The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders held its 2019 Italian Heritage Month celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Hall of Records. The ceremony commemorated the heritage and culture of the Italian-American community. Freeholder President Brendan Gill began the program with welcoming remarks, recognizing the vast diversity that exists in Essex County.

Freeholder Leonard Luciano led the program, celebrating the board’s honorees: John Alati of Verona, Michael Parlavecchio of Millburn, Leslie Pogany of South Orange and Joseph Zarra of Nutley. Also recognized were members of the Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee.