policies have not been adapted. They are doing the same things and hoping for different results, and as the numbers show, that approach is failing miserably.”

The conditions in nursing homes and LTC facilities are spiraling, with cases and deaths nearly doubling in 45 days.  Department of Health statistics show that since Nov. 16, there has been a 132 percent increase in cases associated with outbreaks, and fatalities spiked 62 percent.

“The Administration has failed to apply the same common sense to nursing homes they have afforded the prisons,” Pennacchio said. “The state continues to allow new COVID-positive patients into nursing homes, exposing and putting at risk the vulnerable residents who reside there. How do they justify that?”

Pennacchio faulted the State Senate for “abdication of responsibility,” and “a historic indifference to the more than 7,500 souls that died.”

The Senator called for a Senate Select Oversight Committee to investigate the Administration’s handling of the COVID crisis in April. A month later, with fatalities mounting in nursing homes, Senate Republicans wrote a letter to Senate leadership requesting the creation of the panel.

“We had an agreement to convene the committee, but unfortunately, it became a partisan issue. On three different occasions, motions to form this important Senate Select Committee were voted down on partisan lines with Democrats refusing to commit to the oversight,” Pennacchio said. “The families of nursing home victims have no place to turn for answers because the State Senate turned its back on them.

“The Senate Dems showed more interest in figuring out who placed the cones on the George Washington Bridge than investigating the policies resulting in unthinkable numbers of deaths in nursing and veterans homes,” the Senator continued.

“The pandemic is more important than political gamesmanship, and the recent numbers make it crystal clear,” said Pennacchio. “The people sent us to Trenton to do a job, and it is time for the Senate to investigate the way the State has handled the COVID outbreak.”