Dear Editor:
As a long time Parsippany resident I watched the recent municipal election with fascination. Wondering if the voters would turnout in a non-presidential year and how they would grade the municipal government’s performance. Surprisingly the voters turned out in record numbers, and by an overwhelming majority rejected an incumbent Councilman and his running mate. The mayoral race was a lot closer, a real nail biter! In the end Mayor Barberio was defeated by 80 votes out of almost 20,000 ballots. Mayor Barberio then sought two recount which were both rejected by the judge. Then Mayor Barberio sought to challenge the election on a number of grounds. A court date was set for the challenge. Before the court date, at a pre-trial hearing Judge Franzblau ruled that Barberio’s claims of voting irregularities were based on “information and belief” without documented evidence and he dismissed the challenge with prejudice.
This entire situation reminds me of the 2000 Presidential Election when Al Gore challenged the election at the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court ruled that George Bush won and Al Gore lost, Mr Gore issued the following statement:
“I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may G-d bless his stewardship of this country.. Now the US Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court’s decision. I accept it… And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.”
Mayor Barberio has had his day in court; it is now time for him to concede the election publicly, congratulate Mayor-elect Desai, and work with the newly elected team to ensure a smooth transition.
Stephen Mandel
