ASSEMBLYWOMAN DECROCE JOINS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FOUNDATION

Source: Parsippany Patch-

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Morris, Essex and Passaic) of Parsippany was chosen to participate in the State Legislative Leaders Foundation’s (SLLF) “Emerging Leaders Program” at The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

She is one of 50 legislators selected from across the country to participate.

“I am honored to have been selected to participate in this prestigious program which will afford me the chance to learn from and network with fellow legislators from around the nation,” said DeCroce.

“I fully intend to make the most of this challenging opportunity to further enhance my leadership skills and gain new perspectives so that I may better serve my constituents and the residents of New Jersey,” she added.

According to a written statement from DeCroce’s office, the program will be held over the course of four days in July to develop leadership skills focusing on:
•Analysis and feedback on elements of personal leadership style.
•Awareness of the importance of values and ethics in governance and public service.
•Gaining perspective on the importance of the role of the state legislature in contem­porary American politics.
•Recognition of the importance of legisla­tors as consensus builders and facilitators of compromise.

DeCroce was nominated by Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and selected by a committee of senior staff from the SLLF and Darden faculty selected the participants.

“One of the primary criteria for selection is the candidate’s long-term commitment to public service and keen interest in self development,” the statement said.

DeCroce: Nearly $1M in Road Improvements Coming to Morris County

Municipalities in Morris County will share just under $1 million in state grants for road improvement projects, according to District 26 Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce.

The projects receiving state funding range from a $250,000 Interpace Parkway improvment project in Parsippany to $140,000 road resurfacing project for Carey Avenue in Butler.

“I am extremely pleased that we were able to secure this funding through the state Department of Transportation to upgrade the infrastructure in [these] district  communities,” said DeCroce. “The state funding is critical to help offset the costs of road and bridge improvements for local taxpayers.”

MORRIS COUNTY DISBURSEMENTS

Municipality	Project	Type	Amount	Total
Butler Borough	Carey Ave Resurfacing	Roadway Preservation	$140,000	$140,000
Jefferson Township	Weldon Road Improvements	Roadway Preservation	$200,000	$200,000
Lincoln Park Borough	Two Bridges Road & Pine Brook Road Improvements – Phase II	Roadway Preservation	$180,000	$180,000
Montville Township	Roads Resurfacing – Church Lane, Stiles Lane/Vail Road	Roadway Preservation	$200,000	$200,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township	Interpace Parkway Improvement Project	Roadway Preservation	$250,000	$250,000

A total of $2.1 million dollars in state grants covered projects in Morris, Essex and Passaic counties.
 

Bucco & DeCroce: Murderers Must Face Their Victims

As the state Supreme Court decides whether a convicted killer must attend his own sentencing, Assembly Republicans Anthony M. Bucco and BettyLou DeCroce have introduced legislation that would clarify the rights of crime victims to face their assailants at sentencing.

Guiseppe Tedesco, convicted of killing Alyssa Ruggieri in her Hopatcong home in 2010, is attempting to waive to his right to appear at his sentencing. The state Supreme Court heard arguments this week and is expected to decide the matter in the fall.

“Alyssa had no choice whether to face Tedesco. He doesn’t deserve a choice now whether to face those who are grieving her loss,” Bucco, R-Morris and Somerset, said. “Those who have been convicted of an egregious crime against humanity cannot dictate to the courts, or those they have victimized, how they will receive their punishment. This is making a mockery of our justice system.”

The proposal, A-4118, would amend the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights to strengthen victims’ rights to make an in-person statement directly to the court and the offender at sentencing.

“Crime victims will always feel the pain, loss and suffering caused by crime. They deserve the opportunity to confront those who harmed them before justice is served,” DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic, said. “It’s mind boggling to think that the Supreme Court has to even consider whether a convicted murderer has to appear in court for his sentencing. The last words a violent criminal should hear before being locked up should be from the friends and families left behind.”

DeCroce and Bucco urged the Supreme Court to side with crime victims and said they would fight to change the law to make sure this situation never arises again.

“Crime victims who have suffered a horrendous loss should decide for themselves whether addressing their assailant will help their grieving process,” Bucco said. “We hope the Supreme Court will use common sense and side with the Ruggiero family in this case. Meanwhile, we must change the law to make sure the courts never have to consider a case like this again.”

“The question of whether a criminal should have to sit for a sentencing should never be asked again,” added DeCroce. “We will support the Ruggieros and any other family victimized by crime and will fight to make sure the legal process remains open and compassionate to victims.”