Politics & Government
Week in Review: Margaret Nordstrom Fights On
The top local stories of the last week
Nordstrom refuses to quit: Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom reportedly filed a revised petition Friday seeking to contest her loss to William “Hank” Lyon of Montville in June 7 Republican primary. The petition claims 41 ballots were cast either illegally or irregularly, or showed that voters were denied the chance to vote through no fault of their own, according to Nordstrom’s attorney, Alan Zakin. In the revised petitionalso , Nordstron accused Lyon of accepting an illegal campaign $16,000 loan from his father, which exceeds the legal limit of $2,600 for individuals. Lyon refutes the charges. His response is due in court Aug. 8. Nordstrom, a 12-year incumbent from Washington Township, trails newcomer William “Hank” Lyon of Montville by six votes for the party’s nomination for a 3-year term, according to current tallies.
: At the Monday night Planning Board meeting, Township Council and board member Michael dePierro again criticized a planning mechanism he said would "destroy the quality of life in Parsippany." According to dePierro, the "in need of rehabilitation" designation legalizes spot zoning and disrespects the town's master plan. Mayor James Barberio defended the designation, explaining that it helps municipalities cope with deteriorated, underutilized properties. He added that when it comes to business development, Parsippany residents will have to open their minds to the need for change.
: Parsippany Police continue to see two men in connection with a June 22 strong-arm robbery at the Greenhill Shell Station at 204 Parsippany Rd. Police said the suspects--one white, one Hispanic--were able to steal only a pack of cigarettes and one man punched a station attendant in the face. The two fled the scene. Police said the white man was described as wearing blue jeans, a grey T-shirt and a grey hat. The Hispanic man was described as having a thin, neatly trimmed beard. He was wearing black jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt with grey pinstripes. Anyone with information regarding the crime is encouraged to call Parsippany Police at 973-263-4300.
: Parsippany Police report a Staten Island man was arrested and charged in connection with the June 25 burglaries of Vitale’s Restaurant at 1541 Route 46 and Baldwin Bagels at 134 Baldwin Rd. William Rusch, 41, is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail on those charges. The suspect also faces a variety of burglary charges in Monmouth County jurisdictions, where he is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail. Police say the Monmouth charges have no connection to the Parsippany incidents.
: Parsippany could lose about 500 local State Farm Insurance company jobs over the next two years. The company announced plans Tuesday to cut the size of the staff at its Parsippany operations center at 300 Kimball Dr. The business said about 500 jobs will go to locations in New York and Pennsylvania in a move to cut costs and boost efficiency. The Christie Administration reported attempted unsuccessfully to convince State Farm to change its mind. Some local staffers will have an opportunity to move to jobs at the other sites. Those who choose not to move will receive severance packages.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.