HANOVER — On Sunday, August 18, Hanover Township Sergeant Anthony Vitanza arrested Mr. Samuel Piccola, 34, Parsippany, and Ms. Leah Klotzke, 30, residing at the America’s Best Value Inn for Disorderly behavior and Possession of CDS.
Sgt. Vitanza along with several Hanover officer’s, responded to the America Best Value Inn for a possible fight in the parking lot.
Upon arrival, witness provided a detailed description of the what transpired and advised that Mr. Piccola was threatening violence against several occupants of the hotel. A brief investigation resulted in Mr. Piccola and Ms. Klotzke being arrested and transported to Hanover Township Police Headquarters for processing.
Mr. Piccola was charged with Disorderly conduct and was released. Ms. Klotzke was charged with Possession of CDs and Drug paraphernalia.
She was transported to the county jail pending her court date.
BOONTON — The Town of Boonton Republican Committee has selected Natalie Pisarcik to serve as its nominee in the November 5, 2019 Special Election for Ward 2 Alderman. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:16-5(b), a vacancy occurred when incumbent Alderman Bobby Tullock resigned due to relocation out of Ward 2.
Pisarcik, 42, is a lifelong resident of the Town of Boonton and a Boonton High School Alum. She works as an Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator for the Rockaway Valley Sewerage Authority. Pisarcik has volunteered in Town for years, including serving seventeen years with the Parks and Recreation Committee and twelve years with the Boonton Fire Department. Pisarcik currently serves as President of the Maxfield Hose & Engine Co. #1 and is a Lifetime Member of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Relief Association.
Boonton Republican Chairman and Ward 3 Alderman Candidate Joe Bock stated, “I am thrilled that Natalie Pisarcik has accepted our party nomination to run for Second Ward Alderman. For decades, Natalie has been a dedicated volunteer in Town. Additionally, Natalie’s professional background in environmental science and consulting will make her a tremendous asset to the Board of Aldermen and help us solve the Town’s most challenging issues regarding environmental regulations and development.”
Sheriff James Gannon stated, “Throughout her entire adult life, Natalie has been a tireless volunteer in Town, providing her leadership skills and dedication to many of our most important organizations, including the Boonton Fire Department and the Boonton Parks and Recreation Committee. Natalie’s personal relationships and her knowledge of Boonton will make her a tremendous Alderman.”
The Special Election for Ward 2 Alderman will occur on the General Election Day, Tuesday November 5, 2019.
Katelyn Tiernan, Community Development Manager, American Cancer Society
Every month, the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce honors one of its own by selecting a Member of the Month. Members are selected for a variety of reasons. Some are businesses celebrating special anniversaries. Others are honored for long-time service to the community or their great charitable work. And still others are simply deserving of special recognition for being an active member of our ever-growing Chamber family. If you or someone you know is a prime candidate for Chamber Member of the Month, please fill out a nomination form available by clicking here, or contact Board Member Alan S. Golub, Esq. via e-mail at [email protected].
PACC Member of the Month – August 2019
American Cancer Society, Inc. | Northeast Region
7 Ridgedale Avenue, Suite 103
Cedar Knolls, NJ
Chamber Contact: Katelyn Tiernan, Senior Community Development Manager
(973) 285-8040 [email protected] www.cancer.org
If you’ve ever come to a PACC Juice Up Your Morning networking event, you’ve probably met Katelyn Tiernan. Even though her organization, the American Cancer Society, only joined the PACC in early 2019, Katelyn has made it to nearly all of our monthly Juice Up meetings, usually with another one of her colleagues in tow. Why the need for such a dedicated presence?
Simply put, for the past several years, Katelyn has been laser-focused on getting the word out about the free programs and services made available to cancer patients and their families by the American Cancer Society, including but not limited to:
The Road to Recovery program, which provides cancer patients with free transportation to and from their treatment appointments, is but one example of the American Cancer Society’s hands-on approach to providing solutions, easing burdens, and making difficult things easier for cancer patients and their families.
Hope Lodge & Hotel Partners – Hope Lodge is the organization’s own brand of 30 lodges around the country. Each Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. Hope Lodge provides a nurturing, home-like environment where guests can retreat to private rooms or connect with others. Every Hope Lodge also offers a variety of resources and information about cancer and how best to fight the disease. And for those who must travel to cities that don’t have a Hope Lodge, the American Cancer Society has partnered with hotel chains around the country to provide free or discounted accommodations.
The National Cancer Information Center offers help by connecting patients, families, and friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis to caring and expertly trained staff to answer questions, identify resources, offer health insurance assistance, and provide a listening ear and guidance. The service can be reached by phone at 1-800-227-2345, or live chat via the cancer.org website.
Since 1946 the American Cancer Society has funded more than $4.8 billion in cancer research. As of August 1, 2019, the American Cancer Society is funding 67 million dollars in just breast cancer research grants, shared among over 160 different breast cancer research projects.
As a Senior Community Development Manager, Katelyn is not only responsible for getting the word out to the local community about these and other resources, but she also oversees the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Parsippany, NJ. Making Strides is the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation and unites more than 1.2 million passionate participants around the country in a 3-to-5-mile, non-competitive walk to honor those touched by the disease and raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.
This year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Parsippany Walk will be held on October 20th at 4 Century Drive in Parsippany. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., the opening ceremonies commence at 8:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 10:00 a.m.
Last year, the Parsippany walk hosted over 10,000 community members and raised over $711,000! Sadly, there is always more work to do. This year, over 271,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 42,0000 will die due to breast cancer. That is why Katelyn is working so hard to make this year’s Making Strides walk the biggest and most successful walk yet!
To help make that happen, Katelyn and the American Cancer Society are asking all PACC members to consider participating in this year’s event. There are many ways to help, from becoming a sponsor, to volunteering to help at the event, to leading your own fundraising team to walk the event, any and all help is very much needed and appreciated.
To register to participate in the event, or to just learn more about it, click here or contact Katelyn directly via e-mail at [email protected]
For their amazing and tireless efforts on behalf of cancer patients and their caregivers, families, and friends, the American Cancer Society is our August 2019 PACC Member of the Month!
Freeholder Heather Darling, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Hanover Committee Chairperson Barbara Freda, Board Member Alan Golub, Katlyn, President Robert Peluso and Executive Board Member Frank Cahill
Member of the Month’s Q&A of the Month
Provided by Katelyn Tiernan, American Cancer Society, Inc. | Northeast Region
Q: As someone who has dedicated her career to promoting awareness and fundraising for an important cause, what is the best marketing advice you can give to someone just starting out?
A: Be your most authentic self. Engage and listen. It’s a conversation, and maybe a long-term one during which you are hopefully building a relationship. If you are too “sales-y” right off the bat, it can be a big turn off, especially in large networking groups where everyone is hoping to make valuable business connections. Sure, everyone is there for the same reason – but that’s all the more reason to dial it back a little and get to know people with a genuine, sincere connection. In my experience, those connections have served me far better than those born of a hard, aggressive sell.
Owners Brian and Laura Sakevich and Mountain Lakes Mayor Mayor Lauren Barnett at the ground breaking ceremony of Lightbridge Academy
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Mountain Lakes Lightbridge Academy Daycare at 100 Route 46 officially broke ground and is currently slated to open in early fall.
Laura and Brian Sakevich
The new center is owned by Laura and Brian Sakevich. Having raised two Lightbridge graduates themselves, Lauren and Brian started looking for a new business venture for the next phase of their life. As busy working parents, they experienced the value that the Lightbridge Academy brand provided. It allowed them the freedom to pursue their careers while also having peace of mind knowing their children were in good hands. After learning about the franchise opportunity, it seemed like a great next step. Now Laura is leaving the financial sector to bring this innovative child care solution to the working parents surrounding Mountain Lakes. For them, investing in a family-run business with core values and a high level of quality standards felt like the best of both worlds.
Brian said “Lightbridge Academy is a family company. Every parent has their own personal preferences of what is a fit for their family, they may feel at home at a mom-and-pop daycare or want more structure in a use a more corporate child care. With Lightbridge Academy, you get both the home-away-from-home feel along with quality standards and curriculum. You get a family feel managed as a professional, well-run business. That was really nice because I feel like it’s the best of both worlds. That’s going to make us successful and give us the best tools to serve our community. The franchise provides quality standards and rigor of a corporate center with the familiarity of a smaller business. It is appealing as a parent and franchisee.”
“I have a marketing degree from Fordham and have been working in the financial industry and the sales sector. I currently work at a hedge fund and am looking to transition out to work closer to home and focus my efforts on a more meaningful career. As a parent, Lightbridge allowed me to work through those early childhood years with peace of mind that my children were in a safe and nurturing environment where they were learning, active and having fun somewhere they were excited to be,” said Laura.
“Lightbridge Academy has a 501c3 non-profit foundation that is an integral part of how we give back to the community. Instead of focusing on a single cause, our foundation provides a wide range of services to children and families within our Circle of Care. We will be actively fundraising in order to support the Lightbridge Foundation. It will enable us to give back to the Mountain Lakes community with direct grants, scholarships for high school students and volunteering where we are needed. We’re also members of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and would like to work closely with them to do community outreach and help in any way we can,” said Brian.
Lightbridge Academy creates genuine, caring relationships with every family member, ensuring the educational success and well-being of each child.
Lightbridge Academy was built on a foundation of family values. It is a place where parents, children, staff members, as well as the community and franchise owners come together as a family to create a trusted Circle of Care.
Brian and Laura SakevichCenter Director Elizabeth Baumel
Ninety nine years ago today the 19th amendment was ratified and adopted after Tennessee became the 36th state to vote in favor of the amendment, the high point of a decade’s long struggle in this great nation, and a millennia long fight across the world.
Ninety nine years ago today, the right to vote was restored to women in this county, bringing with it promise and opportunity to succeed and stand as the equals we are. The suffragists had won; no more second class citizens, but voters all. I am proud to say that New Jersey’s own Alice Paul was one of the leaders who made it happen, organizing the Silent Sentinels, a continuous protest for over two years outside the gates of the White House. Not a single word was heard from these women who had had their voices silenced, who were abused at the hands of their fellow citizens and the government sworn to protect them.
Alice and her friends were arrested and held in squalid conditions for weeks, they were held in solitary, force fed, and beaten by over forty guards. Their heads were smashed against walls, and when they were done, chained them up standing in their cells overnight, all for the crime of wanting the vote, for demanding their rights as American citizens.
Their efforts and sacrifices won them, and all women today, victory in the end. We won the vote, but the story for New Jersey doesn’t end there. I am proud to say that just one year later Margaret Laird and Jennie Van Ness became the first two women elected the New Jersey State Assembly as Republicans. Mary Norton beat my party here in New Jersey to the House four years later, becoming the first female democrat elected there (our friends in Montana have the honor of electing the first woman to any federal office with Jeannette Rankin, (R).
Ninety Nine years of the vote, and over one hundred and thirty different representatives during that time period; but only seven women. Rep. Norton (D), Rep. Florence Dwyer (R), Helen Meyner (D), Rep. Millicent Fenwick (R), Rep. Marge Roukema (R), and current Reps. Bonnie Coleman (D) and Mikie Sherrill (D).
I am honored to stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before me, to stand in the shade of the trees they planted but they had only just begun to see. It is my duty and pleasure to follow in their example. When I was elected Freeholder it marked the first time the board had more women than men serving on it. On November 5th, if the good people of Morris County see fit to elect me to the office, I will be the first woman to hold the office of Surrogate in Morris County.
Ninety Nine years from today I can only hope that our daughters are in Town Halls and in the boardroom of business across the county in numbers far greater than seven for every one hundred and thirty. Not because it was given to them, but because they stood on our shoulders and earned those positions for themselves, and because today we continue building the foundation for their success in the way only this great country can.
God Bless those early Suffragists for making it possible for me, and women throughout the Nation to not only vote but to stand as your representatives today, and God Bless.
Heather J. Darling
Deputy Director of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders
and Candidate for Morris County Surrogate
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) voted against flawed vote-by-mail legislation today saying the measure fails to address the significant issue of voter fraud.
“The vote-by-mail expansion that we were here to fix was flawed for more reasons than those recently identified by the Secretary of State,” said Pennacchio. “Voter fraud is very real in New Jersey, and much of that fraud centers on ballots not cast in a polling place. This legislation does nothing to prevent illegal aliens from voting or to stop campaign operatives from illegally registering people, collecting ballots, and rigging elections.”
Pennacchio offered amendments to the legislation (S-4069) on the Senate floor that would increase the penalties for certain crimes involving voting and voting processes.
Pennacchio’s amendment would have raised those to crimes of the second degree with significantly increased penalties.
“Since the vote-by-mail expansion was enacted, we’ve seen a number of cases of voter fraud move through our state’s judicial system,” said Pennacchio. “It’s clear that current penalties are not an effective deterrent. We need to make the crime of subverting our elections serious enough that nobody will want to risk the penalties for breaking the law.”
Democrats immediately tabled his amendment.
“It’s inexplicable that the Democratic majority would block an effort to protect the integrity of elections in New Jersey,” added Pennacchio. “Until we act to secure our elections, we’ll continue to be at increased risk of voter fraud.”
BOONTON — Not sure if your pet is microchipped? Your pet in need of a PAWdicure? Looking to adopt?
Join NorthStar Pet Rescue Chip-N-Clip Fundraiser + Adoption Day on Sunday, September 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Park View Veterinary Hospital, 1145 Main Street, Boonton.
The event will consist of complimentary microchip scans; $15.00 microchipping by Dr. Malathy Rao, MS, VMD; $15.00 nail clipping by 4 The Paws Grooming; $25.00 for the Chip-N-Clip combo with 100% of the proceeds being donated to NorthStar Pet Rescue.
There will also have some of our adorable adoptables on paw to meet you.
Plus try your luck in their 2019 Super 50/50 Raffle! Tickets are $10.00 each. Live drawing is September 29 at the NSPR Tent at Boonton Day, winner need not be present to win. Last years winner received $10,000.00.
MORRIS COUNTY — Veterans who served in the National Guard are finally able to use the guard’s discharge form to obtain a county veterans ID card after legislation was signed by the governor.
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce
Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce sponsored the bill (S2538/A3455) making it easier for retired Guard members to access county military benefits. It passed the Assembly in June after passing the Senate in July 2018.
“It should be an easy process for these brave men and women to obtain a veterans identification card or the veterans designation on their license,” said Kean (R-Monmouth). “This law ensures veterans of the National Guard who have NGB-22 forms are eligible for the benefits they earned.”
According to the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, there are more than 8,300 Army and Air guardsmen in New Jersey.
“New Jersey takes great pride in the programs and services available to our veterans,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Former members of the guard should be able to take advantage of them, too. This makes it easier for them to get the benefits they need.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy visited Middlesex County College, alongside Speaker Craig Coughlin, Executive Director David Socolow of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), and Deputy Secretary Diana Gonzalez of the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), to encourage students to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application for New Jersey DREAMers by September 15 in order to be eligible for a Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG).
To receive free tuition through CCOG starting in the fall 2019 semester, all students planning to attend a New Jersey county college must meet the September 15 deadline to complete either FAFSA or the Alternative Application for New Jersey DREAMers and respond to all financial aid questions from HESAA or the college they are attending. Students with adjusted gross incomes between $0 and $65,000 may qualify to attend any of New Jersey’s 18 county colleges tuition-free during the upcoming academic year. Qualifying county college students who enroll in at least six credits per semester during the fall of 2019 and/or the spring of 2020 will be eligible for Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) awards funded by the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act signed by Governor Murphy.
CCOG scholarships will fill in remaining gaps to cover tuition and approved educational fees after accounting for all other grant and scholarship aid for which the students are eligible. Students who have already completed a financial aid application for academic year 2019-2020 will be considered automatically for CCOG eligibility.
Everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue his or her dreams whether you are a recent high school graduate or an older student changing your career, said Murphy. Our community colleges play a critical role in helping our students build the skill sets they need to meet the demands of a growing and diverse 21st-century economy. CCOG grants provides a pathway to success for both our students and our state as a whole.
“Touring Middlesex County college today was a great opportunity to highlight the efforts of our 2-year college institutions throughout the state,” said Speaker Coughlin. “New Jersey has some of the premier institutions of higher education in the country. We are preparing future generations to compete in an ever evolving workforce and achieve their career goals. Helping families and students decrease the potential for student debt after college is a priority. Encouraging everyone to fill out a FAFSA Application is essential to keeping college costs down for New Jersey residents.”
Every New Jerseyan, regardless of life circumstances, should have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality credential that prepares them for life after college. Expanding the Community College Opportunity Grant brings our state one step closer to achieving this vision by enabling us to serve more of New Jersey’s community college students, said Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis.
During my spring graduation tour of New Jersey’s colleges, I heard over and over from students for whom free tuition made it possible for them to afford college. I’m excited we are able to continue and expand this fantastic opportunity.
We are delighted to expand this vital program that will help more county college students succeed,said David Socolow, Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Because CCOG is designed as a last-dollar scholarship, participating students must first apply for all other federal, state, and institutional financial aid grants. As we approach the crucial September 15 application deadline, HESAA is working with county colleges across the state to reach students and help them complete the financial aid forms they need to qualify for free tuition and approved educational fees.
Over 300 Middlesex County College students participated in the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program in the spring 2019 semester, including many who would not have been able to attend if not for CCOG, said Mark McCormick, President of Middlesex County College. “I believe that CCOG is an investment in our students as they earn an associate degree or industry credential that leads to a career with family-supporting wages.”
For detailed information on program parameters and eligibility criteria click here.
Theresa O’Keefe (Senior Vice President, Blue Foundry Bank) hands Father Michael Kreder (Pastor, Church of Saint Mary) a check for $179,819.99 representing the total amount of donations the church has earned through the bank’s Community Alliance Program (CAP) since they enrolled in 2008
MORRIS COUNTY — Blue Foundry Bank, one of northern New Jersey’s largest community banks and providers of financial services for more than 80 years, announced a 2019 Q2 payout of $70,132 to 140 local, New Jersey organizations enrolled in its Community Alliance Program (CAP).
The philanthropic program offers individuals and businesses a cost-free way to give back to their favorite regional non-profits, simply by holding an account atBlue Foundry Bank and designating it to an enrolled CAP organization. The In the 13-year existence of this program, the innovative bank has awarded a remarkable $3.8 million.
“Hundreds of organizations have been able to continue their meaningful work thanks to donations they have received through our Community Alliance Program,” said Debra Cannariato, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Blue Foundry Bank. “Giving back to organizations our account holders feel passionate about has always been a hallmark of our CAP program and we will continue to champion our customers, and our core values, through this effort.
About Blue Foundry Bank: Founded as Boiling Springs Savings Bank in 1939 and headquartered in Rutherford, New Jersey, Blue Foundry Bank is a new kind of bank offering New Jersey full service, crafted banking. Its deposits are insured by the FDIC. With 17 branches throughout Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties, Blue Foundry is one of the area’s largest savings banks designed specifically for its people, the movers and shakers. Reflecting its deep roots within New Jersey, and efforts to continue to move the community forward, the bank became Blue Foundry Bank on July 1, 2019.
To learn more about Blue Foundry Bank visit BlueFoundryBank.com or call (201) 939-5000.
Dear Editor:
