Community Corner

Week In Review: Public Worker Unions Face Change and Seniors Say So Long to High School

The top stories of the last seven days

Pay Up, Public Workers: The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly passed legislation that will increase contributions by public workers to their health care and pension benefits. The bipartisan efforts are seen as a major victory for Gov. Chris Christie, who is expected to sign the bill into law.This means teachers, school employees and state and local government workers must pay an additional 1 percent of their salaries toward their pensions as of July 1, and an additional 1 percent phased in over the next seven years for a total of 7.5 percent.Police and firefighters will pay an additional 1.5 percent of their salaries toward their pensions for a total of 10 percent, as of July 1. The bill moves the retirement age for new teachers and non-uniformed employees from 60 to 65 years old. To be eligible for early retirement, the employees now have to work 30 years instead of 25. Additionally, the cost of living adjustment will vanish for those receiving pensions. The pension and health care benefits reform bill was approved by the state senate on Monday by a vote of 24-15 and by the Assembly Thursday by a margin of 46-32. 

Police File Suit: The New Jersey Policemen's Benevolent Association announced it will file suit to challenge the elimination of COLA for retirees, health contributions into retirement for officers with less than 20 years, and the altering of existing collectively bargained health plans. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the law and seeks to protect collective bargaining rights. 
"We will use the full extent of our legal resources to expose the illegality of these laws," said PBA President Anthony Wieners. "These laws were scrutinized by legislators for only 10 days prior to passage."

Nordstrom Not Giving Up: Morris County Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom filed a petition with the state Superior Court last Wednesday contesting the results of the June 7 Republican primary election. As it stands, the 12-year incumbent received six fewer votes than her rival, William Hank Lyon. Nordstrom maintains that a “sufficient number of voters were disenfranchised” because residents were prepared to vote, “but were denied through no fault of their own.” Her petition said the candidate believes there will be enough contested ballots to allow her to overcome the six-vote deficit and be declared the party‘s nominee for the Nov. 8 general election. The petition also said a letter from Morris County Superintendent of Elections Dale Kramer mentions seven “illegally cast”  ballots among absentee and provisional ballots from Parsippany. No date has been set for a hearing.

Historic Preservation Dollars Distributed: The Morris County freeholders agreed Wednesday to spend $2.57 million for 29 historic preservation projects around the county. Among the projects receiving funds are: a preservation plan for the J. Smith Richardson History House in Parsippany, $22,400, and Parsippany's Mount Tabor Historic District master plan, $17,600.

Pomp and Circumstance: The Class of 2011 at both Parsippany High School and Parsippany Hills High School officially graduated during separate ceremonies last Thursday. The PHS graduation took place in the morning and, despite a brief shower, was able to be completed outdoors. The evening PHHS event was not so fortunate. Last-minute drenchings, thunder and lightning forced the graduation into the school auditorium. 

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