The Morris County Freeholders on May 29 congratulated the 39th graduating class of the County College of Morris.

This year's graduating class numbered more than 1,100, with 330 individuals receiving their degrees at the May 29 ceremony. Among them was the 40,000th person to have graduated from CCM since the two-year-college was established.

"One of you is now part of this college's history," Morris County Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom told the graduates.

"Since 1968, this fine institution has been helping thousands of students, you among them, accomplish their goals and realize their full potential."

The County College of Morris in Randolph will celebrate its 40th birthday in September.

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The Morris County Freeholders on May 30 honored 11 veterans by presenting them with the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal.

The ceremony was part of the county's annual Memorial Day observance on the front lawn of the Morris County Courthouse.

One of the medals was posthumously presented to Gulf War veteran and Chester native Marc R. Dilley, who was killed in auto accident in Jefferson one year ago. Dilley's mother, Dorella Dilley, accepted the medal.

Gulf War veteran Terence Coletta of Parsippany, was recognized but could not attend the ceremony. Coletta, a Marine reservist, was scheduled to leave Friday for his second deployment to Iraq.

Among those receiving medals were World War II veterans Armand J. Inelli of Chester; Henry Leer of the Landing section of Roxbury; and William Watson of Millington, Long Hill Township.

Also receiving medals were Herbert Feinstein of Parsippany, a veteran of the Korean War, and Vietnam veterans David Hourigan of Wharton and Henry Broxmeier of Morristown.

Veterans honored who served during the Gulf War besides Coletta were Christopher B. Gates of Mendham; Stanley N. Demby of Wharton; and James J. Vigilante of Parsippany.

Morris County Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom noted the ceremony's date, May 30, was the date Memorial Day, then called Decoration Day, was first observed 140 years ago.

"Through the generations, up to and including today, we in this country have been blessed to have men and women like you who have stepped forward when America needed them most," Nordstrom told the veterans.

"We are indebted to you for your service and the many sacrifices you and your families endured."

The freeholders started their practice of honoring the county's veterans with Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals in 2000. Since that time, some 8,400 medals, unique to Morris County, have been presented to veterans or to their family members.

More information about the program may be obtained by contacting the Morris County Veterans Service Office at 973-285-6866.

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Morris County has unveiled a new tactical armored vehicle that will enable the county's emergency responders to effectively respond to threats to public safety and security.

The Bear Cat vehicle is specially designed to provide a high level of ballistic protection during an emergency. It can be deployed to rescue an officer, responder or civilian who is pinned down by gunfire or evacuate students from a school in the event of a school security incident.

Purchased with $271,968 in Homeland Security funds secured with the assistance of 11th District Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, the vehicle also has built-in capabilities to detect certain chemicals and hazardous materials.

The vehicle will be assigned to the Morris County Sheriff's Office and will be available for use to assist other law enforcement agencies in the county.

Acquisition of this vehicle continues the county's Homeland Security Strategy developed in 2002, which centers on providing first responders the tools to effectively respond to threats to public safety and security.

During the past few years, the county has purchased such items as gas masks for every police officer, escape hoods for every EMS provider and chemical protective clothing that was placed on every fire truck in the county.

This equipment provides a level of protection to the various responders so they could safely evacuate, treat or decontaminate the public in the event of a chemical related attack or accident.

The county has also dedicated significant Homeland and county funding to provide a high level of communication among all of the response agencies in the county by funding and deploying the Morris Interoperable Radio System.

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Morris on the Move, a free shuttle bus available to take low-income residents and those receiving public assistance to and from employment sites and employment related activities, has added two additional stops.

The route between Mt. Olive Township and the NJ Transit train stations in Netcong and Dover will now include Love Lane in Netcong and Ledgewood Mall.

A new, larger vehicle, a white mini-bus, enables M.O.M. to accommodate 20 passengers and two wheelchairs.

The shuttle bus service runs between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, except major holidays.

M.O.M. makes stops in Mt. Olive at Kings Village, Hensyn Village, Eagle Rock Village, ITC Crossing Mall; in Netcong on Love Lane, Netcong Heights and the Netcong Train Station; at several locations along Route 46; at the Ledgewood Mall; and in Dover at St. Clare's Hospital and the Dover Train Station.

The bus also connects in Dover with Morris County Metro bus routes #2 and #10 and Lakeland Bus #80.

For information and to request a schedule, visit the Morris County Division of Transportation Management Web site www.MorrisDOT.org, the TransOptions website www.Transoptions.org or call Employment and Training Services at 973-829-8501.

Funding under a Job Access and Reverse Commute grant is provided through NJ Transit by the Federal Transit Administration and the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

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The Morris County Freeholders officially changed the name of the Morris View Nursing Home to the Morris View Healthcare Center during a brief ceremony May 16.

The facility's name was changed to better reflect the many health care services Morris View offers.

"The perception remains that facilities like Morris View are only for older people and others who need long-term care," Margaret Nordstrom, freeholder director, said. "In reality, however, that is no longer the case. Aging isn't what it used to be, and Morris View's population is getting younger."

Morris View's health care services range from short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay to adult day care, Nordstrom said.

"Today, this wonderful facility is much more like Morris View Healthcare Center than Morris View Nursing Home," Nordstrom said. "But, Morris View is still providing long-term care for those who need it."

Nordstrom noted during Morris View's history, which dates back to the early 19th century, it has been a Welfare House, an Alms House, a Tuberculosis Clinic, a shelter and a nursing home.

"Becoming a healthcare center is just one more example of how the outstanding health care and social services Morris View has provided and delivered over the years have been repeatedly adjusted to meet the complex and changing health care demands of our community," she said.

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The Morris County Freeholders have criticized NJ Transit for cutting the number of stops its trains make at rail stations in the county.

The freeholders complained that the weekday stops were eliminated with no input from officials or from the Morris County Division of Transportation Management.

According to the division, NJ Transit has implemented weekday reductions of 75 eastbound stops and 84 westbound stops on the Morristown Line in the county.

Mt. Tabor's rail station took the biggest hit, with a 40 percent reduction in eastbound stops and a 39 percent reduction in westbound stops.

The freeholders were especially critical of those cuts, saying Mt. Tabor residents who would easily walk to the station to take the train would now have to drive to Dover or Morris Plains.

The freeholders questioned whether parking lots at those stations would be able to accommodate the increase in vehicles.

The freeholders were also critical of NJ Transit for cutting stops when more people are considering using mass transportation because of rising gasoline prices.

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The Morris County Freeholders on May 14 honored the three recipients of the 2008 Valor and Meritorious Awards presented by the 200 Club of Morris County.

Junior firefighter Adam May of Mt. Arlington, Roxbury Police Sgt. Gerard R. Hardiman and Chester Township Police Patrolman Ronald N. Totams were the guests at a freeholder-sponsored reception, after which they were each presented with framed resolutions of commendation in recognition of their heroics.

"These are some very special individuals who have displayed bravery and heroism while putting their lives on the line to save others," said Margaret Nordstrom, freeholder director.

May used his junior firefighting training to act quickly and safely lead his eight family members out of their burning Bertrand Island home at 3:30 a.m. in January 2007.

Sgt. Hardiman in October 2007 successfully talked a distraught man down from a tower from which the individual was threatening to jump, thus preventing the man from taking his own life.

Officer Totams risked his life in January 2007 when he untangled the seatbelt of the disoriented and intoxicated driver of a car who was trapped in his vehicle when it overturned and the dragged the man to safety as the car became engulfed in smoke and flames.

May, Hardiman and Totams were honored in April by the 200 Club of Morris County at that organization's annual Valor and Meritorious Awards dinner.

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The Morris County Park Commission will offer an array of summer camp programs this summer with adventures in nature, sports, and history and enough activities to keep campers ages 5 to 16 busy throughout the summer.

Adventures in Nature Camp provides hands-on discoveries in some of New Jersey’s most beautiful settings for kids entering grades K through 7.

Campers will explore forests, streams, swamps, and meadows while learning about the resident wildlife. The program is divided into age groups that focus on specific nature themes involving hikes, games, crafts, stories and experiments. To ensure a most enriching experience, groups are kept small with up to only 16 campers.

A camp session is held for each age group at both the Elizabeth D. Kay Environmental Center in Chester Township, and Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montville Township.

A Junior Golf Clinic for Player Development and Intermediate Junior Golf Clinics will also be held this summer.

The Junior Golf Clinic includes instruction in putting, chipping, driving, rules, score-keeping, and etiquette. The Intermediate Junior Golf Clinic is available for more experienced golfers who want to improve their game.

Youngsters are up to date on the latest technology, but how would they fare without cell phones or video games?

They can experience different challenges of centuries past with Survivor Camp! This four-day interactive camp includes visits to three historic sites: Historic Speedwell in Morristown, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township, and Cooper Mill in Chester Township.

Campers will work together in teams to learn the necessary skills to survive, all while having fun.

The Mennen Sports Arena in Morris Township will hold its 33rd Annual Summer Hockey School this year for players ages six to 16. Taught by some of the most talented coaches in the area, on-ice instruction will focus on skating and fundamental hockey skills including balance, agility, acceleration, the use of edges, puck handling, passing, and shooting.

Camp Sunrise Lake is a one week camp at Sunrise Lake situated on over 1,000 acres of Lewis Morris County Park in Morristown that will be offered to kids ages five through 13.

Campers can take daily swim lessons, fun rides on paddle boats, and guided hikes through nearby trails. They will design and create their own crafts, and enjoy organized games including volleyball, softball, relay races, Frisbee, golf, soccer, and more!

For more information on these summer camps or to request a free brochure, please call the Morris County Park Commission 973-326-7600, or visit www.morrisparks.net.

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