It was standing room only, and then some, at Tuesday’s Morristown council meeting, as family and friends cheered promotions of firefighters and police.
The United States Marines even made an appearance, presenting newly promoted Fire Capt. Nick Prizzi — a Marine Corps veteran– with a proclamation of thanks for his many years collecting Toys for Tots at Christmas.
“Thank you to the Marines and to the town, and to everybody who does this for us, with the donations” of toys, Prizzi said.
Video: A fire captain gets choked up
Such good deeds are not surprising, according to Fire Chief Robert Flanagan.
“I’ve never met a group of people that are so involved in the community. They go above and beyond to make this community that much better. And that’s why I feel honored and privileged to work every single one of you,” Flanagan said of the fire bureau.
Video:
Fire Chief gives praise and thanks
Robert Whitehead was promoted to deputy fire chief.
Joining Prizzi in the captain’s rank are Greg Bleckicki and Phillip Barter.
David Barter, Marshal Babington, John Rickershauser, Jesus Castano, Thomas Dennehy, William Hoferer and Peter Dwyer were sworn in as firefighters.
On the police side, Michael Molnar was promoted to lieutenant, and Michael Doyle officially became a police officer.
Police Chief Pete Demnitz lauded them as caring people with roots in Morristown. Demnitz asserted his profession has been unfairly maligned, by President Trump and others, in the aftermath of a gunman’s Valentine’s Day massacre of 17 high school students and teachers in Parkland, FL.
Video of his remarks is here.
Slideshow photos by Kevin Coughlin
