Dear Editor:

Wow, what a difference!  Two town halls a week apart and yet their hosts, content, and purpose were worlds apart. 

At the first Town Hall, Council member, Justin Musella, invited all Parsippany residents to join him at an open to the public session so he could listen to them and learn from them. 

At the second meeting, Mayor Barberio limited guests to Parsippany residents of American/Indian descent so he could rant and rave about how tough he is and how he feels so unfairly victimized by taxpayers willing to challenge his self-serving sell-out to developers.

The difference between the Councilman’s and the Mayor’s commitment to Parsippany’s best interests couldn’t be clearer.  

Bob Crawford

Dear Editor,

I attended Mayor Barberio’s recent Town Hall planned for only the Indian-American community. I wanted to hear firsthand all viewpoints on local issues being debated in the news, such as the much-talked-about PILOT programs, skyrocketing water and sewer fees, and the many car break-ins and home burglaries.

I went with an open mind, but that all ended after Mayor Barberio started the Town Hall with a 30-minute tirade. He railed against everyone with opinions different from his own: the Board of Education, citizens who feel their taxes and fees are too high, people who are against taxpayer-funded development projects, and residents/town hall employees who post anonymously on Facebook. You name it, he ranted against everyone critical of him.

The Mayor’s demeanor out of the gate was so defensive, it reminded me of President Biden’s angry State of the Union address last month.

There wasn’t even a need for the mayor to be so thin-skinned at the meeting, it wasn’t that well attended. There were so many vacant seats, and many were populated by the banquet hall’s out-of-town staff members and their friends.

The town hall was run by the Mayor’s hand-picked Indian American liaison who spoon-fed township officials with predetermined, softball questions with no interaction with the crowd. It was strictly a one-way conversation.

When the meeting finally opened up to a question-and-answer period, Barberio’s liaison announced on the microphone that only Indian Americans could ask questions of the mayor and senior municipal staff. Residents of other ethnicities could not speak.

This Mayor owes all of his non-Indian constituents a formal apology for alienating a section of his constituency at a township-sanctioned public meeting while pandering to another population.  What is he hiding to need such a choreographed meeting that instituted a gag order to a subsection of his constituency?

Sue Petrovic
Lifelong Parsippany Resident

Dear Editor:

Last Thursday, April 11, 2024, marked a significant event for the Indian American residents of Parsippany as a town hall meeting, meticulously organized, unfolded at the elegant Rishtta Banquet Hall.

It was an evening filled with purpose and engagement, where the voices of the Indian American community members resonated through the air. Gratitude filled my heart as I watched our esteemed panel, composed of dedicated individuals, generously devote their time to addressing the concerns and inquiries of our residents.

Together, we dove into pressing topics ranging from crime, Burglaries, and taxes to the beloved sport of cricket and the innovative PILOT Program. One individual who deserves special recognition is Mayor James Barberio, whose unwavering support and insightful contributions helped illuminate the path forward for the community. His efforts in keeping the Indian American community informed about the township’s initiatives have truly strengthened our bond.

As the evening progressed, I witnessed a sense of satisfaction watching over the attendees as their questions found comprehensive and informative responses. It was a testament to the power of open dialogue and collective action in fostering a thriving community.

Reflecting on the event, I feel deeply honored to have had the opportunity to orchestrate such a meaningful gathering. It reaffirmed my commitment to serving the people of Parsippany and ignited a sense of anticipation for the future. With gratitude in my heart and determination in my spirit, I eagerly look forward to continuing this journey of service and collaboration in the years to come. 

Jigar Shah
Parsippany