MORRIS COUNTY —  A total of 11,406 students enrolled during the 2019 spring term at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean’s List with an academic record of 3.5 or above or the President’s List with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).

The UA Dean’s and President’s lists recognize full-time undergraduate students. The lists do not apply to graduate students or to undergraduate students who take less than a full course load.

Among the students are:

Jessica Caprio of Boonton, President’s List.
Alonza Klopfer of Boonton Twp, Dean’s List.
Jordan Stites of Florham Park, Dean’s List.
Lauren Hapanowicz of Morris Plains, Dean’s List.
Mary O’Connell of Morris Plains, President’s List.

The University of Alabama, the state’s oldest and largest public institution of higher education, is a student-centered research university that draws the best and brightest to an academic community committed to providing a premier undergraduate and graduate education. UA is dedicated to achieving excellence in scholarship, collaboration and intellectual engagement; providing public outreach and service to the state of Alabama and the nation; and nurturing a campus environment that fosters collegiality, respect and inclusivity.

MORRIS COUNTY — Forever Home Dog Rescue rescued Pugsley and his siblings from a high kills shelter in NC and they are now living in foster homes in New Jersey. The puppies are about 12-14 weeks old and they were owner surrendered because of the owner’s poor health. The owner told the shelter their mom is AKC Belgian Malinois and the guess is their dad is some type of a mix, maybe lab mix. Pugsley has a shiny black coat with white under his chin and chest. And, he currently weighs 17-18 pounds.

This is what Pugsley’s foster family has to say about him…..”Pugsley is so very sweet! He is affectionate and enjoys cuddling and being around people. Give him a belly rub and he will be very happy puppy! This sweet and calm puppy likes playing with my 2 dogs, playing in the yard and he loves playing with toys! When he wants to be petted, Pugsley will sit patiently and just wait for you to pet him. He is a very smart puppy and he is learning quickly from my dogs.  He sleeps through the night without having accidents and he is doing very good with house training.  Pugsley is laid back, sweet and cuddly!”

We are sure when you meet Pugsley, you will fall in love!!

Please email [email protected] for an adoption application if interested in adopting this sweet pup!  You can see more photos and a video clip of him as well as other adoptable pups by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY —  Businesses that make charitable food donations would be permitted to deduct contributions from their state income taxes under a measure that cleared the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee today. The bill A1914, sponsored by Assemblyman Jay Webber, would mirror the federal income tax deduction for food donations made from business inventory.

“New Jerseyans are some of the most charitable people in the world,” said Webber (Morris). “It’s time the state starts to reward businesses that make the effort to eliminate waste and help feed the hungry. By offering an incentive like a state tax deduction, we hope to reward those who already do good, encourage more donations, and recognize the businesses that selflessly serve our communities.”

More than a dozen states, including neighboring New York and Delaware, already offer some type of a state-level income tax deduction for charitable food donations. Legislation seeking to create a deduction in New Jersey has been introduced every year for over a decade.

“This is an important piece of legislation that needs to get over the finish line,” said Webber.

To be eligible for the deduction, businesses would have to make the donation to an organization that the IRS has determined is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. In addition, the food must fit the federal definition of “apparently wholesome food,” which means it meets all quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Dear Editor:

When you purchase an automobile roadside assistance insurance policy you should have an expectation of being able to use it when needed for towing and repair. At first glance you’re probably thinking… “Those rotten insurance companies, they’re not paying again.” Not so fast! In New Jersey, the bureaucracy has created all sorts of regulations that subvert your best efforts of protecting your family.

As recently as six months ago, I was driving my son’s car on the Palisades Parkway and I got a flat tire. Initially, I tried to change the tire on my own, unfortunately without success. My next course of action was to call my insurance company’s Roadside Assistance for help. I was relieved to have made contact with the customer service call center, but then a problem manifested itself: the operator asked me where I was located. “I’m on Exit 4 on the Palisades Parkway,” I replied.

The next words from the representative made my blood boil. “I’m so sorry Mr. Auth. We are not permitted to send our response team to the Palisades Parkway.” Unfortunately, exclusive contracts are granted to towing services for certain roadways in New Jersey, and the companies charge very exclusive prices – north of $300 on any given call.

Despite my best efforts to “Be Prepared,” the Boy Scout in me was not rewarded that day. That’s why when I was back in Trenton, I introduced Assembly Bill A5310, which requires certain toll road operators and bi-state agencies to allow drivers to choose their own towing company if it’s been purchased on an insurance policy.

My efforts to prepare ahead and to pay a little extra for the comfort of knowing that my wife, my son, and even my dog Pepe, are not going to be stranded and ultimately taken advantage of, should not be thwarted by a towing company. It is time for us all to be free from unwarranted regulations and to benefit from the services afforded by a competitive market place.

Assemblyman Robert J. Auth

BOONTON — The Land Conservancy of New Jersey announced it has dedicated its West Brook Preserve in West Milford for Board Chair Nancy Conger.

The Land Conservancy President David Epstein explained that “Preserving this remarkable property was a struggle that we were losing until Nancy got involved to lead the effort. She is our hero and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

The 198-acre Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve was established in 2017 to preserve the headwaters of the West Brook, a major source of clean water for the Wanaque Reservoir where 2 million New Jersey residents get their drinking water.

The Land Conservancy is about to embark upon a major restoration project for a portion of the brook that was diverted into a ditch. The plan involves plugging the ditch and removing a small dam and five culverts to restore water back into the original stream bed and re-flood the wetlands.

The plan will provide more water for the reservoir during dry times of year, reduce erosion, remove invasive plant species, and rehabilitate the habitat of the imperiled eastern brook trout. “I have been delighted to help The Land Conservancy permanently preserve the West Brook,” Nancy said. “Working with this amazing organization has been a thrill as they have continued to preserve the lands that I love.” Nancy began her career on Wall Street as a stockbroker and went on to found the investment firm Red Hook Management with her husband Bill and serve as its President. Nancy served as Board Chair for Wheaton College and recently received an honorary doctorate for her philanthropic work supporting Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. Nancy has been a Land Conservancy supporter for more than two decades. She was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2013, served as Chair of the Governance Committee, and is currently the Chair of the Board.

“Nancy’s passion for The Land Conservancy and its critical work has inspired me and so many of our Trustees and supporters to do more to help preserve New Jersey’s special places,” said Board Vice Chair Andy Dietz. “It is a great honor for me to work with her.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Small businesses can escape costly fines for first-time filing mistakes under legislation that passed the Assembly today. Sponsored by Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Anthony Bucco, the bill (A1677) suspends fines for inconsequential paperwork procedure violations.

“The state has an unfriendly business environment, and small employers are struggling every day to survive,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “There’s no need to clobber them with fines for technical errors that don’t harm anyone. New Jersey should focus on growing the economy, not punishing job creators for honest mistakes.”

Fines will not be suspended if the violation harms the general public; interferes with the detection of criminal activity; impacts the collection of a tax, debt or revenue; or if it is not corrected within six months.

“The cost of doing business in New Jersey is high enough,” said Bucco (R-Morris). “The last thing small businesses need is to be burdened with penalties for petty errors. Eliminating another burdensome regulation is always a positive step.”

Small businesses employ more than 1.7 million people in New Jersey.

MORRIS COUNTY — Legislation advanced Monday by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee clarifies a 2017 law that has been used to justify new homeowner association fees on some property owners.

Assemblyman Hal Wirths sponsors the bill (A5043) addressing misinterpretations of the law by some community associations to assess new fees on owners. Sen. Steve Oroho sponsors a version of the bill (S3661) that passed the Senate last week.

“This bill protects people from surprise assessments and compulsory fees,” said Wirths (R-Sussex). “You can’t change the rules in the middle of the game.”

Under the measure, property owners in an association which did not have authority to compel payment of assessments prior to July 13, 2017 are not bound by fees.

The so-called Radburn law strengthened voting rights in common communities, and established election participation protections for residents of planned real estate developments. After it went into effect in 2017, advisors to lake associations reasoned they now had the right to require all owners in developments to pay yearly assessments.

Planned real estate developments, through master deeds, oblige owners to pay for maintenance and support of common areas. By clarifying the original intent of Chapter 106, any disagreements about paying of dues would be settled as they have been previously.

“Steve, Hal and I believe it is regrettable that some homeowners and lake associations are being led to believe that A5043 is somehow taking something away from their associations because one cannot take away something that was never given,” stated Assemblyman Parker Space, a supporter of the measure.

MORRIS COUNTY — As a steady stream of people picked up free Narcan at Rite Aid Pharmacy in Morristown on Tuesday, staff of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One vehicle were ready to train them on administering the life-reviving antidote that reverses an opioid overdose.

Navigating Hope, a Morris County-run outreach vehicle like Hope One that brings social services guidance and referrals directly to individuals, worked alongside the Hope One staff to answer any questions posed by passersby and patrons leaving Rite Aid with their free Naloxone, which is known by the brand name Narcan.

As of 2:00 p.m. on June 18, Rite Aid had distributed 105 of 150 doses of Narcan it received from the New Jersey Department of Human Services as part of a campaign to slow the tide of opioid overdose deaths and bring attention to the health crisis. Of dozens of participating pharmacies across the state, three pharmacies in Morris County took part in the giveaway, including Rite Aid in Morristown, Walgreens in Dover and Walmart in Flanders.

And, as of 2:00 p.m., Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Kelly LaBar, who works aboard Hope One, had trained 14 people on how to correctly administer the nasal spray Narcan to temporarily reverse an overdose.

Many of the people who collected a dose under the no-questions-asked program already are familiar with Narcan because of their jobs as law enforcement officers, paramedics or substance use counselors. But they wanted a dose on hand in case they encounter a person in the throes of an overdose.

Audrey Ma, a mother of three who works in a school district, said she is aware of the dangers of opioid addiction and in particular wants her oldest child to learn about the opioid and heroin crisis.

“You never know when anyone might have an issue. This is reality and like the Girl Scout motto: Be prepared,” Mrs. Ma said after she was trained on Narcan use.

“It’s a fine program. I got some in case a client comes in and needs it,” said Substance Use Counselor Charles R. Berman.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon and Bureau of Law Enforcement Undersheriff Mark Spitzer stopped by the Hope One tent and met Rite Aid Pharmacist Susan Novembre, who was overseeing the Narcan distribution Tuesday morning. Ms. Novembre said the cost for a dose of Narcan for an uninsured person is about $150.

“The statewide free distribution of Naloxone is a tremendous, proactive measure that recognizes the dire toll that opioid addiction is taking on individuals and families,” Sheriff Gannon said.

Hope One, launched on April 3, 2017, brings Narcan training and kits, substance use and mental health services, directly into communities. As of June 17, 2019, Hope One had made contact with 7,299 people, trained 1,770 people in the use of Narcan, arranged for substance use treatment services for 133 people, and mental health treatment services for 98 people.

Navigating Hope, a collaboration between the Morris County Office of Temporary Service and the non-profit Family Promise of Morris County, began its journey around Morris County about one month ago. Its staff helps connect people who are homeless, in need of Food Stamps, Medicaid, General Assistance, Veterans Services or other social programs with the services they need.

On Tuesday, Navigating Hope staff handed out literature about services and assisted for several hours a homeless man living in Morristown.

For more information on the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One program click here.