MORRIS COUNTY — Preschool Advantage, a Morristown-based non-profit organization, has appointed Kyle Colwell to the Board of Trustees.

Colwell is a financial advisor at Private Advisor Group and a registered principal with LPL Financial, a company focused on developing and implementing customized wealth management strategies for clients.

Colwell is thrilled to join the Preschool Advantage Board and commented, “The organization’s mission and work are so important because of their far-reaching impact on children, their families and their communities, far beyond the preschool years.I believe that the fundamental solution to so many problems in our world is a better education. By providing access to quality education for those who need it most, at the very beginning of their educational journey, Preschool Advantage seeks to prepare these children for a bright future.”

Colwell earned a BA in History from the University of Vermont. He and his wife Emily live in Morristown. In his spare time Colwell enjoys skiing and is an avid fly-fisherman.

Preschool Advantage, a non-profit organization founded in 1995, provides families with financial assistance for early education and has funded over 1,500 tuitions in its 25-year history. We place children in one of our 28 established partner schools that offer high quality early education. To learn more about Preschool Advantage call (973) 532-2501 or click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy, who announced he was lifting the months-long stay-at-home order, has utilized his pen and executive orders to circumvent the elected Legislature and avoid public scrutiny during his time in office. He plans to sign another executive order raising limits on the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings in the state.

Pennacchio and Oroho this week introduced a resolution (SCR-117) proposing a state constitutional amendment that would rein in gubernatorial powers.

“Murphy’s affinity for unilateral edicts has been on prominent display during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Pennacchio (R-26). “He’s been indiscriminately signing executive orders, acting more like an emperor without any accountability. This resolution would give the power back to the people with a vote on an amendment to the state constitution placing restrictions on executive authority.”

The proposed amendment would provide that certain emergency orders, rules or regulations issued by a governor during a state of emergency will terminate on the 15th day after issuance unless the Legislature approves an extension. This will force the governor to work with the Legislature.

“This will restore the balance of power intended in the New Jersey Constitution and the transparency state residents deserve,” Pennacchio said. “Neither this governor nor any governor should be allowed to indefinitely dictate matters of statewide importance independent of the Legislature, a co-equal branch of government elected by the people.”

During his daily briefing, Murphy announced an increase in the limit for outdoor gatherings to 100 people, with plans to go to 250 later in June, and 500 on July 3.

“The Governor reacted because the people have had enough,” said Senator Oroho (R-24). “The prolonged situation has been wearing thin on residents and businesses, and more reason is finally taking hold. But it’s clear we need to reform the policy process. This resolution will bring balanced governance in times of crisis, and provide appropriate checks and balances as envisioned in our State Constitution.

“No one person should ever have absolute authority when it involves individuals’ rights as protected in our Constitution. It took months to get the governor to change course. It shouldn’t have to be that way. The Legislature should have a defined role for governing the state jointly in emergency situations.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement on the nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court:

“I applaud Governor Murphy’s nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court. I worked with Fabiana at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and she is very impressive. As Attorney-in-Charge of the Camden Branch Office, Fabiana broke barriers and worked tirelessly to serve our country and keep our communities safe. Her nomination as the first black woman to the court is a milestone for New Jersey, and much needed good news at this difficult time. I know Fabiana will serve on the Supreme Court with the values she has upheld throughout her entire career — with the dedication to justice and equal treatment under the law.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblyman Jay Webber sent a letter (Click Here) to State Police Colonel Pat Callahan Monday requesting fair and consistent enforcement of the state’s executive orders enforcing social distancing.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Colonel Callahan:

In the ongoing effort to clamp down on those who would commit acts that our Governor has lectured us would threaten the public health and safety of us all, I write to inform you of two separate violations of Executive Order 148 that occurred yesterday in Westfield and Hillside.

Photographic and written evidence on social media indicates that one Philip Dunton Murphy of Middletown openly and brazenly defied Executive Order 148 by purposely, repeatedly, and wantonly associating with others in groups of greater than 25 individuals, and aiding and abetting such behavior.  Consistent with the treatment of other individuals who have committed similar acts, that behavior appears to merit a criminal citation for violations pursuant to N.J.S.A. App.A 9-49(h) and 9-50.  A violator of those laws “shall be adjudged a disorderly person and shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 6 months or shall pay a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or to both a fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.”

As you yourself have warned, “Because lives are at stake, enforcement action will be taken without hesitation against those who are blatantly placing the lives of others at risk.”  Attorney General Grewal also has emphasized, “I said we were done with warnings and would take strong law enforcement action against anyone who failed to heed the Governor’s COVID-19 related emergency orders.  This crackdown will continue until everyone gets the message that they need to stop these violations.”

The whereabouts of Mr. Murphy are unknown to my office at this time, but I have reason to believe that he will be seated about 15 feet to your right at 2:30 p.m. today at the War Memorial in Trenton.  I trust you will uphold your public duty to the fair and consistent enforcement of our laws at that time.

MORRIS COUNTY — Tuesday, June 16 is the deadline to register to vote in the primary election Tuesday, July 7.

To be eligible to vote, residents:

• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Must be a Morris County resident 30 days before the election.
• Must be a resident of the election district in which you expect to vote on Election Day.
• Must be 18 years old on or before the next election. Residents may register at age 17 but cannot vote until they turn 18.
• Must not be serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of an indictable offense under federal or state laws.

People who have moved or changed their names need to fill out the correct form and submit it to the Morris County Board of Elections by June 16.

People who have moved to Morris County from another county in New Jersey need to complete a voter registration form. (Click here)

Forms are available at the Morris County Elections Center by clicking here. Completed forms must be mailed to the Morris County Board of Elections, 10 Court Street, Second Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960.

MORRIS COUNTY — The grassroots political group NJ 11th for Change has planned a “Dropbox Drive-In Demonstration for Racial Justice” Monday, June 8, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s district office, 8 Wood Hollow Road, Parsippany.