MORRIS COUNTY — Kevin Hasenbein, an intern for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, had a memorable weekend and the medal to prove it.
Kevin, who started his internship with the Sheriff’s Office on February 4, participated over the weekend in a Special Olympics Unified Track and Field event, for which he ran the 100-meter race and threw the shot put.
Kevin proudly wore his medal to the Sheriff’s Office on Monday. Great work.
Kevin, in 2018, obtained his Morristown High School diploma after completing his graduation requirements at a school in Chatham.
He returned to Morristown High School in the fall to participate in its Colonial Learning Independence for Employment program, known as the Colonial L.I.F.E. program, which assists 18 to 21-year-old individuals in learning basic employment skills.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township will be hosting two very exciting events that will offer an action packed filled day for area residents, on Saturday, June 8.
Start the day off at Whippany Park High School as the Hanover Township Education hosts it’s 5th Annual Hanover’s Run for Health. The 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. on Whippany Road, there is also a one mile fun walk for the less competitive.
This years’ corporate sponsor includes Wegmans and Barclays Capital. Jersey Bound will once again offer the entertainment and 24 Hour Fitness will lead the warm-up. Last year there were over 600 registrations and this years’ organizers confirm that the registrations are right up there again. Medals will be offered in every five year age group and trophies will be awarded to top male and female finishers. Each participant will receive a drawstring bag that will include community offers and information.
Over 50 sponsors have contributed to this event and will definitely be an event not to be missed. It’s not too late to participate, click here to sign up.
In the afternoon, The Hanover Rotary Club will be hosting their annual Duck Race. Dozens of ducks will be swimming in the Malapardis Pond located on Malapardis Road, Cedar Knolls. The lucky ducks will have many local offers and prizes assigned to them. You won’t want to miss out on this popular event.
They start the fun at 1:00 p.m. with Flo the Clown, Horse & Buggy Rides, Free Food for children and many more fun activities. Duck launch starts at 3:00 p.m.
Mr. Ducky is traveling around Hanover Township spreading the word about this event and we’ll keep you posted with pictures and videos.
I am John Barbarula, a successful business owner and tenacious attorney and I’m asking for your vote for NJ State Assembly for district 25.
Why should you vote for me over anyone else listed under my name on the ballot? Because I am the one person who will work tirelessly, 24/7 for YOU, the taxpayers of this great state and constituents of District 25.
I am a fighter. By profession and by character. I fight for what’s right and believe that what Phil Murphy and the current Trenton legislators are doing, is completely wrong.
Unlike my opponents I am not seeking this office for personal gain.
I seek this seat to fulfill my passion and commitment to public service. Here is my background for your information:
I am a third generation New Jersian and a 25 year resident of the 25th District.
By profession, I am an attorney since 1977, owning my own office in Butler, New Jersey.
I have been a Special County Counsel for 21 years.
I’ve been married for 35 years to Joan (Carton) Barbarula and have two grown children, Melanie and Michael.
I am the right person at the right time for this Assembly seat.
I have for 40 years supported Republicans from mayors to senators in their campaigns and office because I believe New Jersey is best represented by Republicans and with the right effort, we can get our great state back on track to being financially solvent. We need to create a quality of life that is affordable for our families so that our children and grandchildren can make their life here and not move away.
Through my practice I have appeared before almost all of New Jersey’s boards, agencies and departments.
I have worked with Democrats, Republicans and independent voters in numerous areas in my business.
When I go to Trenton I will look to making New Jersey livable again by taking the following steps:
Conduct comprehensive reviews of the numerous agencies and departments, with an eye towards illation or merger
Review rules and regulations for current relevance and duplications
Introduce a 2.5% budget wide spending cut
Cast ‘NO’ votes on all new proposed taxes
Move to remove New Jersey from sanctuary status
I ask for your vote on Tuesday, June 4 for NJ State Assembly. I am John Barbarula and I give you my word, that you will be happy and proud that you did.
FLORHAM PARK — Jacob Rothschild was honored at Union College’s annual Prize Day celebration.
Students were honored for achievement in academics, research, service and governance. Rothschild, a member of the Class of 2019, was honored with the General Electric Energy Steinmetz Award, to a senior in mechanical engineering who completes the best senior project.
Union College, founded in 1795 as the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, offers programs in the liberal arts and engineering to 2,100 undergraduates of high academic promise and strong personal motivation.
Union, with its long history of blending disciplines, is a leader in educating students to be engaged, innovative and ethical contributors to an increasingly diverse, global and technologically complex society.
MORRIS COUNTY — On May 26, students from Morris Focus area earned degrees at Wesleyan University. They include:
Erin Garinger of Boonton earned a BA degree in Psychology. Garinger previously attended Newark Academy.
Alexander Kotsen of Mountain Lakes earned a BA degree in Economics and Sociology. Kotsen previously attended Mountain Lakes High School.
Wesleyan University is a private, non-sectarian liberal arts university in Middletown, Conn. Founded in 1831, Wesleyan offers its 3,000 undergraduates and 200 graduate students a demanding educational environment characterized by boldness, rigor and practical idealism. At Wesleyan, distinguished scholar-teachers work closely with students in more than 45 fields of study.
The university seeks to build a diverse, energetic community of students, faculty and staff who think critically and creatively and value independence of mind and the generosity of spirit.
Located two hours from both New York and Boston, the campus overlooks downtown Middletown and the Connecticut River. For more information, visit www.wesleyan.edu.
Chick-Fil-A will be officially open on Thursday, June 13
MORRIS PLAINS — The long wait is finally over. Chick-Fil-A will open its doors to the public on Thursday, June 13 at 6:30 a.m. The new restaurant is located at 1711 Route 10 East, Briarcliff Commons Shopping Center, Morris Plains.
The new restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.
The new restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.
Chick-Fil-A has selected Drew Blind as the local franchise owner of the chain’s Morris Plains restaurant and they are hiring of up to 125 new Team Members.
Drew, 34, grew up in East Hanover and currently resides in Morris Plains with his wife, Colleen and two daughters. He graduated Hanover Park High School and Lock Haven University. He was the former owner of Chick-Fil-A in the Garden State Plaza.
Blind is excited to return to his hometown where numerous family members reside and where his Chick-Fil-A career began. A Team Member at the chain’s location in Howell, Blind worked at Chick-Fil-A as a teen and during breaks while attending college at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
After graduating with a degree in business management, Blind and his wife, Colleen, moved to South Carolina where he worked on the leadership team at a Charleston Chick-Fil-A restaurant until his wife’s career brought them back to Pennsylvania.
A single drive-thru ordering lane will divide into two lanes for ordering to enhance the chain’s award-winning drive-thru service before merging back into a single lane for pickup
Blind knew early on that Chick-Fil-A’s focus of freshly prepared food, genuine hospitality and having a positive impact on the communities it serves matched his entrepreneurial goals. Blind became director of operations at the chain’s location in Nazareth and began his pursuit of owning his own restaurant while also serving on corporate teams helping open new locations around the country. His dream of owning his own restaurant was realized when he was selected to operate Paramus location in 2015.
The new 4,700-square-foot Chick-Fil-A location in Morris Plains will offer indoor seating for 102 and patio seating for 20 as well as a two-story playground for children. The interior will feature the chain’s heritage restaurant interior design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including subway tiles, large windows to let in natural light and a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood. A single drive-thru ordering lane will divide into two lanes for ordering to enhance the chain’s award-winning drive-thru service before merging back into a single lane for pickup.
The interior of Chick-Fil-A
Named one of the “best places to work” by Glassdoor, Chick-Fil-A is known for hiring and retaining talent and offering a supportive workplace with opportunities for leadership development, respect for work-life balance and competitive wages.
Chick-Fil-A Team Members are eligible for the chain’s initiative, Remarkable Futures. In 2019, more than 6,000 Team Members will be awarded with $15.3 million in scholarships, one of the highest unrestricted per employee scholarship investments in the industry. Team Members, who are beginning or continuing their higher education, are awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,500 or $25,000 which can be applied to any area of study at any accredited institution. In addition, Team Members have access to tuition discounts and other educational benefits at more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.
Atlanta-based Chick-Fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-Fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,428 restaurants in 47 states and Washington, D.C. Chick-Fil-A reported more than $10 billion in revenue in 2018, which marks 51 consecutive years of sales growth. A leader in customer service satisfaction, consumers voted Chick-Fil-A, Inc. fourth in Harris Poll’s annual corporate reputation survey, ranking the company fourth out of 100 in 2018. Chick-Fil-A was also recognized for customer experience again in the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings survey, was named “Best Franchise Brand” in 2018 by Airport Revenue News and was named one of the top 100 best places to work by Glassdoor in 2017. Continuing its founder’s legacy of generosity and service, in 2019 Chick-Fil-A’s Remarkable Futures initiative awarded $15.3 million in scholarships to restaurant Team Members nationwide. In 2018 the company’s philanthropic Chick-Fil-A Foundation awarded $1.23 million to 22 not-for-profit organizations across 18 states through the True Inspiration Awards. More information on Chick-Fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com.
Perdue Foods, a Bridgewater, Va. establishment, is recalling approximately 31,703 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of bone material, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.
The fully cooked chicken products were produced on March 21, 2019. The following products are subject to recall:
11.2 oz. plastic trays containing “PERDUE Simply Smart ORGANICS BREADED CHICKEN BREAST TENDERS – GLUTEN FREE” with a “USE BY MAY 20 2019” and UPC bar code of 072745-001437 on the label.
12 oz. plastic trays containing “PERDUE Simply Smart ORGANICS BREADED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS – WHOLE GRAIN” with a “USE BY MAY 20 2019” and UPC bar code of 072745-001642 on the label.
12 oz. plastic trays containing “PERDUE Simply Smart ORGANICS BREADED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS – WHOLE GRAIN” with a “USE BY MAY 20 2019” and UPC bar code of 072745-002656 on the label.
10-lb. bulk boxes of “Chef Quik Breaded Chicken Tenders Boneless Tender Shaped Chicken Breast Patties with Rib Meat” with Case Code 22143 on the label.
10-lb. bulk boxes of “Chef Quik Chicken Breast Strips Strip Shaped Breaded Chicken Breast Patties with Rib Meat” with Case Code 77265 on the label.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. P-369” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered after FSIS and the company received consumer complaints.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website by clicking here.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Veteran Hanover Mayor and Committeeman Ron Francioli is on the ballot for re-election in the Tuesday, June 4 Republican Primary. “The race is uncontested, but the Republican votes are a measure of support for Hanover.”
Mayor Ronald Francioli
Francioli is a veteran Hanover Committeeman and Mayor who has contributed to Hanover Township for over forty years. Hanover Township ranks as one of New Jersey’s Top Towns with lowest taxes and no bonded debt. Finest municipal services and safest community.
As Mayor Francioli serves as Director of Finance & Administration and has chaired the Townships Economic Development Advisory Committee. Francioli is a member of the League of Municipalities, New Jersey Conference of Mayors and named to their hall of Fame.
He is known by his colleagues as a ‘diplomat’ with strong problem solving skills. He is lifetime 4th degree Knight of Columbus and has been twice named as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.
Francioli is the recipient of the 2018 ARC, Distinguished Service Award. He lectures on economic development on the County and State level. He is retired as President & CEO of Francioli, Richartz, Weiman & Fliss, an INC 500 Marketing Communications firm.
Only Town in Morris County with No bonded debt
One of the lowest property taxes in Morris County
Top municipal services / Expansive recreational programs
Top rated public schools & special needs facilities
Award winning Economic Development Advisory Committee
Safe community / Active & expanding Open Space Program
Designed & Created Township Official Hanover Seal
Initiated the Substance Awareness Council in 2003
As Director of Finance; 2 consecutive years of ‘0’ municipal Tax increase.
Worked to developed over 6 Group Homes for Special Needs
Organized the Stoney Brook Farm & Garden
Negotiated to acquire 66 Acres of Rt.24 for Open Space.
Organized Hanover Charity Classic ball game.
Developed Central Park recreational facility
Active member of Hanover’s Board of Health
Promoted Whippanong Library Programs and Funding
Keep Hanover a great affordable place to live, work and play. Vote for Committeeman Ron Francioli on Tuesday, June 4. Column 1, Row 15.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County has again received the top-ranked Triple A bond rating from the nation’s two largest rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., and Standard & Poor’s, which once again lauded the county’s stable management practices and fiscal policies.
The Triple A rating, which has been awarded to the county for a 44th straight year, benefits residents by allowing the county to take advantage of the best possible interest and financing rates, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
“This is terrific news for our taxpayers because it gets the county the best rates on our general obligation bonds, which saves our residents substantial dollars,’’ said Freeholder Heather Darling, who chairs the Freeholder Board’s Budget Subcommittee. “The Triple A rating reflects the value of the county’s strategic planning and budgeting efforts, which have resulted in our long-term stability.’’
S&P, in its analysis of the county, said its top rating for Morris County is based on several factors: the county’s “very strong economy, very strong management, strong budgetary performance, very strong budget flexibility, very strong liquidity, and strong institutional framework.’’
“Extensive, well-integrated management policies and long-term planning have helped Morris County maintain its excellent credit quality, in our view,’’ S&P said in its report.
Moody’s once again touted the county’s history of conservative budgeting, mixed with financially sound initiatives — such as the lease of the Morris View Healthcare Center, designed to improve the financial position of the county, as reasons for the top ranking.
It also praised the county’s sound debt policy, its substantial and diverse tax base and highly dependable revenue streams.
“Management has a history and formal policy of budgeting conservatively and maintaining a healthy level of fund balance … and Moody’s expects the county’s economic tax base and finances to remain stable going forward,’’ according to the latest Moody’s report.
Morris County has had a Triple A rating since 1975. It was the first county government in New Jersey to obtain the prestigious rating and is only the 11th in the nation to achieve it.
The 2019 renewed Triple A ratings were made after a county finance team, comprised of Freeholders, the County Administrator, County Treasurer, and others made presentations to the ratings agencies last month in New York.
Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo
“It is very difficult to achieve a Triple A rating,’’ said Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, a member of the Freeholders’ Budget Subcommittee. “By giving us a Triple A, the rating agencies are signaling that our government and financial practices are excellent, which is a benefit to county taxpayers.’’
“We are proud to continue this tradition of responsible government in Morris County, providing effective services and programs to county residents while being prudent about our spending and debt,’’ said Freeholder Deborah Smith, also a member of the Budget Subcommittee.
A Triple A bond rating, in effect, means the county has exceptional credit worthiness because the county can easily meet its financial commitments. The county can get the lowest interest rates when borrowing because a Triple A rated government entity is viewed in the financial world as having the smallest risk of defaulting on its debt.
Freeholder Heather Darling
That equates to lower borrowing costs, which allows for lower costs to finance capital projects.
Currently, the difference in interest that Morris County would pay on a 10-year Triple A bond is 35 basis points lower than a lower-ranked Single A bond and 10 basis points lower than a Double A bond.
The county’s Triple A rating for an upcoming $32.5 million bond sale will cost county taxpayers about $640,000 less in interest than if the county had a Single A rating and $165,000 less than if the county had a Double A rating.
Morris Plains Mayor Frank Druetzler and Assemblyman Anthony Bucco
MORRIS COUNTY — Legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Anthony Bucco (R-25) to pay tribute to former Morris Plains Mayor and Morris County Freeholder Frank Druetzler for his many years of laudable public service, by ceremoniously renaming a local rail station in his honor, has passed the New Jersey Senate.
“Frank Druetzler’s legacy exemplifies all that makes Morris Plains ‘the Community of Caring,’” said Pennacchio. “From his 15 years as freeholder to his 32 years as mayor, he has dedicated decades of his life to public service. Frank always put people before politics. Renaming the train station in his honor is a fitting tribute.”
Pennacchio and Bucco’s bill, S-3449, would ceremoniously rename the Morris Plains rail station, to designate it as the “Frank J. Druetzler Station – Morris Plains, New Jersey.”
Druetzler, a Morris County native, began his distinguished career in civil service as a member of the Morris Plains Borough Council. In 1986, Druetzler was elected Mayor of Morris Plains and later to the Morris County Freeholder Board.
His achievements include establishing a Memorial Day parade, a local “Family Day,” the town bonfire, and “Uncle Frank’s Fishing Contest.” Under his leadership, Morris Plains opened a Community Center, a borough museum, and erected the Morris Plains September 11, 2001 memorial. As Freeholder, he pushed for and successfully secured the preservation of open space, and built a new county library.
“Mayor Druetzler made the residents of Morris Plains and Morris County his priority at all times,” said Bucco. “He was instrumental in spearheading numerous projects that bettered the local community and New Jersey as a whole. I am proud to support the effort to change the station’s name in honor of Frank. The people of Morris Plains and Morris County are better off because of him.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County has again received the top-ranked Triple A bond rating from the nation’s two largest rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., and Standard & Poor’s, which once again lauded the county’s stable management practices and fiscal policies.
