MORRISTOWN: Margaret Nordstrom and her husband just bought their home in the Middle Valley section of Washington Township and wanted to see what plans, if any, were in store for the road in front of their house built in the 1700s.

The couple learned Morris County had plans to expand that road from two to four lanes. That would accommodate heavy traffic and ultimately ruin the neighborhood.

They mobilized the homeowners, researching ways to stop those plans. When all was said and done, the group had their roadblock: They had their neighborhood listed on the state and national registers of historic places. That move was a checkmate against road changes.

That was 1987. A couple of years later, Nordstrom was elected to the local township committee and served as mayor. Voters later gave her a promotion, electing her to the Morris County freeholder board, where she has served for a decade.

Monday night, she was one of six women honored by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement, which teamed up to celebrate Women's History Month. Some 100 people attended the event from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Morris County Records and Administration Building on Court Street in Morristown.

Nordstrom said the celebration is important, providing clear examples of true leaders to young women. She hopes she can help and inspire the next generation of female leaders. "I honored the women whose shoulders I stood on. I certainly didn't get here on my own. Public service needs more women."

Also honored: Patty Sly, the executive director of the Jersey Battered Women's Services; Twannah Ellington, assistant director of Drew University's Educational Opportunity Scholars Program; Chief Carol Ackerman of the Morris County Sheriff's Office; Gloria Sullivan, captain of the Morris County Park Police; and Chief Karen Sullivan of the Interlaken Police Department and president of the New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement.

The keynote address was provided by Minister Carol Paterson of the Calvary Baptist Church.

Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., said the office takes great pride in recognizing the honorees. "As the nation celebrates Woman's History Month, we at the Morris County Prosecutor's Office are proud to honor these phenomenal woman who make Morris County a better place to live. These woman have been of great assistance to this office and are recognized for their contributions to the law enforcement community as a whole."

Chief of Investigations William Schievella agreed, noting the honorees have forged their own paths in their chosen careers. "A lot of glass ceilings have been broken by all of the honorees and that is significant and something that should be celebrated."

(This report was filed by Agent Bill Swayze, who can be reached at (973) 285-6200.)

MORRISTOWN: It doesn't get more Irish than wearing a kilt and playing bagpipes.

Except maybe wearing a kilt, playing bagpipes and chasing down a mugger who robbed a street vender during a Saint Patrick's Day parade in Morristown.

Bob McDermott did that a couple of years ago. He has been putting on the kilt and playing bagpipes in a band for a dozen years. And, in traditional Irish fashion, he chose a career in law enforcement. He's a sergeant in the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, overseeing the Major Crimes and Homeland Security units.

This Friday, the 48-year-old investigator known for his work ethic and professionalism will be honored by Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., during a two-hour gathering being organized by the prosecutor's Community Affairs Unit. The event starts at 2:30 p.m. in the Morris County Freeholders Fifth Floor meeting room.

Six others of Irish descent will be sharing the spotlight with him, including from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Connor, Esq., Director of Administration and Policy Sheila Leary and Senior Trial Counsel John McNamara, Jr., Esq., as well as Mary Jo Buchanan, the director of the county human services department, Hanover Police Chief Stephen Gallagher and Morris Township Police Chief Tim Quinn.

Freeholder and former gubernatorial candidate John Murphy will be the keynote speaker. "I was thrilled and honored to be asked," said Murphy, who grew up in the Little Dublin section of Morristown in the vicinity of The Assumption Church on Maple Avenue.

Prosecutor Bianchi noted, "The Irish-American contributions to their country and the law enforcement community in particular are extraordinary. I am proud to honor and recognize these awardees whose lifetime commitment to public service has vastly improved the lives of so many."

Sgt. McDermott agreed, "There is a sense of pride, being Irish and in law enforcement."

There's also a sense of humor, being Irish, notes Senior Trial Counsel McNamara.

"We fought a war for four hours and we've been singing about it for 400 years," McNamara said. "And we are the people who decided to boil meat."

This report was filed March 18, 2009. Media Agent Bill Swayze may be reached at 973 285 6200.

DOVER: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. led a forum last night in Dover at Casa Puerto Rico on Blackwell Street attracting 120 people who came to hear a message of hope for victims of domestic violence.

"We are here tonight to reach out and calm fears while reporting crime, especially the crime of domestic violence," Bianchi said.

To help Hispanic victims of domestic violence, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Jersey Battered Women's Service, the Morris County Office of Hispanic Affairs, the Morris County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Department of Human Services have partnered to expand, improve and make accessible programs by offering help in Spanish.

Officials last night noted police have the authority to safeguard a victim from further abuse, arrest the abuser and help a victim seek and obtain a restraining order. Domestic violence victims are not questioned about their immigration status.

"Bottom line: Break the silence," said Detective Keisha Higgs, of the prosecutor's office. "The role of law enforcement is to help, not harm. We realize that there are many factors that prevent women from getting help. But please end the silence. Domestic violence in your community is a growing epidemic."

The speakers Monday night included representatives from Legal Services of New Jersey, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Jersey Center for Non-Violence and the Jersey Battered Women's Service.

Those familiar with domestic violence trends said many cases involving Hispanics go unreported. There are many reasons why: Language barriers and a lack of faith in law enforcement based on experiences in their native country. There also is a lot of fear - of deportation, of losing the family's breadwinner and of threats and reprisals.

This story was filed March 9, 2009. Media agent Bill Swayze may be reached at (973) 285-6200.

MORRISTOWN: The Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Jersey Battered Women's Service in collaboration with three key government and civic agencies and organizations are reaching out to the county's Spanish-speaking population with a program that will focus on domestic violence in the Hispanic community.

Partnering with the Prosecutor's office and Jersey Battered Women's Service are the Morris County Office of Hispanic Affairs, the Morris County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Department of Human Services.

The event is two fold, with the groups involved holding a press conference Saturday to spread the message about the Monday night program, and give the Jersey Battered Women's Service a center stage to unveil its year-long focus on getting the word out in Spanish about its services. It will also provide vital information from the Prosecutor's office to ensure that victims of domestic violence are aware of their rights and remedies under the law.

The Saturday press conference to promote the Monday night event will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Saint Margaret's Church, 6 Sussex Ave. in Morristown. Following the press conference, members of these organizations will walk in Hispanic neighborhoods in Morristown and Dover to hand out flyers to notify people about the free two-hour program, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Casa Puerto Rico, 50 West Blackwell Street in Dover.

Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. said, "Domestic violence is a very serious social and legal issue and we, as the leaders of the community, have a responsibility to educate our citizens so that we can try to combat this problem with resolve. In this operation we are reaching out to the Spanish speaking populace. We want to make sure that all persons, regardless of the language they speak, are aware of one simple reality. We will not relent in the arrest and prosecution of persons who commit these cowardly and destructive acts. We are educating the public in all languages to get this simple message out."

The speakers Monday night include representatives from Legal Services of New Jersey, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Jersey Center for Non-Violence and the Jersey Battered Women's Service.

Those familiar with domestic violence trends said many cases involving Hispanics go unreported. There are many reasons why.

"Domestic violence transcends all economic, religious and cultural boundaries," said Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Tia Manochio, who oversees the prosecution of domestic violence defendants on behalf of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

"The issues Hispanic domestic violence victims deal with include language barriers and a lack of faith in law enforcement based on experiences in their native country. There also is a lot of fear of deportation, of losing the family's breadwinner and of threats and reprisals," Manochio said.

Patty Sly, executive director of the Jersey Battered Women's Service, agrees, noting, "In 2008, the number of Spanish speaking clients approached 20 percent up from the single digits in 2000."

"It is one of the most widely unreported crimes in our community. We have seen a growth in the numbers of Hispanic domestic violence victims. That's due to the growing Latino population as well as the agency's move to offer services in Spanish so we can reach more clients," she said.

The Hispanic community has grown 41.4 percent since 2000 while the county's total population has increased 8.9 percent. There are some 51,792 Hispanics in the county, according to the county planning department.

By the numbers between 1998 and 2007, Morris County reached a high point in 2004 with 2,644 domestic violence incidents, and a low in 1999, when there were 2,424 incidents, according to state statistics. In 2007, there were 2,473 incidents.

Sly said the events will make a difference. "This will allow people to come forward for services knowing that their confidentiality will be respected and they'll receive services in Spanish. This is going to reach many more people."

Bianchi added, "The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is dedicated to protecting victims of domestic violence and will hold defendants accountable for their conduct by prosecuting these cases. We hope this program helps victims know that there are services available to protect them from their abusers."

(This report was filed March 4, 2009 by Agent Bill Swayze, who can be reached at 973-285-6200)