Dear Editor:

If all politics are local, perhaps we have found our man. I was both pleased and disappointed at the recent rally on June 29th. Musella, though a Republican, is more independent and concerned with the local issues and appears determined to become a “people’s mayor,” not a corporate crony or a boasting Barberio, “I make deals with developers.” Yes, he does; 30-year PILOT Deals was like Waterview all over again. A promise of Open Space Betrayed, after a grassroots outcome of No Rezone Betrayed! Barberio’s allegiance to Republican Party Hack John Inglesino, who, while in the paid service of Parsippany Taxpayers, represented his real estate developers and promoted fear in the affordable housing situation.
30-year PILOTS for warehouses in a prime location like Parsippany smell of political cronyism. These corporate developers, with their tax evasion PILOTs, will surely reward their political allies with campaign donations; they have placed themselves above the people. Going from tax ratables to PILOTS makes no sense. In my case, local taxes have gone up quite a bit to $180 a month.
The disappointment was from BOE President Andy Choffo, who encouraged all at the rally to vote Republican in the next elections. Saying this without denouncing Trump was disturbing. Is the republican party now the party of Trump? Shall we sanction corruption? Should the Board of Education not be more bipartisan or neutral?
Editors Note: Mr. Choffo made it very clear at the beginning of his speech that he was speaking personally and NOT as a representative of the Board of Education.
When Musella wins, he promises to reach out to the people. This is what former Mayor Soriano did during his administration until COVID-19 struck. Soriano, as Mayor, also tried to make municipal employees more accountable, which is also a Mayor’s job. However, he was resented for this unjustly.
Musella and all of us need to learn the benefits of Highlands Regional Conformance under the NJ Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. Parsippany, 100% in the planning area, has no reason not to want to conform. What good is your master plan when a wealthy corporate developer determines it for you or sues you not to get his way? Highlands curtail or prevent inappropriate development. Barberio and Inglesino took us out of the conformance process 2014 based on falsehoods and disinformation. Soriano reestablished conformance. Musella and all Parsippany Officials need to be educated about its benefits.
Parsippany resident voters should change their party affiliation to Republican for the coming June 2025 primary and vote for Musella. Overall, Parsippany needs more political diversity.
Nick Homyak