MORRIS COUNTY —  The Morris County Board of Freeholders and county Office of Emergency Management officials released data showing a 95% drop in COVID-19 cases since a devastating April peak and the launch of a highly successful county mobilization of local resources to combat the pandemic spread.

The board emphasized that the results should not be a cause for any residents to stop following safety precautions or guidelines on socially distancing as the pandemic continues. But the board applauded the data, which indicates Morris County went from a daily average of 210 cases on April 13 down to a current daily average of 10 cases. Recent daily reports have shown cases trending further downward, and Atlantic Health System reported today having only two COVID-19 patients being treated at Morristown Medical Center.“Looking at this impressive decline in cases, we have to acknowledge the remarkable response coordinated by the county and local emergency and health authorities to this crisis, and the effective impact they have had,” said Freeholder John Krickus, who publicly presented the data at a public freeholder meeting.

Additional data charts are available by clicking here.

“This is very encouraging data and a testament to Morris County’s swift and direct response. We immediately worked with local health officials when the crisis began in March, we connected with medical facilities in the area and we brought on more public health staff to meet the challenge – all while managing to keep essential county operations, such as road and bridge repair projects, going,” said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith.“We also established a testing center for our residents, and we expect to continue our testing efforts – expanding into at-home testing as well as establishing mobile testing — with a portion of more than $7 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funding secured last week through the Governor’s office.”

Morris County spent $3.8 million in its response to COVID-19 this past spring without any assurance of reimbursement by the federal or state government, but federal and state authorities are providing a portion of the $7 million in CARES aid to cover the expenses. Another $3.3 million will be used for testing moving forward, until June 2021.

“The county’s objectives were to protect the health of Morris County residents and, in the process, allow for the reopening of businesses and other enterprises ordered to shut down by the Governor. We are pleased the efforts have been recognized, and that a large portion of the federal CARES dollars will be put toward reimbursement,” said Director Smith.

Through a COVID-19 Recovery Task Force created by the freeholders to address the pandemic’s impact on community-based organizations and businesses, the county announced on August 13 that it would begin to provide infrared thermometers to community-based organizations and faith-based groups for use at gatherings that follow state social distancing and face-covering guidelines.

“We began with 300 thermometers, and I’m pleased to announce that, in just two weeks, we have approved 120 of the devices for distribution to a very diverse group of organizations spread throughout Morris County,” said Freeholder Tayfun Selen. “We will continue to call attention to the program until we get all 300 units out to the groups who request and need them. I also want to say that the Morris County Sheriff’s Office has been an incredible partner, hand-delivering each unit to the community-based and religious organizations who need them.”

To learn more about Morris County’s initiatives to address COVID-19 since February and other significant announcements about the virus in New Jersey click here.

PARSIPPANY — U.S. Reps. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) today welcomed commitments they received from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, to protect the military’s apolitical status, avoid military involvement in the election process, respect the peaceful transition of presidential authority under the Constitution and refuse to obey any unlawful orders.

Milley’s answers came in response to questions Slotkin and Sherrill submitted following a July hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on military involvement in civilian law enforcement, and in the wake of comments and actions by President Trump suggesting he might seek to use active-duty forces for domestic political purposes. Sherrill was able to address some, but not all, of these issues during the hearing. Slotkin and Sherrill submitted their questions for Milley and to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper; Esper has yet to respond.

Among Milley’s commitments:

• Asked about the possibility of officials trying to use the military for partisan political gain, Milley said, “I believe deeply in the principle of an apolitical U.S. military” and committed to obey all lawful orders and to refuse to obey any lawful order.
• Asked if there are any circumstances under which he would deem it necessary to send the U.S. military to polling places, Milley answered that, “State and Federal governments have qualified individuals who oversee” elections and that, “I do not see the U.S. Military as part of this process.”
• Milley confirmed that disputes over election outcomes must be resolved by civilian authorities, saying, “In the event of a dispute over some aspect of the elections, by law U.S. courts and the U.S. Congress are required to resolve any disputes, not the U.S. Military.… We will not turn our backs on the Constitution of the United States.”

Article II of the Constitution of the United States vests the power of the Presidency in one President and gives Congress the authority to certify his or her election. The Uniformed Code of Military Justice requires members of the U.S. military to obey orders from the congressionally-certified President.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante, and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez announces the hiring and swearing-in of Taylor S. Sharofsky as an Assistant Morris County Prosecutor.

Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky was officially given her oath of office on August 24, 2020, by the Hon. Thomas J. Critchley, Jr., Criminal Division Judge.

Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky will be assigned to the Pre-Trial Services Unit. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University and graduated from New York Law School following her undergraduate studies.

Prior to joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a Legal Assistant, Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky worked as a Law Clerk for the Appellate Division and Superior Court, Criminal Division, Morris/Sussex Vicinage.

Prosecutor Knapp said, “We are excited to have Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky join our team of Assistant Prosecutors here at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. I am confident that she will serve honorably and will benefit the residents of Morris County.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announced today that he is retiring from his current position which he has held since 2012. His last day as Prosecutor will be October 13, 2020, with his retirement effective November 1, 2020.

Prosecutor Knapp was appointed Acting Morris County Prosecutor on December 14, 2012 by then-Governor Chris Christie. After serving in that capacity for approximately 18 months, Knapp and five other prosecutors were confirmed by the New Jersey Senate on June 27, 2014.

In his letter to Governor Phil Murphy, Prosecutor Knapp stated: “Please accept my thanks and appreciation for allowing me to serve as Morris County Prosecutor. Having served the people of Morris County and the State of New Jersey has been the highlight of my professional career for which I will be forever grateful to you and to former Governor Chris Christie.”

During his tenure as Prosecutor, Knapp served as President of the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey (CPANJ) for the year 2018.

On February 11, 2018, Prosecutor Knapp was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Sentencing Review and Revision Commission which has issued a report and recommendations to remedy disparities in sentencing, many of which are contained within proposed legislation pending before the Legislature.

On June 8, 2017, Knapp was named “Prosecutor of the Year” by the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association.

On March 18, 2020, the New Jersey Bias Crime Officers Association presented Prosecutor Knapp with their “Visionary Leadership Award”.

Prosecutor Knapp has served as a Commissioner of the New Jersey Police Training Commission since January 2017 as the delegate of the CPANJ.

Knapp stated: “I am exceedingly proud of the men and women of the MCPO with whom I have served. All are law enforcement professionals singularly dedicated to doing justice. It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to have led the MCPO and these outstanding public servants. They often perform incredibly brave and selfless acts in the line of duty, unrecognized by the public, for which they should all be commended.

“I plan to relax and spend more time with my family, especially my grandson, in the coming months and to pursue other professional endeavors.”

MORRIS COUNTY — This 2-year-old American Bulldog/Pit mix is an absolute love and will be your favorite dog ever! We are so excited that Mac has successfully completed extensive, professional training and is ready for his forever home!

Mac loves to cuddle, give kisses, and go for walks. He’s a total mush just like his name! He does have a prey drive and his owner will need to be aware while walking him.

Mac is good with other large dogs but would do best in a home without any other pets or children. He is potty-trained and walks well in a harness. He also knows “sit” and “come!” Mac is very eager to please.

Mac is also happy to help you finish your meals and loves snacks. What can we say, his name is on point! Mac’s ideal home is one that doesn’t have frequent visitors or parties–he wants you all to himself–but also one that loves to go for long walks who plays lots of fetches!

If you’re looking for a big snuggle bug to add to your home, apply to adopt Mac today!

If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.

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MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi, Esq., would like to reassure all voters, regardless of party affiliation, that the 2020 General Election will be conducted in full compliance with all applicable statutes and laws.

Clerk Grossi states, “My staff and I are working diligently to ensure that full compliance is being adhered t0 all aspects of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #177. This includes fulfilling my duties as Secretary to the Board of Canvassers, which makes up the Board of Elections.”

The County Board of Canvassers is comprised of four Commissioners, two Republicans, and two Democrats, who certify the election totals and delivers them to Clerk Grossi for her signature. Clerk Grossi states, “As the Secretary to the Board of Canvassers, I have faithfully signed off on those election results for the past seven years and I am committed to doing so in the 2020 General Election.” She further states, “As a Constitutional Officer and as an Officer of the Court, I take an Oath to adhere to the rule of law, I am bound by that Oath, and I will ensure that Oath is upheld.”

Please check our website www.morriscountyclerk.org, Facebook account Morris County Clerk, Ann F. Grossi, Esq., and Twitter account @MorrisCtyClerk for updates and frequently asked questions pertaining to the 2020 General Election.