MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Mark Esper urging support for programs and facilities at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway and Jefferson Township, the Joint Center of Excellence for Armaments and Munitions.

The critical work performed by more than 6,000 people at Picatinny directly enhances the U.S. military’s capabilities and our soldiers’ safety. It is also the largest employer in Representative Sherrill’s District. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Sherrill will continue to ensure the Army has the budget it needs for Picatinny to provide needed capabilities for our national security.

Text of letter below:

The Honorable Mark T. Esper
March 7, 2019

Secretary of the Army
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC  20301-1400

Dear Secretary Esper,

It was great to meet you last month to discuss the Army’s priorities for Fiscal Year 2020. I am aware of the Army’s proposal to shift more than $31 billion towards six modernization priorities, including the Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) mission at Picatinny Arsenal. I urge you to support the programs and related facilities and equipment required by the Armaments Center of the Combat Capabilities Development Command to accomplish the LRPF mission.

First, elevating the LRPF mission as you have planned should be complemented by an investment in the specific facilities that support this Army modernization priority. I am proud of the ongoing work at Picatinny Arsenal on the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA), a major component of the Army’s effort to increase lethality within the LRPF mission. I urge you to take every opportunity to augment and enhance the facilities that support this program.

Second, I recently met with Brigadier General Abramson who briefed me on how the Army garrison works to support the numerous tenants at Picatinny Arsenal and how they would benefit from a new Access Control Point at the main gate. Army research facilities, such as Picatinny Arsenal rely on cooperative research and development occurring both on and off the installation. I respectfully request that you give all due consideration to the $24 million needed for this military construction project to provide greater security for the highly-skilled workforce and military families.

Finally, as you are aware, the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Appropriations Act provided $41 million to build a Munitions Disassembly Complex at Picatinny Arsenal. I strongly oppose any reprogramming request to shift these funds away from their authorized and intended purpose.

I look forward to working with you on the Army’s modernization priorities.

MORRIS COUNTY — Get your dancing or running shoes on and celebrate with County College of Morris (CCM). To commemorate 50 years of serving the Morris County community, CCM will be hosting a Titan Weekend, a fun-filled extravaganza from May 3 through May 5, with something for everyone. The weekend celebration will include a Titan Ball, CCM’s mascot Titus the Titan’s Birthday and Titan Trot 5K.

Registration is now open for the Titan Trot 5K, which will take place Sunday, May 5, on the CCM Randolph campus, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph. USAFT certified, the Titan Trot 5K consists both of a run and walk. Participants can register online by clicking here with a registration fee of $25.00. The day of the 5K, registration begins at 7:00 a.m. and the race and walk start at 9:00 a.m.

On Friday, May 3, the CCM Foundation will hold a Titan Ball, a Greek mythology inspired gala at the Hanover Marriott, in Whippany, complete with Adonis and Aphrodite appetizers and elixirs, and ‘Medusa’ dining and dancing. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

On Saturday, May 4, CCM will celebrate Titus’ Birthday, to honor the college’s mascot and provide the community with a free family-fun-filled event, featuring music, food and special programming. The Titus’ Birthday celebration will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on the college’s campus.

“We are grateful for the support of the Morris County community over the last 50 years and very proud of our more than 50,000 alumni, our partnerships with the business community and the cultural events we offer for personal enrichment,” said President Anthony J. Iacono. “Our Titan Weekend is an opportunity for the public to join with our alumni, students and employees to celebrate CCM’s five decades of success.”

Since its founding, CCM has grown into one of the state’s most recognized community colleges. The college consistently has one of the highest combined graduation and transfer rates in the state and is highly recognized for the strength of its engineering and healthcare programs. CCM also is the only community college in New Jersey to be named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, PayScale has rated CCM number one in New Jersey based on the earnings of its graduates.

Over five decades, CCM has educated tens of thousands of students, who have positively impacted the local community, region and beyond. A 2017 study by Emsi, a leading provider of economic impact reports, found the college’s annual contribution to the Morris County economy equates to more than $484 million. Today, CCM is recognized for its high-quality educational offerings, which include transfer, career, workforce development and lifelong learning.

To learn more about Titan Weekend, click here.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police S. Manney and J. Grawhler, along with other area law enforcement agencies, had a great time last night talking to all the children and families at Mennen Arena who attended the New Jersey Coalition 4 Education and Positive Choices Law Enforcement Night.

This event the youngsters got to see firsthand how law enforcement officers are positive influences in our community.  Law Enforcement Night has been known to further develop these relationships often providing career opportunities for teens who might not have ever considered such a path.

The equipment on display at this event is known to even awe adults.  Never will one see such an array of machinery like this at one location.  Kids were able to ride the horses provided by the Park Police, ambulances, emergency vehicles of every shape and size, wear riot gear, try on handcuffs and co mingle with the law enforcement community in a fun atmosphere.The important aspect to remember is that law enforcement is trained to make these kids feel safe and important.  Confidence and self-esteem go a long way in helping a child say no to his peers when the time arises.