Dear Editor:
The other morning, on my way out the door, I spotted a glossy new โTeam Barberioโ door hanger โ the Republican ticket for Mayor and Council in Parsippany. Normally, as a lifelong Republican, Iโd toss it straight into the recycling bin without a second thought. But this time, it stopped me.

After the June primary, when the Morris County political machine made sure my preferred Republican candidates lost, Iโve been asking myself what Iโm really voting for this November. My Republican friends keep saying, โTim, hold your nose and vote the ticket.โ Sorry โ after the last two and a half years, that advice doesnโt smell right.

This administration has sold Parsippany to developers faster than we can sit through another โpublic hearing.โ Theyโve ignored residents, disrespected our schools, and turned council meetings into circus acts. Ask a tough question, and youโre labeled the enemy. If standing up for our town makes me a troublemaker, Iโll wear that badge proudly.
Meanwhile, the Morris County โestablishmentโ keeps lecturing us about party unity โ the same people who silenced anyone who didnโt play by their rules. Funny how โunityโ only seems to matter when it benefits them.
Iโd like to tell you Iโm switching teams, but honestly, I donโt know much about the Democrats either. Theyโve been practically invisible โ and if you want peopleโs votes, showing up is the bare minimum.
So, hereโs where Iโm at: I wonโt stay home, but I wonโt vote blindly for a letter next to someoneโs name, either. My vote will go to whoever gives a damn about Parsippany, not whoever the Morris County insiders tell me to like.
If that ruffles some feathers โ good. Itโs about time someone did.
โ Tim Berrios, Parsippany