Council Honors Irene Responders and Volunteers

The first item for business during Tuesday's  meeting was to give an official thank you to the people, agencies and nonprofit organizations that helped Parsippany during  last August.

Mayor James Barberio said the efforts are continuing to get the township back on track after the unprecedented storm that left—and keeps—hundreds of residents homeless and struggling to start their lives again.

Township proclamations for dedicated service went to a host of individuals, agencies and nonprofit organizations, including:

• Parsippany-Troy Hills 
• Parsippany-Troy Hills 
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• Parsippany 
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• Parsippany-Troy Hills 
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• Flood donation center volunteers Ann Erdmann, Joe O’Donnell, Loretta Gragnani and Mike Kennedy
•  of Parsippany Presbyterian Church
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•  and General Manager Sean Verney

The mayor also thanked the members of the Township Council for their efforts in helping Parsippany weather the storm.

"Where are our certificates?" joked Council President Michael dePierro.

In the back of Council Chambers sat a crying woman who said she was still dealing with the maelstrom that hit her life when Irene hit Parsippany.

"They deserve their awards and the thanks," she said, wiping her tears and declining to give her name, but mentioning that she can't get back into her severely damaged house. "But I hope they know that we're still out here suffering and running out of hope.

"I just want to go home. Can anyone help with that?"