PARSIPPANY — A large group of Parsippany residents who are opposed to both the Town Council’s recent meeting time change and the proposed PILOT projects have organized a rally set for Thursday, December 28, beginning at 12:00 noon, according to a post on Facebook.
The December 19 Council meeting experienced significant overcrowding due to the high number of residents concerned about the PILOT projects on the agenda. This overcrowding forced the meeting to be abruptly adjourned.
Even before the meeting officially began, the council chambers were filled to capacity, with attendees standing shoulder-to-shoulder, surpassing the room’s safety limits. Consequently, Township Clerk Khaled Madin announced the postponement of the meeting to Thursday, December 28, at 1:00 p.m. at the PAL building located at 33 Baldwin Road in Parsippany. After facing criticism and chants of “Shame on You,” the meeting time was eventually adjusted to 7:00 p.m. However, Parsippany Focus has reported that the meeting is still scheduled to occur on Thursday, December 28, at the Parsippany PAL (33 Baldwin Road) but at 1:00 p.m., despite objections from the public (Click here to view calendar).
Many Parsippany taxpayers have voiced their dissatisfaction with this time change as it poses challenges for those who work during the day and wish to attend the meeting.
The Facebook post continues “If you plan on marching, here are a few requests we ask of everyone:
● Support the Men and Women in Blue they have a job to do so let us give them the space to do it.
● Please keep it peaceful! We are hoping for media attention for the right reasons, not the wrong ones.
● Leave no trace behind. We do not want to leave a mess behind like garbage, bottles, and signs. If you bring it there, please take it with you when we are done.
● Protest is, in its way, storytelling. We use our bodies, our words, our art, and our sounds.
We will distribute a flier to Parsippany’s electronic media along with all social media platforms.
Parking could be a challenge so please plan accordingly. Parking is allowed at the PAL, the Park & Ride at Smith Field, and the additional parking area next to the old Empire Diner. Please do not park on private property and no parking areas.
Bring a large sign for everyone to read and let your voice be heard! Some suggestions for signs (your ideas are probably better):
● PILOT = Parsippany In Lots Of Trouble!
● PIOLT = Parsippany Is Losing Our Top-Rated Schools.
● Show us the money! Where is it going? Hint: Contractors and…?
● Say No to Pilots. Say Yes to Schools
● Save our children #NoLargerClasses/Redistricting
● No Taxation without Representation (then put a picture of dumping tea)
● Save Our Schools
● Show Us the Money
● Who is paying for additional students? (21K per student)”
