MORRIS COUNTY — United Way of Northern New Jersey is calling on the community to support the growing number of participants in its annual holiday gift program, which aids thousands in need across the region.

This year marks the 34th iteration of the United Way Gifts of the Season program, where local residents and businesses are invited to buy holiday gifts. The program annually distributes over 6,000 gifts to children, teens, adults with special needs, and seniors facing financial challenges in northern New Jersey.

The focus of this gift drive is to assist those who are asset-limited, income-constrained, Employed (ALICE), as well as families living in poverty who struggle to afford basic necessities.

To contribute, individuals, community groups, and businesses can either fulfill specific gift requests or provide general gifts until December 8. United Way also welcomes gift cards and financial contributions to ensure all remaining gift needs are met, spreading holiday joy to all.

Donations to the program can be made by clicking here.

For additional details about the United Way Gifts of the Season, interested parties can email GiftsOfTheSeason@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call (973) 993-1160, extension 502.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Monday, November 13, the Birchwood Manor hosted the annual member meeting of The 200 Club of Morris County.

Dr. Robert D’Emidio, the Club President, initiated the evening’s proceedings, warmly welcoming the numerous members who gathered for this notable event. Following his introduction, each committee took turns presenting their reports, providing insights into their recent activities and achievements.

The event then welcomed Media Personality, Bill Spadea, to the stage. Spadea engaged the audience with his thoughts on state laws impacting police work and his perspective on potential future reforms.

A memorable moment of the evening was the presentation of a plaque to Dr. D’Emidio, honoring his dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the club. This gesture underscored the appreciation and respect he has earned for his commitment to the organization.

Each year The 200 Club awards college, post-high school education, or vocational school scholarships to children of active or retired Morris County firefighters, police, EMTs,
members of local OEMs, as well as high school seniors who volunteer with a Morris County fire department or first aid squad. After carefully and anonymously reviewing applications, the Scholarship Committee chose these 16 deserving high school seniors to receive scholarships.

Fifteen of the students are embarking on their freshman year in the fall with a $5,000 scholarship from The Club. This year the following students received a scholarship: Brielle R. Bloch, Shannon Carey, Thomas DeNicola, Charlotte C. Eriksen, Misha A.Gill, Jacob M. Gringeri, Jack Lemongello, Nicholas C. Licata, Ricardo Nulman, Tiya Patel, Abigail Simon, Anna Thach, Daytona Turton, Parker Turton, Emily Zhao and John Zimmerman. The 2024 application opens on December 1.

Since 1971, The 200 Club of Morris County has welcomed ideas and participation from its
members to ensure that the programs are available for generations to come. They value diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, so if you have some time to spare throughout the year, they would love to speak with you about volunteer opportunities on a committee. You can familiarize yourself with each committee’s responsibilities by clicking here. You can also email 200clubofmorris@comcast.net or call 200 Club Administrator Lori Richmond at (973) 630-7933.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson confirmed the sentencing of Jermaine Edwards, formerly of Morristown, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident in Morristown.

On October 18, 2023, Edwards entered a guilty plea to second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death before the Hon. Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C.  On November 17, 2023, Judge Amirata imposed a custodial sentence of 5 years in NJSP plus a 5-year license suspension following Edwards’ release from custody.

The charges arise from an incident occurring at approximately 9:01 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, in Morristown.  Morristown Police officers were alerted to a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian in the area of Lafayette Avenue and Lackawanna Place.  Officers identified a male victim to have been struck by a motor vehicle that then fled the area.  The male victim was deceased.  Further investigation revealed that Jermaine Edwards was operating the vehicle that struck the victim and then fled the scene.

As a result of the investigation, Edwards was charged with one count of second degree Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death. Edwards has been remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility since the time of his arrest.

Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in the investigation, including members of the Morristown Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) has been made aware of emails and text messages circulating that are asking individuals to “validate” their driver’s license information for a “REAL ID system upgrade or “Driver’s License Verification.”

“These emails and texts do not originate from the NJMVC and may be part of a scam,” the NJMVC said.

The NJMVC does not ask individuals to conduct motor vehicle services unsolicited by email or text.

Individuals should always exercise caution when receiving unsolicited communication (emails, texts, or phone calls)- especially those that ask you to click on a link or provide personal information.

Anyone with questions regarding communications from the NJMVC, contact them directly.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblyman Brian Bergen was irate after discovering veterans in state-run facilities are begging for soap and other basic necessities while lawmakers spent lavishly on last-minute pork projects in the state budget passed in June.

“This is a stark and shameful reflection of skewed priorities and neglect,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “When the state is spending at historic levels, veterans in its care shouldn’t have to resort to panhandling to meet their basic needs.”

Bergen, a U.S. Army combat veteran, took issue with three wish lists posted on the state-run websites of the state veteran homes in Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus, which currently house 574 veterans. Donations of soap, deodorant, bed linens, denture care supplies, t-shirts, and tissues, among other basic care items, are being sought.

In September, The U.S Department of Justice and State Commission of Investigation issued reports documenting insufficient controls and medical care at the Menlo Park and Paramus facilities during the pandemic, which killed at least 200 residents.

“You’d think that after back-to-back scathing reports, there would be a better effort by the Murphy administration,” he continued.  “None of this would break the bank for the state to provide.”

Bergen emphasized that the disparity between the lavish state spending and the distressing plea for donations at the state homes was not just a failure but an outrage.

“Democrats hailed the state budget as a ‘statement of their values,’” said Bergen. “But in a state where historic expenditure seems to be the norm, the neglect and dire situation faced by those who have bravely served their country is an unconscionable travesty.”

Bergen emphasized that more than $1.5 billion was directed to Democrat legislative pet projects in the final weeks before the $54.3 billion state budget was adopted. The list includes $12 million for a French museum in Jersey City, $4 million for the Sewaren marina in Woodbridge, and a $500,000 dog park in Rahway.

Shortly after Gov. Phil Murphy signed the budget, Woodbridge officials announced that a 215-seat tiki bar would be part of the Sewaren marina project, which would largely be funded with state grants.

“All you have to do is look at the Democrats’ checkbook to figure out their priorities,” continued Bergen.  “While our soldiers beg for sweatpants, the state is constructing a tiki bar catering exclusively to yacht owners. That certainly doesn’t make New Jersey stronger or fairer.”

For now, Bergen is urging immediate intervention.

“It’s high time we honor our commitment to those who have selflessly served our nation,” Bergen concluded.  “I implore the state to swiftly reevaluate its priorities and ensure our veterans receive the dignity and care they have rightfully earned.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced an amendment to the FY 2024 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill prohibiting the Internal Revenue Service from interfering in state and local tax (SALT) relief programs for hard-working, middle-class families. New Jersey was among the first states to provide such tax relief before their initiative was struck down by the IRS in 2019.

“The SALT cap is an unfair double tax on middle-class families that imposes billions of dollars in additional costs on New Jersey residents and makes it harder for our state to invest in critical services, such as public education and law enforcement,” said Rep. Sherrill. “I have consistently fought to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live and my amendment will allow states and localities to develop innovative policies that provide SALT relief and cut taxes for families by preventing the IRS from unjustly interfering in state-level SALT legislation.”

The House Republican majority abruptly pulled the FSGG appropriations bill from consideration Thursday morning.

In 2017, the GOP’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act imposed a harmful double tax and one of the largest marriage penalties in the tax code by capping the state and local tax deductions at $10,000 per household. In response, states such as New Jersey developed policies to provide tax relief to families by expanding access to the federal charitable deduction and helping small business owners to deduct their full SALT at the entity level. However, the IRS issued new regulatory guidance in 2019 restricting states from implementing these policies.

In May 2022, Rep. Sherrill led several of her House colleagues in a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2023 Appropriations bill prohibiting the IRS from putting restrictions on SALT relief delivered by state and local governments. In July 2022, she also introduced an amendment to the House appropriations package preventing the IRS from restricting the ability of state and local governments to enact SALT relief. As part of her Jersey STRONG agenda, she also introduced the bipartisan Middle-Class Tax Relief Act in January 2023, which substantially raises the SALT deduction cap and fully eliminates the cap for 99% of NJ-11 families.