Dear Editor:

I am a recent college graduate. I majored in sustainable development. Based on the information I have learned, I am terrified. Climate change is happening now, and every day we let slip by without action increases the degree of widespread human suffering.

Though I am afraid, I have hope. My ecology professor explained, “The earth is self-regulating and will always be more powerful than we are. Ecological studies have shown that the earth will fix itself if we let it, at a rate much faster than predicted. But we must reduce the pressure.” I focus on this truth and put my hope in the resilience of nature that can never be dismantled.

A Green New Deal will help Americans support nature’s resiliency. We must transform our economy now to preserve the resources we depended on. We need a massive mobilization of every sector of society to socially reconstruct our norms. Any presidential candidate who wants to be taken seriously on climate and earn the support of young people need to support Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Markey’s resolution.

Take care of your planet. It’s the only place you have to live.

Sincerely,
Julia
Madison

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire Departments were called to a possible gas leak with a smoke condition at approximately 4:40 p.m. at ShopRite, 808 Route 46, Arlington Shopping Center. It was reported a small fire began in compressor room which eventually turned into a refrigerator leaking.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5, Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Department District 4, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6, Whippany Fire Department, Boonton Fire Department and Pine Brook Fire Department were all on the scene. Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad was also on the scene as well as Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.

Jersey Central Power and Light and New Jersey Natural Gas was also called to the scene.

The store has reopened on Monday, February 18.

MORRIS COUNTY — Literacy Volunteers of Morris County (LVMC) is pleased to announce a generous grant of $25,000 from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the organization of craigslist founder Craig Newmark, to support the organization’s adult literacy program.

Currently, more than 300 LVMC tutors provide instruction to more than 500 students throughout Morris County. This grant will help to ensure that these students become fluent in English, learn their legal rights, and become more engaged and active citizens and members of the community.

”I am delighted that Craig Newmark, a graduate of Morristown High School, has not forgotten his roots, and is focused on helping others and making the world a better place,” said Debbie Leon, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Morris County. “His support will enable us to help hundreds of people in Morris County to improve their lives.”

Asking for help can be difficult for an adult. Through Literacy Volunteers, students from all walks of life may attend free, one-one-one or group classes to improve their skills in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Literacy Volunteers of Morris County is a non-profit organization of trained volunteers who are dedicated to providing adults with one-to-one and small group tutoring across over 40 communities in Morris County. We believe that the ability to read, write, comprehend and speak English is essential to personal freedom and the sustainability of a democratic society. To learn more click here.

Craig Newmark Philanthropies was created by craigslist founder Craig Newmark to support and connect people and drive broad civic engagement. The organization works to advance people and grassroots organizations that are getting stuff done in areas that include trustworthy journalism, voter protection, gender diversity in technology, and veterans and military families. For more information click here.

PARSIPPANY — Payless shoe stores plans to close 2,100 locations becoming the latest retailer to succumb to increasing competition from online rivals like Amazon It has over 4,400 stores in more than 30 countries and was founded in 1956.

As part of the bankruptcy process, Payless is looking for buyers for its real estate, which could include selling large blocks of stores in certain areas of the country. If it cannot find buyers, it may need to shutter the majority, if not all, of its North American stores.

The discount shoe store will close all 2,100 of its locations in the United States and Puerto Rico in the coming months, including the store located in the Morris Hills Shopping Center. There are also stores in Livingston, Rockaway and Willowbrook Malls.

The debt-burdened chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 2017, closing hundreds of stores as part of its reorganization.

Payless was founded in 1956 by two cousins, Louis and Shaol Lee Pozez, to offer self-service stores selling affordable footwear.

MORRIS COUNTY — Young men and women, ages 14-20, who are interested in careers in aviation are invited to join Aviation Explorer Post 523 on Wednesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Morristown Airport.  The goal of the post is to help teens experience different career paths in aviation. At biweekly meetings, youth meet professionals from different areas in the aviation industry.

On February 20, they will meet with a corporate aviation flight department and one of their aviation mechanics and hangar managers.

Post 523 is chartered to DM Airports Ltd. and will meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month. New Explorers are welcome and can register by clicking here.

Exploring is a worksite-based program of Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America.  Exploring units, called “posts”, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as police, healthcare, law, aviation, engineering, fire/rescue or the like, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity.

For further information please contact Al Thomas, District Executive at (973) 765-9322 ext. 229, or email: al.thomas@scouting.org.