STATEMENT FROM HEATHER DARLING

I am announcing my candidacy for Morris County Surrogate. Current Surrogate John Pecoraro is retiring at the end of his term.

My 15 years of legal and business experience in private practice, having provided legal representation to many individuals in the Morris County Surrogate’s Court along with my personal experiences will ensure that the benefits to the individuals served by this office are maximized.

Each and every day the media is replete with stories of seniors being scammed and it kills me when I hear about our seniors being taken advantage of. I grew up with only one parent and he was a senior by the time I was 10 years old. I saw people try over and over to take advantage of him for no reason other than his age.

As a Freeholder, most members of the community who contacted me for assistance contacted me about their elderly parents or children with special needs. I realized that this is an area where I can make a real difference for the people of Morris County.

The senior and special needs populations are often ignored and left to fend for themselves. When relatives do try and help with benefits, housing or medical appointments, they find themselves shut out of the process. A guardian is a person who has been appointed by the court to conduct the general care and control of another person. For seniors and citizens with special needs who are becoming adults, guardianship proceedings are handled through the Surrogate’s Court. Most people do not know much about the Surrogate’s Court, the benefits that can be obtained or how to go about obtaining guardianships.

This vacancy in the Surrogate’s Office offers an opportunity for me to bring new ideas and make significant changes for the benefit of seniors and special needs citizens in Morris County.

Although I love being a Freeholder, there is a need in Morris County that I believe I am the perfect person to fill and through which I can help some of our most vulnerable citizens. The Surrogate’s Office is most often associated with Probate matters but there is more to it. As a legal practitioner representing clients in the Morris County Surrogate’s Court, including having served as a court appointed guardian, I have a strong grasp of the inner workings of the Surrogate’s Office from an attorney perspective and, sadly, I have had opportunities to visit for probate matters within my family. These experiences help me to see where and how the needs of clients and their representatives can be served.

As Surrogate, I will ensure the Morris County Surrogate’s Office has a high level of visibility and becomes a well known and accessible resource for seniors, special needs citizens and their families. I love serving the public and I realize that the Surrogate’s office is  where I can benefit the people of Morris County on an individual basis.

Dear Editor:

On Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. in  Town Hall Council Chambers  the Denville Township Board of Adjustment will continue the public  hearing  for an  application with major  changes to the large billboard on the Pelican property at the congested intersection of Route 10 west. (Note: Pelican is not the applicant) Several key variances are needed by the sign owner applicant. The public is invited to come out to observe and speak. You don’t have to live in Denville to come out or speak. These approvals are needed before NJDOT can grant a permit.

There are several zoning variances to be considered by the Board of Adjustment. …not necessarily approved…

1. The present traditional  billboard is considered static despite its periodic signage changes. The new billboard will be LED, such as a large TV screen with constant changing and moving scenes. The present bight billboard is only lit dusk to dawn. The new billboard will be in colored motion glowing 24 hours a day, rain or shine, fog or snowstorm, 365 days a year in both directions. It will not be a quick read, but repeated review of new  pictures and words as it changes constantly.
2. For those living in Denville and Parsippany and can see the present billboard it is 32 feet high with a variance requested for it to go up another 20 feet at 57 feet towering above the trees and Route 10 buildings in order for it to be seen further. Note: Residents  were not noticed, because you do not live close enough. The Historic District on Route 10 and Cooper Road was not noticed due to required distance also.
3. The proposal includes an increase in the square footage size of the present  billboard on both sides. Again making it more visible.
4. The fourth variance requests the billboard move forward making it  6 [six] feet from Route 10 west at the intersection of two jug handles, Pelican driveway, a traffic light, and a strip mall, etc……This dangerous location needs no more distractions. Commuters sit in congestion coming east and west. The rule at the light is don’t move too quickly as someone is about to run the light as it changes. Frequently, the intersection is blocked with cars that did not make it. With multiple turns and lane changes another distraction this close to the intersection is another dangerous diversion. This sign will be seen from the bend in Route 10 in the eastbound lane around the Shoppes of Union Hill and as far back in the west bound lane before light at Gibraltar Drive in Parsippany. This area already has many accidents reported by multiple law enforcement agencies. Speeding is an issue. Drivers watch for lane changers, frequent turners, traffic light changes and those who ignore the lights  … will now  hope the drivers surrounding them will not be taking in screen time outside the car. The eastbound lane is known for ice flows and black ice and sun glare.

Route 10 in Denville used to have less traffic and more trees. That character is slowly eroding. There is still dedicated open space and a historic district along Route 10 in Denville and residents from Denville and Parsippany live in close proximity. These approvals could open up Route 10 for more such modern electronic devices. Many areas of the state are in fact protected from these billboards and their proliferation. Much has been written about their impact on a whole range of things from wildlife to senior sight. But no one can debate the purpose of these new billboards …to get your attention repeatedly. What does that mean?? ….taking your eyes off the road over and over again. In this intersection it means missing the sudden stop…the turner…the light…the speeder…the lane changer…traffic slowing… the black ice…adjusting from sun glare and dark skies…How do you make a dangerous intersection and the unpredictable  areas in both directions leading up to it more dangerous? Add another distraction! If you travel or live near Route 10 you know these approvals will cause havoc.

Sue Schmidt

Editors Note: The Denville Municipal Building is located at 1 St. Marys Place.

MORRIS COUNTY — One lucky ticket matched all five numbers drawn winning the $68,838 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot from the Thursday, February 21 drawing.

The winning numbers were:  11, 25, 31, 37 and 39 and the XTRA number was:  03.

The lucky retailer that sold the winning ticket is 7-Eleven #11441, 269 New Changebridge Road, Pine Brook.

MORRIS COUNTY — Meet Layla! She is a two-year old Yorkie Maltese mix. She experienced a rough start at life but is ready for a new chapter!

She was used for breeding by her original owner who soon abandoned her in an apartment with another dog. They were alone for nearly three months with limited food and water until W.A.R stepped in. It was discovered that Layla was pregnant, so she safely delivered six puppies while in foster care. Her pups have all been adopted and now it is Layla’s turn!

Layla is very sweet and aims to please. She takes time to warm up to new people, but once she does, she is a lovebug!

The quickest way to Layla’s heart is with treats and belly rubs. She is extremely food motivated. Her favorite treats are lamb lung and chicken. Layla LOVES belly rubs! She could lay on her back for hours with someone petting her.

Layla is low to moderate energy. She enjoys going on daily walks but when inside, she just lays by your side. She would prefer to have an owner who is home most of the day to keep her company.

Layla does well with other dogs and would be fine in a home with cats. Because she is still a shy girl, it would be best she went home with kids above the age of 13.

If you are interested in adopting Layla, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Our Lady of Mercy, 90 Whippany Road, Whippany, has joined in Operation “Share the Love.”

The Caring & Sharing Ministry has joined forces with our Health Ministry to “Share the Love” for our troops and residents of Care One. They will be making Blessing Bags for these two groups.

There will be collection boxes at all the doors during the month of February. Below is a list of items we will be collecting for each group.

Troops: Disposable Razors, Travel Size Shaving Cream, K-Cups Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Ramen Noodles, Soup (not canned), Mac & Cheese, Oreo’s, Gold Fish, Peanut Butter and Ritz Crackers.

Care One: (All Care One items are travel sizes): Shampoo, Body Lotion, Soap/Body Wash, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Combs, Lip Balm and Individual Tissue Packets.

One of the units they are shipping to can’t leave the base for security reasons. That Unit likes to play video games on their down time. If you would like to donate Video Games or a Game System they would be more than grateful.

For more information please email [email protected] or (973) 738-9542.