Freeholder Steve Shaw administers the Oath of Office to Councilman Dan Happer
MOUNTAIN LAKES — On Monday, January 7, the Borough of Mountain Lakes conducted its Annual Reorganization Meeting, at the Media Center of Mountain Lakes High School. The Borough Council selected Councilwoman Lauren Barnett to serve as Mayor for her second consecutive term. Barnett, a Democrat, was first elected in 2016.
Freeholder Steve Shaw administers the Oath of Office to Councilwoman Audrey Lane
This past November, six candidates ran for three Borough Council seats. Republican Dan Happer was re-elected to his third four-term. Happer was first elected to the Borough Council in 2008 and served as Mayor in 2013 and 2014. Republican Audrey Lane and Democrat Tom Menard were also elected this fall and took their oaths of office. Incumbent Councilmen William Barrett and Peter Holmberg did not seek re-election after serving for four years and eight years, respectively.
Morris County Freeholder Stephen Shaw administered the oath of office to Dan Happer and to Audrey Lane. Shaw, a Mountain Lakes HS alum, previously served on the Mountain Lakes Borough Council from 2001 to 2013, including as Mayor from 2005-06 and in 2009.
Numerous elected officials were in attendance, including Senator Tony Bucco, Assemblyman Tony Bucco, Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo, Sheriff James Gannon, and former Assemblyman Dick Kamin.
Mayor Lauren Barnett administers the Oath to Matt DeSantis, who will serve as Assistant Fire Chief in 2019
2019 Borough Fire Department Officials include Chief William Bender, Deputy Chief Joseph Mullaney, and Assistant Chief Matthew DeSantis. DeSantis, also a MLHS alum who recently served as Borough Fire Chief, ran for Borough Council last Fall and finished fourth of the six candidates. The Mountain Lakes Fire Department is all-volunteer.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — The Township Committee held its reorganization meeting on Thursday, January 3. If you only watch ONE meeting this year, you should watch this one.
In addition to swearing in re-elected Committee Member John Ferramosca, honoring someone who has served the Township for a whopping 48 years, and making all the appointments necessary to properly run the Township, the reports from Committee members goes a bit deeper, in that it recaps the entire year that has passed and provides a vision for the coming year.
You’ll also find out who announced that they will be running for re-election to the Committee in this year.
So pour a vessel of your favorite beverage and sit down to to watch this one.
BOONTON — The Nature Nest announces a unique open house to take place on Groundhog Day, Saturday, February 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 220 Vreeland Avenue, Boonton.
The event will feature fun for the whole family including Groundhog Day themed arts & crafts, music and entertainment, games and activities, healthy non-GMO snacks and beverages, a vendor “pop-up” with 25 like-minded local businesses and service providers, goody bags and door prizes.
Admission is free. Families can register online by clicking here.
The Nature Nest is a unique child care center offering a wholesome, child-centered, curiosity-based approach to learning and development. It has been a home-based business since 2014 and is run by Sarah Myriam, a Parsippany resident and mother of four. Myriam started her career in early childhood care and development 20 years ago and has a long-history of teaching and managing both public and private childcare centers.
Myriam is extremely passionate about family wellness and an advocate for all things natural. As she states, “”I want to change the world! Back to the basic natural principles we’ve forgotten. I believe we need to teach children and families how to live, love, and truly enjoy nature and all it has to offer us. It gives us all we will ever need.”
The Nature Nest approach is founded on the believe that children benefit most from a calm and simple environment where they are immersed in the wonders of life and experience the world through music and movement, art, nature, cooking, play, handwork, helping and stories.
Children learn through a variety of self-driven multi-disciplinary activities that incorporate science, math, language arts, music, movement, visual arts, social studies and practical life.
In 2019 The Nature Nest is opening a 4,600 square foot facility at 220 Vreeland Avenue in Boonton, formerly the site of the Ada Budrick Child Care & Learning Center. The new facility features multiple classrooms, a common multi-purpose area, an outdoor playground and learning space and a commercial kitchen.
With the opening of their new facility The Nature Nest will be able to welcome many new families to the and offer additional services and programs. While the plan is to initially focus on full and part-time care for children ages two months to Kindergarten the vision is to serve school age children and the rest of the family too.
To learn more about part-time or full-time care for your children complete an online information request. Private tours are also available at any time. For more information click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — The University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that more than 5,500 undergraduates have qualified for the fall 2018 Dean’s List. The students represent nearly all of Rhode Island’s cities and towns, all six New England states, New York and New Jersey, and many other states and nations.
To be included on the Dean’s List, students must have completed 12 or more credits during a semester for letter grades with at least a 3.30 quality point average. Part-time students qualify with the accumulation of 12 credits with a 3.30 quality point average. The list includes students who have not yet declared their majors as well as those from all of the University’s undergraduate academic colleges.
The following students from your area have been named to URI’s fall 2018 Dean’s List:
Jo Giorgi of Florham Park
Kevin Armstrong of Madison
Christian Palmer of Madison
Hannah Cronk of Boonton
Annie Zitelli of Boonton
Jessica Petonak of Boonton
Katie Forte of Morris Plains
Shannon Keller of Morris Plains
Victoria Sullivan of Morris Plains
Sabrina Ullman of Morris Plains
Linus Lay of East Hanover
Meghan Wisniewski of Parsippany
Ryan Wisniewski of Parsippany
Kristi Ambrosino of Parsippany
Joseph Zolla of Lake Hiawatha
Students who qualified for the Dean’s List, but have restricted access to their information under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines, are not included on this public listing. Students may adjust these restrictions on eCampus.
The University of Rhode Island’s pioneering research extends the University’s influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,637 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. In May 2018, more than 3,300 undergraduate and about 750 graduate degrees were awarded. The University now has more than 120,000 alumni worldwide.
Evan Yablonsky is admitted in New Jersey and New York and is based in the Florham Park office
FLORHAM PARK — The law firm of Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. announced the promotions of David G. Buffa, Joelle A. Simms and Evan Yablonsky to principal. Bressler, Amery & Rossis located at 325 Columbia Turnpike, Suite 301.
The promotions are effective January 1, 2019.
Evan Yablonskyjoined the firm in June 2014. His practice includes commercial and insurance litigation. He has over ten years of litigation experience overseeing a wide range of cases in both federal and state courts throughout the country. That experience includes being lead counsel in over 15 jury trials as well as taking hundreds of hours of trial, motion and deposition testimony. Before joining Bressler, he was an assistant public defender in New Jersey. Mr. Yablonsky earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2008 and his B.A. from the University of Delaware in 2005. Evan YablonskyHe is admitted in New Jersey and New York and is based in the New Jersey office.
David G. Buffa joined the firm’s Securities Practice Group in 2010. His work focuses primarily on broker-dealers, investment advisors and other financial companies in connection with securities regulation and litigation matters. He has represented numerous clients in complex regulatory investigations before FINRA and the SEC on a wide range of issues, including retail sales practices, proprietary products, insider trading, cybersecurity and anti-money laundering, and conducted internal investigations on behalf of banks and broker-dealers throughout the country. Mr. Buffa earned his B.A. from Columbia University in 2005 and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 2010. He is based out of Bressler’s New York office.
Joelle A. Simms joined the firm in May 2012. Her practice focuses on securities and commercial litigation. Ms. Simms represents broker-dealers and registered representatives in customer and employment disputes, including expungement proceedings, in state and federal court, and in arbitration proceedings throughout the country before FINRA. She also has experience defending corporate clients in complex commercial and tort litigation in both state and federal courts. Ms. Simms is a member of Bressler’s Senior Issues Counseling and Litigation Defense Group, which provides counsel to corporate clients who confront issues affecting seniors. She is also an active member and serves on the advisory board for the Southeastern Women in Financial Services organization and volunteers on committees for the South Florida chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Ms. Simms earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 2010 and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Richmond in 2007. She is admitted in Florida and Texas and is based in Bressler’s Fort Lauderdale office.
FLORHAM PARK — Music of the bustling 1920s will be performed by singer Christine DeLeon at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 13 at the Florham Park Public Library, 107 Ridgedale Avenue, in the Akhoury Room.
DeLeon will be performing beloved Jazz Age songs from the Roaring 20’s, such as “Ain’t She Sweet” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” as well as providing insightful discussion about music and musicians of the time.
Ain’t we got fun!?! Come learn about the American Culture and significant musical icons of the 1920s. Dance The Charleston and sing along with many treasured “Jazz Age” songs.
Audience members are encouraged to sing along and are invited to join in a spirited “Charleston” dance session. The Akhoury Room seats 75 people.
MADISON — American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Courses for new and recertification students will be held late this Winter through the Spring at Drew University in Madison. Courses will be held in February, March, April, May, June, and July.
The courses are open to the general public. Successful completion of the program will result in certifications of Lifeguard Training, CPR/AED (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of an automated external defibrillator), and First Aid.
Re-certification programs also are available for lifeguards who need to recertify in either Lifeguarding, CPR/Professional Rescuer, or First Aid.
For a listing of programs, dates and times please click here.
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce swearing in new Freeholder Stephen Shaw
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Former Mountain Lakes Mayor Stephen Shaw received the oath of office performed by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce at the Morris County Freeholder Reorganization meeting held on Friday, January 4, 2019. Shaw will serve on the Morris County Freeholder board for a term of three years.
He is serving his first term on the Freeholder Board, and is a member of the Capital Budget Committee and liaison to the Office of Planning and Preservation, and Public Works.
Shaw served as Mayor of Mountain Lakes for three years and as a councilman for twelve years. He was a member of the Mountain Lakes Planning Board for seven years, and was named “Mountain Lakes Police Citizen of the Year”.
He was Vice Chair of the Morris County Open Space Committee and a member of the New Jersey Regional Intergovernmental Transportation Study Commission. Shaw has served as President of the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) and President of the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey. Shaw is currently Chairman of the Mountain Lakes Republican County Committee. In addition, he served several terms as the Senior Warden for the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Mountain Lakes as well as other civic and community leadership positions.
A fifty-one year resident of Morris County, Shaw has lived in six communities – Montville, Boonton Township, Denville, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Township and Mountain Lakes. Shaw owns and operates Shaw Built Homes, a forty-five year old family owned business. His extensive background in land use and planning, economic development, infrastructure consulting and repair in addition to his extensive federal, state and municipal relationships, are skills he feels will help to lead the county as it grapples with the new challenges it faces with the changing economic and community landscape.
Shaw is a graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology; Newark College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, and in 2006 was named their “Outstanding Alumnus”. In addition, he is a licensed NJ Real Estate Agent, a licensed private pilot, is married, has two adult children and one grandson.
Freeholders Stephen Shaw, Deborah Smith and John Krickus
Shaw will be the liaison for the following committees:
Capital Budget/Facilities Review Committee (Chair)
Economic Development (MCEDC/Chamber/Tourism) (Alt. Liaison)
Rob Zwigard, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board Attorney Scott Carlson, Morris County Freeholder Deputy Director Heather Darling, Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, Mount Arlington Mayor Michael Stanzilis, Assemblyman Christopher P. DePhillips, Councilman Pompton Lakes Councilman Ekamon Venin and Joseph Bock, Esq.
MORRIS COUNTY — The law offices of Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman, LLP opened its second North Jersey office at 90 East Halsey Road, Parsippany, this year and held it first Morris County Open House Holiday Party, which was very well attended.
The firm’s practice focuses on land use law, employment law, personal injury law, business law, as well as local and county governmental law.
In attendance were Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, Jr., Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, Freeholders Tom Mastrangelo, Deborah Smith and Heather Darling, Freeholders Elect John Krickus and Stephen Shaw, as well as a number of local government officials, which included Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano and Parsippany Planning Board attorney Scott Carlson.
The firm has a long list of accolades and successes throughout Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Sussex counties, which in just the last two months, included settling one employee rights lawsuit for $1,750,000.00 and one plaintiff’s personal injury lawsuit for $2,300,000.00
Mark Semeraro said, “we look forward to being a part of and serving the Morris County community.”
Joseph Bock, Esq., Lisa Ciavarella, Mark J. Semeraro, Esq., Scott Fahrney, Esq, and Rose Brescia, and John Visconi, Esq.
2019 Hall of Fame Inductees: George Castellitto, Patrick Foley, Doug Gabel, Jim Maguire, and Ralph Tillinghast
HANOVER — Over 450 people gathered to honor our 2018 Eagle Scout Class and our 2019 Eagle Scout Hall of Fame Inductees at the Boy Scouts of America 2019 Eagle Scout Recognition & Reunion Dinner at the Hanover Manor on Friday, January 4. Congratulations to our 404 Patriots’ Path Council Eagle Scouts who achieved the rank in 2018 and to our 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees: George Castellitto, Patrick Foley, Doug Gabel, Jim Maguire, and Ralph Tillinghast, who continue to give back to the Scouting program.
Other highlights from the evening included: celebrating and highlighting Eagle Scouts from the past 20 years; our keynote speaker, Greg Johnson, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, National Boy Scouts of America; check presentation to the ESAA Scholarship Recipient, Stephen Rozek; and honoring our “most experienced” Eagle Scouts in the room who achieved the rank in 1952!
Thank you to the sponsors, supporters, and event staff that made the event a huge success for our Eagles! It was a wonderful celebration to kick-off 2019.
The Nature Nest approach is founded on the believe that children benefit most from a calm and simple environment where they are immersed in the wonders of life and experience the world through music and movement, art, nature, cooking, play, handwork, helping and stories.
