The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority will use the occasion of its Annual Recycling Awards Dinner on Friday, Nov. 6 to honor 19 individuals, businesses, schools, and a Girl Scout troop for their recycling efforts.

Each of the 19 award winners has made significant contributions toward the success of waste prevention, reuse, recycling and litter abatement across the county, including the purchase and use of items containing recycled material, said Penny Jones, MCMUA recycling education specialist.

Awards will be presented to Deborah D'Urso, principal of the Academy Street School in Dover; Cedar Crest, a retirement community in Pompton Plains; Josh, Scott and Lindsey Bissinger of Morris Township; Adam Brewer, Montville recycling coordinator; Hanover Township Girl Scout Cadette Troop 1919; Homeless Solutions, Inc., of Morristown; the Rockaway River Watershed Cabinet; the "green" committee at Torey J. Sabatini School in Madison; Nayna Shah of Morris Plains, and GE-Aviation Systems in Whippany.

The MCMUA will also honor seven individuals who retired from their municipal recycling positions or have moved on to other jobs within the past five years. They are Barbara Bate, who was employed by Chatham Borough; Hal Bermingham, who was employed by Morris Plains; Joe Giordano, who was employed by Morris Township; Jasmine Lim, who was employed by Montville; Joe Lowell, who was employed by Denville; Penny Newell, who was employed by Mendham Township, and Gino Recksiek, who was employed by Jefferson.

"Recycling's a Roller Coaster," reflecting the highs and lows of recycling, is the theme of this year's dinner at the Hanover Manor, 16 Eagle Rock Ave., in East Hanover.

"Recycling is market-driven, and the markets are subject to the ups and downs of the economy," Jones said. "Interest in recycling is also akin to a roller coaster. Sometimes it's on the upswing and sometimes on the downswing. At the moment, because of all of the attention on climate change and taking care of planet Earth, I'm happy to say interest in recycling is pretty high."

Tickets for the dinner, which begins with a cash bar cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., are $38 per person. Tickets or more information may be obtained by calling the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority at 973-285-8395.

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Morris County has unveiled a computerized address management system that will aid emergency services personnel in locating specific addresses when responding to emergency calls.

The managed address database, developed by the Morris County Department of Planning and Development, will be of particular assistance in trying to find a specific unit or office in a multi-tenant building.

Steve Rice, manager of the county's Geographic Information System, said the database is able to pinpoint a specific apartment or office in a building that will usually show up on most other mapping systems as one address.

He told the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders that the county's new system has dramatically improved the accuracy of locating specific addresses from about 70 percent to 98 percent.

The initial use of the system is for 9-1-1 and other emergency calls. In the future, towns and other county agencies will also be able to use the system to meet such local needs as crime analysis, emergency notifications and quickly identifying residences occupied by the elderly or persons with disabilities.

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The Morris County Freeholders have approved a $9,800 contract with the engineering consulting firm T & M Associates of Middletown, N.J., for the development of a conceptual plan for additional recreation areas at Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany.

The freeholders said the study will present options for proceeding with the second phase of the development of the county park, which is located at the site of the former Greystone Park State Psychiatric Hospital.

Central Park of Morris County already includes a Challenger ball field for mobility-impaired individuals and two in-line roller rinks that were dedicated in July 2008, and a cross-country track course. The Morris County Park Commission, which manages the park, hopes to create additional athletic fields and other active and passive recreation opportunities at the site.

The freeholders purchased the 306-acre site from the state for $1 in 2003. The property had been declared excess by the state when it decided to close Greystone and build a smaller facility on half of the psychiatric hospital's nearly 700-acre campus.

The conceptual plan for additional recreation areas is scheduled to be completed early next year.

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The Morris County Division of Health Management continues to keep an eye out for any signs of an outbreak of the H1N1 influenza, as well as seasonal flu.

Health officials said in New Jersey, influenza typically occurs any time between October through early April, with the peak season occurring during January and February.

The symptoms of H1N1, or swine flu, are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 influenza. Also, like seasonal flu, severe disease and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Peter Summers, Morris County Health Officer, said thorough and frequent hand washing and covering coughs or sneezes are among the best ways to slow the spread of illness and to stay healthy.

Summers said any municipal health department can provide additional information or answer questions regarding the H1N1 Influenza.

Individuals may also visit the Morris County Health Management Web site, http://www.morrishealth.org, where links to other resources, including the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services and the federal Centers for Disease Control may be found.

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The Morris County Park Police invite you to join them Saturday, Oct. 17 for a Cops Kick for Kids event to raise money for the children of law enforcement families in need.

Cops Kick for Kids is a soccer penalty kick-a-thon that will kick off at noon at Loantaka Brook Reservation, 468 South St., in Morris Township. The event is open to boys and girls 5 years of age and older as well as adults.

Participants will take five shots on goal from the penalty box. A goalie in both male and female categories will be in the net to attempt to stop the goal. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded to those with the most goals scored in each age group. In the event of a tie, a "sudden death" kick-off will determine the winner.

The cost is $20 per participant, and donations and sponsorships are welcome. Participants will receive T-shirts and goodie bags, and a DJ, karaoke, face painting, door prizes and more will also be part of the day's event.

Proceeds will also benefit the Morris County Park Police Child ID Program.

Online pre-registration on the Park Police Web site www.morrisparkpolice.org.is strongly suggested. Registration the day of the penalty kick-a-thon begins at 10:30 a.m.

More information may be obtained by contacting Detective Sal Salafia of the Morris County Park Police at ssalafia@morrisparks.net or at 973-326-7632.

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The Morris County Library's series of free career resource seminars continues in October.

The first session, Local Resources for Job Seekers, is Monday, Oct. 5, from noon until 1:30 p.m. and will concentrate on the free job search sources available to all job seekers. This session will also cover such topics as cover letters, resumes, job outlooks, interviews and networking, recruiters, agencies and career change.

Company Research for Job Seekers will be Tuesday, Oct. 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. This session will cover everything you need to know to about researching potential employers, including company profiles and financial information, products and services, company history and its corporate family tree.

Internet Job Search Tips will be discussed at a seminar Monday, Oct. 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. This strategy session will focus on the practical aspects of searching for jobs on the Internet and will include "hidden job sites," New Jersey jobs, Civil Service jobs, salary surveys, online ads and online resumes.

Networking 101 is the title of the 4th career seminar of the month that will take place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Proven networking strategies, innovative techniques and guerrilla tactics will be detailed with special emphasis placed on local opportunities.

Everything a person needs to know about applying for a job online will be the topic of a seminar Monday, Oct. 26, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Among the topics to be covered will be security issues and data entry.

Space for each seminar is limited and registration is required. Individuals may sign up for the entire series or a single session. All of the seminars will be held at the Morris County Library, 30 East Hanover Avenue in Whippany.

To register, call the library at (973) 285-6939, or by visit the library's Web site, www.mclib.info.

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The Morris County Department of Human Services is joining with United Way of Morris County and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Morris program to support the Morris March for Military Families on Sunday, Sept. 27.

The fund-raising event from 8 a.m. to noon on the campus of the County College of Morris in Randolph will support Project Front Line Morris, a community partnership to raise awareness and improve access to local resources for military families.

John Franklin, CEO at United Way of Morris County, said while military families are strong, the stresses that arise when a family member is called upon to serve can be great.

"Military families are doing their part everyday to manage the home front while their loved ones are on the front lines in places like Iraq and Afghanistan serving our country," he said. "By marching in the Morris March for Military Families, we can raise much-needed funds to help these families remain strong and withstand the stresses that inevitably affect every family and are only exacerbated by the absence of a family member due to a deployment."

Marchers are asked to solicit contributions from family, friends and co-workers and choose to "march" on the CCM campus along one of three routes ranging from just over half a mile to a mile and a half of mixed terrain.

All proceeds raised by the event will go to the Front Line Fund to meet the needs of the military families as they arise. To learn more, contact the Morris County Chamber of Commerce at 973-539-3882 or United Way of Morris County at 973-993-1160. Details can also be found at www.LiveUnitedMorris.org.

Community partners involved in Project Front Line Morris also include Family Service of Morris County, United Way 2-1-1 Information Referral Services and the Daily Record.

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Several hundred people on Sept. 13 attended Morris County's observance of the 8th anniversary of 9-11.

The attendees included family members of victims who were killed Sept. 11, 2001, in the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

They heard from Trish Stewart, the director of the victim-witness advocacy unit in the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Stewart, who in the days, weeks and months following 9-11 provided assistance to the families of the World Trade Center victims, said it is our duty to always remember those who were killed that day eight years ago. Those sentiments were echoed by Morris County Freeholder Director Gene F. Feyl, who along with Freeholder Jack J. Schrier, read aloud the names of each of the 64 Morris County residents killed in the terrorists attacks.

The county's annual Remembrance Service and Candlelight Vigil was conducted at the Morris County September 11th Memorial on West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany.

The September 11th Memorial pays tribute to all of the individuals who died on Sept. 11. The names of the 64 Morris County victims are engraved on plaques affixed to the Memorial's base, while the names of each of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed are etched in ruby-colored paving stones that have been set in the ground as a walkway surrounding the Memorial.

"Each of those individuals had his or her life stolen from us," said Feyl. "Each individual's death left a void in the hearts of many and each should be remembered."

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The Morris County Freeholders on Sept. 9 presented Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals to nine veterans in recognition of their service to our country.

Freeholder Director Gene F. Feyl praised the recipients for their patriotism and sacrifices, and told them the freeholders were honored to pay tribute to individuals who proudly served this nation here and abroad.

"You belong to a group of very special Americans we proudly call veterans," Feyl told the recipients. "The freeholders and all of the residents of Morris County are extremely grateful for your service."

The freeholders presented medals to Vietnam veterans Charles H. "Chuck" Collins, Jr., of Ledgewood, and Philip H. Wittnebert of Oak Ridge.

Medals were also received by post-Vietnam veterans Adan Albrecht of Flanders; Michael T. Bergeron of Budd Lake; John E. Fuson of Port Murray; Scott Moncavio of Randolph; Christopher Gracia of Pequannock; and Thomas Frodella of Riverdale.

A medal was posthumously awarded by the freeholders to Vietnam veteran Charles L. Harden of Wharton.

Since the freeholders began the program in 2000, more than 8,950 medals that are 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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Premier Healthcare Resources, the private firm hired by the Morris County Freeholders in 2007 to manage the county-owned Morris View Healthcare Center, reported to the freeholders today that it has made significant progress in cutting the facility's operating costs and increasing revenue.

Ron Deal, vice-president of Premier, said net operating costs to Morris County have gone from more than $10 million in 2005 to $4.4 million in 2009, with $3 million saved since the company began managing Morris View.

According to Deal, the savings can be attributed to a number of factors including an increase in census and Medicare A revenues, the implementation of management efficiencies, a reduction in overtime and less reliance on using nurses from outside agencies to staff the facility.

Since the company began managing the 283-bed former Morris View Nursing Home, Deal said revenue has been enhanced from $21.4 million in 2007 to a projected $26 million in 2009, resulting in a 21 percent increase in revenue.

Morris View's population has also increased from a daily average of 259 in 2007 to 276 this year, with the admission process streamlined from three days several years ago to an hour today in many cases, Deal told the freeholders.

Freeholder Director Gene Feyl called Morris View a "premier health care facility that provides outstanding long-term care and rehabilitation services to Morris County citizens."

Deal said plans for 2010 include providing enhanced clinical programs for specific disease processes, expanded family meetings to educate and communicate with residents' families, and continuing education for community professionals.

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County College of Morris in Randolph is hosting a photography exhibit by Morris County Freeholder Jack Schrier and his wife, Elizabeth Gee, through Oct. 23 in the Art Gallery of the Masten Library.

Although married for 35 years, Schrier and Gee say their exhibit demonstrates that they see life through different lenses.

Schrier has been a photographer since he was 10 years old, using "box" and "bellows" cameras and developing and printing his own pictures in a make-shift basement darkroom. His film medium was black-and-white, and his photographs have been published in such publications as New York Magazine, The New York Times Book Review and the Saturday Evening Post.

Elizabeth Gee got her start in photography at a Manhattan ad agency, where her assignments included photo shoots for Hallmark Cards. She especially enjoyed taking personal portraits, and had the opportunity to photograph a bevy of celebrities and literary figures from Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and newsman Chet Huntley to Margaret Truman.

She was on hand when Jimmy Carter won the New Hampshire primary that firmly launched him on his road to the presidency, and her portrait of him on that day put her into consideration as official White House photographer. Unlike her husband, Gee prefers to shoot colorful images.

A reception to meet the photographers will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 18 in the Art Gallery of the Masten Library on the CCM campus.

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The Morris County School of Technology Academy for Visual & Performing Arts recently garnered the top high school award in the 35th New Jersey Young Film & Videomakers' Festival.

The Sci-Fi Movie, produced by the Multimedia Class of 2010, was among nearly 100 films and videos competing and was the only Morris County winner among 24 middle school, high school, college and independent works chosen for the festival's annual multi-state tour.

The winning students include Emily Pellegrino of Wharton; Steven Donahue and Dallas Kennedy of Denville; Jori Schwartz and Jamie Loder of Rockaway Township; Joey DeGroot and Amanda Hecht of Boonton; Emily Miller of Bloomingdale; Henry Montesano III of Parsippany; Alexandra and Tracey Landau of Florham Park; Jeff Marczak of Roxbury; David DeGregori of Mendham; Andrew Smith of Mount Olive; and Deanna Klapischak of Long Valley.

Since its inception, the New Jersey Young Film & Videomakers' Festival has recognized, celebrated and encouraged emerging student talent in New Jersey. The festival also provides New Jersey's young video and film artists the opportunity to have their work exposed to and evaluated by professional representatives of the media arts.

The Academy for Visual & Performing Arts is a four-year full-time public arts high school offering a college preparatory curriculum and career training in multimedia, dance and theater arts. Multimedia majors come from throughout Morris County to study digital filmmaking and animation, visual design, acting and technical theatre and to participate in all the publicity and management roles involved in operating an arts production company.

Eighth graders interested in admission to the Academy can find more information at www.mcvts.org/vpa.

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