Community Corner

Week In Review: State Extends BOE Deadline; Parsippany Mourns Alan Gordon

The biggest Parsippany stories of the past week

: A Randolph man found hiding in Parsippany has been charged with first-degree murder in the Thursday night shooting death of his father, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Matos is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1 million cash bail. He is alleged to have murdered his father, Nelson Matos, 56, in the Randolph home they shared. The suspect's car was found parked in the brush near the Greystone Psychiatric Hospital in Parsippany. The following morning, a Parsippany Police officer found the suspect hiding in bushes on Old Dover Road near the hospital. In addition to murder, the Randolph Township police have charged Matos with other charges including armed robbery and gun offenses. An investigation into the incident continues. County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi asked anyone with information to contact the Randolph Township Police Department at 973-989-7010, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-2900 or the Morris County Sheriff's Crimestoppers at 973-COP-CALL (267-2255).


: Jason Campbell, 33, was indicted Thursday by a Morris County grand jury on 10 counts, including aggravated arson, burglary and official misconduct. Campbell at the time was a volunteer fire fighter and acting chief for Parsippany Fire Co. District 5 and a Morris County sheriff's officer. The indictments stem from two incidents: a fire at 116 Old Bloomfield Ave, in September 2008 and the burglary and arson of a structure at 12 Ute Ave. in June 2010. In the 2008 incident, Campbell allegedly convinced a youth under his supervision in the sheriff's office's Explorer Program to assist him. The suspect, who is on suspension without pay from his job with the sheriff's office, is free on $75,000 bail, according to the county prosecutor's office. The case and indictments are being handled through Sussex County because of Campbell's connection to Morris County law enforcement.

: County Executive Superintendent Kathleen Serafino gave the Parsippany Board of Education until July 22 to resolve the contract status of Superintendent LeRoy Seitz. On July 1, Serafino sent the board a letter saying that Seitz's contract expired June 30 and that the pact forged last November was invalid and "outside the scope of law." She said that if the November was not rescinded by July 8, the board would face a number of consequences, including the loss of state education funds and the filing of ethics charges. Additionally, she threatened Seitz with the loss of his certification. Board President Frank Calabria asked for an extension because a number of BOE members had gone away for the Fourth of July holiday and were not made aware of the situation until midweek. Serafino granted the request and Calabria told Patch that the board will discuss the matter Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Board of Education Building, 292 Parsippany Rd. He said the session likely will be closed, but that the public is welcome to attend and wait for the board to announce its decisions when the discussion ends.

: The Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment heard final testimony for the long-deliberated SpringHill Suites project. Morristown firm Kamsad Giri LLC has been working for four years to build a Mariott hotel and restaurant complex at Route 10 and Glacier Drive. Over the years many residents have opposed the plan vocally, citing the proposed structure's height, signange, lights and more. Last Wednesday, community planner Michael Tobia presented a number of concessions by the developer to assuage board members and minimize disruption for people living on Glacier Drive. Zoning Board President George Iracane said the board finally will vote on the project August 17. Members of the public that night will have one last opportunity to voice their concerns.

: County College of Morris Trustee and former Parsippany Board of Education member Alan Gordon, 59, died suddenly at his home Friday morning. Family members say he succumbed to an apparent heart attack. The 25-year Parsippany resident made his name through community service, having worked numerous organizations including the Parsippany Child Day Care Center, Safety Town, the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and the Parsippany Republican Club. His professional life was spent at the Immediate Medical Care Center in Wayne and at Morristown Memorial Hospital's Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. "He made great contributions to this town," said Mayor James Barberio. "Parsippany will miss Alan Gordon."


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