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Navy Veteran Mikie Sherrill Named to House Armed Services Committee

By
Frank Cahill
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Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill

PARSIPPANY  — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey secured an assignment on the House Armed Service Committee for the 116th Congress. The House Armed Services Committee is responsible for all aspects of congressional oversight of the Department of Defense and authorization of military policy.

“As a former officer in the U.S. Navy, I understand the importance of a strong national defense and our enduring obligations to all the women and men who serve in uniform to secure our freedom. I am honored to join the committee and further their mission,” said Congresswoman Sherrill. “I intend to be an advocate for Picatinny Arsenal which plays a vital role in both our national defense and our local economy, and to address emerging national security threats such as climate change and cybersecurity.”

Located in Morris County, Picatinny Arsenal is a key national defense installation and an economic anchor in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Nearly 6,000 soldiers, federal employees, and contractors live on the base and in the surrounding towns and it contributes $1.3 billion to the economy of North Jersey. Picatinny is home to the Defense Department’s Joint Center of Excellence for Armaments and Munitions.

Doherty Enterprises Applebee’s® Locations Raise Over $238,000 for Toys for Tots

By
Frank Cahill
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EAST HANOVER — Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill + Bar restaurants owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises, a local Applebee’s franchisee with locations in New Jersey, on Long Island and throughout Florida and Georgia, are proud to announce a donation of $238,496.00 to The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and its annual U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. Throughout 2018, Applebee’s locations contributed to the fundraising total by hosting a number of charitable initiatives, including a Christmas in July Barbecue, Breakfast with Santa fundraisers and many more.

Applebees is located at 240 Route 10, East Hanover, in the Hanover Commons Shopping Center.

Doherty Enterprises has been a longstanding partner of Toys for Tots, entering its 20th year of contributions in 2018. Locally, restaurants throughout New Jersey were able to contribute an impressive $114,651.00 to the $238K+ total; restaurants throughout New York on Long Island were able to raise $84,686.00, and restaurants throughout Florida and Georgia were able to provide $39,159.00, raised locally in each restaurant through a variety of fundraising activities. The highest fundraising stores, going above and beyond to smash their charitable goals for Doherty Enterprises’ longest running and largest partnership include Lindenhurst, Shirley, Westbury and Patchogue, New York, Venice, Cape Coral and Port Charlotte, Florida and Tinton Falls and Butler, New Jersey.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our contribution to Toys for Tots this year,” said Tim Doherty, President & Chief Operating Officer, Doherty Enterprises. “We hope Toys for Tots is able to continue their hard work helping children everywhere. What they do is so important and truly betters the lives of our community members nationwide, and we anticipate many more years of successful partnership between Doherty Enterprises and Toys for Tots.”

Over the past 20 years, Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises have raised over $4.6 million to benefit The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Doherty Enterprises is committed to giving back to the communities it serves, and each Doherty Enterprises restaurant stays engaged in its neighborhood through participation in community events, donations, sponsorships and fundraisers to help local organizations grow and flourish.

Since its inception 70 years ago, Toys for Tots has aimed to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joys of Christmas. Funds raised by Applebee’s have helped to further Toys for Tots’ objective to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

Boonton sailor successfully completes tour with Explosive Ordnance Group One

By
Frank Cahill
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Capt. Dean Muriano (center), former commodore, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One (EODGRU1), turns over command by saluting Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, as Capt. Oscar Rojas, commodore, EODRU1, looks on during the EODGRU1 change of command ceremony January 10 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado

BOONTON — Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One (EODGRU1) held a change of command ceremony Thursday, January 10 on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. During the ceremony, Capt. Oscar Rojas relieved Capt. Dean Muriano as the commodore of EODGRU1.

During his speech, Muriano thanked the many people who had assisted him over the course of his tour. “All of the accomplishments that were listed in my award were not about me. It has always been about the men and women we’re sending down range.” said Muriano. “I’m thankful for the privilege to have served as Commodore of EODGRU1.”

Muriano, a native of Boonton, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Muriano’s next assignment will be at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he will serve as the commanding officer of the school house and oversee the education of students from United States military services, partner nations, and other government agencies in high-risk environments to qualify as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians.

Rojas, a native of Dumas, Texas, enlisted in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in June 1990. After graduating from Wayland Baptist University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree, he attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, and commissioned in November 1997. Prior to assuming command, he served as the Director, Joint Special Operations Command, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Cell.

During his speech Rojas thanked his wife and children, the military families that support the EOD community, commodores of EOD groups past and present, the many senior enlisted mentors who have guided him over the years, and the Sailors of EODGRU1.

“You, the “warfighter” are our nation’s greatest weapon system. In my world, nothing is more important than you. It is my job to work for you in order for you to win every time you go into harm’s way.” said Rojas. “I am very proud of my enlisted roots. I have not forgotten that it is Sailors that make the world’s greatest nuclear power Navy successful. By us working together we will create the most lethal, resilient, and mission ready Navy EOD and diving force in the world!”

Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, provided the keynote speech for the change of command ceremony. He said, “Today, we have the opportunity to reflect on the leadership that enabled this command to thrive and operate at the highest levels of performance. Commanding EODGRU1 is a big job and for more than two years, Capt. Muriano has provided direction, mentorship and guidance to the more than 1,200 men and women who serve as part of this team.”

Muriano received command of EODGRU1 in October 2016 and manned, trained, and equipped a 1,200-person force. His Sailors trained and operated in support of Navy, Joint, and multi-national missions within the Northern, Indo-Pacific, Africa, Southern, and Central Commands areas of responsibility.

During his tenure, the Navy EOD and Navy Diver communities operated in support of Navy Special Warfare and Joint Special Operations forces, salvaging damaged aircraft, dewatering and damage repair of U.S. Navy ships following collisions, working with the Defense Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency, and supplying recompression chamber teams in support of carrier deployments to mitigate the risks of physiological episodes, including hypoxia and decompression sickness in aviators.

U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force for countering explosive hazards and conducting expeditionary diving and salvage. EODGRU1 is responsible for manning, training, and equipping seven subordinate units.

Story by Lt. Kara Yingling, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE

Motor Vehicle stops leads to DWI arrest

By
Frank Cahill
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Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

BOONTON TOWNSHIP — Morris County Park Police Officers executed a motor-vehicle stop on Sunday, January 6 for a moving violation in Morristown.

An investigation led to Victoria L. Randle, 49, of Boonton Township, to be charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

She was released with a court date pending.

Editor’s Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Roma Pizzeria celebrates 50th Anniversary

By
Frank Cahill
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Paul and Domenica Dattola Celebrate 50 Years of Business for Roma Pizzeria. The Dattolo Family:  Phil Dattolo, Domenica Dattolo, Paul Dattolo, Enza Dattolo Isgett, and Christine Dattolo

BOONTON — Roma Pizzeria in downtown Boonton celebrated 50 years of business on Sunday, December 16. Hundreds of guests from Boonton and beyond came to congratulate the Dattolo family for their years of success and contributions to downtown Boonton.

Elected Officials in attendance included Senator Tony Bucco, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, Sheriff James Gannon, Mayor Matt DiLauri, Alderman Michael Cardillo and Alderman Bob Tullock.

Senator Bucco presented the Dattlos with a Resolution from the New Jersey Legislature thanking them for their years of service. Assemblyman Bucco shared his memories of eating at Roma’s as a child growing up in Boonton.

Senator Tony Bucco and Assemblyman Anthony Bucco present the Dattolos with a Resolution from the State Legislature acknowledging their 50 years of business. Sheriff James Gannon, Mayor Matt DiLauri, and Alderman Michael Cardillo congratulate the Dattolos

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon discussed how he enjoyed eating at Roma’s when he began his law enforcement career as a Boonton Police Officer.

In December of 1968, Paul and Domenica Dattolo opened Roma Pizzeria & Restaurant for business in Boonton just across the street from the current location on Main Street.  In 1980, they moved the business to the current location at 709 Main Street and have continued to serve the local community the finest Pizza and Italian Cuisine in the area.  Enza Dattolo Isgett is very proud to continue her family business. Regarding the event, Enza said ” I just want to say thank you for all the friends and family that came out to celebrate with us.  We could not have reached this 50 year mark without your support.”
 
Reflecting on years of service to the Boonton community, Paul and Domenica Dattolo said  When we started this in 1968 we couldn’t even imagine that this day would come. Thank you all for the wonderful memories. 
 
Roma Pizzeria has a full selection of Italian cuisine is open seven days a week at its location at 709 Main Street, Boonton. Roma Pizzeria also hosts private parties and serves the Boonton area with its catering services. For more information click here.

Video: Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill Delivers First Floor Speech

By
Frank Cahill
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PARSIPPANY — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill addressed the House of Representatives on Thursday, January 10 in Washington, D.C. for the first time during debate on H.R. 267, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019.

Thank you Mr. Speaker,

I rise in support of H.R.267 and I urge my colleagues to come together to re-open a vital part of our government, and to support this straightforward, bipartisan transportation bill. It is a down payment on reducing our nation-wide, dangerous infrastructure problems.

It provides $650 million for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, the most heavily used passenger rail line in the nation, $2.8 billion for the federal railroad administration, and $800 million in new Transit Infrastructure Grants. This is the least we can do to begin to get our government open and Americans back to work.

Congress is four months behind on paying our transportation bills. We cannot move forward on our larger infrastructure investment needs, like Gateway, without this first step.

Gateway is the most vital infrastructure project in our nation. The century-old Hudson river tunnel connects 200,000 commuters every day from New Jersey and New York. Amtrak uses it to connect 20 train routes across the country. This tunnel is the Achilles heel of the Northeast Rail Corridor and was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy. A collapse of the tunnel could injure thousands and cost our economy an estimated $100 million dollars a day. 

But just as important to my constituents, every delay, every deferred decision on Gateway, means a hard-working parent not making it home to see his or her family.

The proposal for Gateway was submitted to the DOT over a year ago. Secretary Chao needs to put the funds already approved by Congress to work.

New transit, trains, and tunnels are exactly the type of infrastructure projects our country needs to build a strong future.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Subcommittee Chairman for being focused on America’s transportation priorities and allowing the voice of the people of the 11th District of New Jersey to be heard today. 

Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Boonton Woman Gets Three Years for Stealing More than 500K from Mother-in-Law

By
Frank Cahill
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Patricia Layton Piccinno, 50, Boonton

BOONTON — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced that Patricia Layton Piccinno, 50, Boonton, was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison for stealing more than $500,000 from her 80-year-old mother-in-law and her husband, a Bloomfield Police detective.

The state had recommended four years in New Jersey State Prison but the Honorable Judge James W. Donohue, Judge of the Superior Court, instead imposed a three-year sentence.

The Judge also ordered Piccinno to pay restitution to both her husband and mother-in-law. For her mother-in-law, she was ordered to pay back $208,503 and to her husband, she was ordered to pay back $127,315, although the values of the thefts were greater.

The defendant was also required to forfeit the vehicle seized in this case, a 2012 Jeep Liberty.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller, who handled the case, from September 2013 to January 2018, Piccinno stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from her husband of nearly 20 years and her widowed mother-in-law. She stole, hid and stopped mail so her husband would not discover her crimes. She also stole and diverted monies without his knowledge or consent.

She opened a post office box in her mother-in-law’s name and had mail go to her residence instead. Piccinno opened and racked up credit cards in both victims names. She stole large amounts of jewelry from both victims, some of which was recovered at pawn shops.

She withdrew all of her mother-in-law’s monies in her savings and checking accounts, as well as from her insurance and investment accounts, forged checks and stole pension and Social Security checks, Assistant Prosecutor Teller said.

She created fake emails to cover her stories, created fake stationery from a certified public accountant to pretend that the CPA did work for her mother-in-law when in fact he never did. She doctored and altered bank statements, so they would reflect a higher balance, added Assistant Prosecutor Teller. She also altered her mother-in-law’s 1099 tax return.

Piccinno was indicted and charged with multiple counts, including first-degree money laundering, second degree theft, impersonation, forgery and falsifying and tampering with records.

On October 28, 2018, Piccinno pleaded guilty to 10 out of 12 counts of the indictment.
She pleaded guilty to identity theft from her mother-in-law, multiple counts of impersonation of her mother-in-law and her husband, forgery, theft by deception, credit card theft and tampering with records.

“This is a tragic case because of all the damage the defendant caused. Not only did she injure her relatives financially, but she inflicted emotional injury on them,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Teller.

Matt Seidom donating to Interfaith Food Pantry

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — Matt Seidmon, the son of a Interfaith Food Pantry Board Member Bruce Seidmon, has started a new company www.wearyourdish.com. 

Matt was looking for a a way to give back to his community and thought a partnership with the Pantry was a perfect fit. He will be donating $1.00 from every sale back to IFP.

Wear Your Dish is pretty simple… your favorite dish on your favorite sweatshirt. They use deliciously soft, comfortable garments and combine them with simple designs to bring you a sweatshirt you can feel good wearing in more ways than one.

Interfaith Food Pantry is a volunteer organization committed to ending hunger and supporting self-sufficiency.

Arrest for CDS in Wal-Mart Parking Lot

By
Frank Cahill
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HANOVER TOWNSHIP —Sergeant John Schauder arrested Mr. Tyler Gleason, 29,  Phillipsburg for Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) on Sunday, December 23.

Sergeant Schauder responded to the Wal-Mart parking lot for a male passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival, Sergeant Schauder located Mr. Gleason passed out in the driver’s seat with the vehicle running.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in CDS and paraphernalia being located.

Mr. Gleason was arrested and transported to Police Headquarters for processing. He was charged with Possession of CDS, Possession of prescription drugs not in original container, Under the influence, Drug paraphernalia, Possession of hypodermic needles and Failure to turn over CDS to law enforcement.

He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for CDS in a motor vehicle and DWI.

He was released to his father pending his court date.

Editor’s Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Florham Park Fire Department seeking volunteers

By
Frank Cahill
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FLORHAM PARK — The Florham Park Volunteer Fire Department is actively seeking new members.

For further information please contact Fire Chief Scott Carpenter at (973) 377-3241 or email at [email protected].

Please consider becoming a member of this essential group of volunteers.

History of the Florham Park Volunteer Fire Department
On December 15, 1887, Jacob E. Burge of Hanover Road called a meeting to organize a fire company. At this meeting twenty-one charter members organized the “Afton Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1. When this organization was formed we were still part of Chatham Township and the local cross roads village was called Afton. By-Laws were developed and adopted on December 29, 1887. The second Monday of each month was set as the Meeting night. Co. #1 meetings are still conducted on this date. The meetings were conducted in “Lanning Hall” (now Florham Park Elk’s Club) until July 11, 1898 and the “Broom Factory” on the corner of Ridgedale Avenue and Brooklake Road (a bank is now located on this corner). What is now known as Florham Park was in those early days’ was essentially two estates with a sprinkling of farms in between.

Dr. Leslie D. Ward had a huge acreage to the east, extending outward from the present-day Brooklake Country Club. The Florence and Hamilton McKay Twombly’s estate was to the west (now the site of Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Exxon property, former home of Exxon Research and Engineering).

The Wards and Twomblys were early benefactors. Dr. Ward donated land and underwrote the building of a “truck house,” which the firemen built themselves. The “Truck House” was completed in September or October 1898. The structure according to the minutes was to be 20′ by 30′ with 18′ posts, a five foot leeway would be allowed. The first meeting in their own building was held on October 10, 1898 and was presided over by Jacob Burge, the first Chief. This building, now vacant was once the, Town Garage, Firehouse, Florham Park Library and presently used for town storage. It will be moved from the present Ridgedale Avenue site and placed next to the present Fire Headquarters on Brooklake Road. It will become the Florham Park Fire Museum.

Mr. Twombly donated a two-horse hook and ladder truck, purchased second-hand from Madison in 1898 for $150.00. The truck was equipped with “hand tongues” useful in towing the vehicles to the fire if horses were not available. The bell in the Little Red School House and a locomotive wheel rim, when hit with a hammer it summon firemen from the shops and fields.

Horses were usually available, supplied by William Parkhurst and George Felch for $3.00 per run. Firemen used their own funds to buy a horse whip to spur on the Parkhurst-Felch horses and two blankets to warm the horses when the run was over.

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