Letter to the Editor: Jamie Barberio for Mayor, Justin Musella, and Frank Neglia for Town Council

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

In 1980 Republican nominee for President Ronald Reagan asked the country “Are You Better Off Than You Were 4 Years Ago?” Well, our township is just a small part of the United States but a large part of Morris County. So, I ask you if the Township, “The Place to Be: Parsippany,” is better off than it was 4 years ago? If you are then vote for the status quo. However, if you are like me the answer is no. We can use all the canned reasons that it is not, “COVID-19” or “Wearing a Mask” or the “Mean Orange Man”, but that cannot and should not excuse the mismanagement, corruption, and lack of honesty or integrity that we currently have. As I am sure we all know, we cannot change the past we can only learn from it and look towards the future.

Let us talk about the future: Jamie Barberio for Mayor, Justin Musella, and Frank Neglia for Town Council. It is an honor and a pleasure to personally know these gentlemen and to appreciate their commitment to Parsippany Troy-Hills. As a member of your Board of Education over the past 8 years, I have attended many community events not related to the school district, and I always run into these gentlemen. The best part is, usually they are not running for any office, they are just supporting the community. They are smart, direct, and a pleasure to be around.

In the early 2000s, my daughter asked me if I could put up a sign on the lawn for her friend’s father, James Barberio because he was running for Town Council. I did not know him at the time, but I said sure. I have never regretted it. He is a graduate of the Parsippany school system, and he is a township resident. I worked with Mayor Barberio after Hurricane Irene in 2011 helping the cleanup in lower Lake Hiawatha. Not only was he hands-on, but he was a calming voice in a very hectic environment. During Mayor Barberio’s tenure in office, his administration attracted new business and increased Township Rateables He was always there with a smile and a hello. We hear a lot about the “surplus” which is a red herring talking point. Have you looked at your water bill lately? Have you walked through the township lately and asked yourself if this is really what your taxes paid for? This only happened over the past 4 years. Always a friend to the schools and the kids but always understanding the township’s role in Board of Education matters. One of the more notable cooperative efforts between the Barberio administration and the Board of Education was the 2016 enhancement of the SRO program for child safety.

Justin Musella and Frank Neglia are a talented team for the Council. I have known Frank Neglia since 2013 when I first ran for the Board of Education and came up short. Frank encouraged me to run again in 2014 and I did and won. As part of the Board, Frank’s focus has always been his commitment to the children of Parsippany and doing what is right by children. Frank, as the Board of Education President, and I traveled to China not only representing the school district but Parsippany and New Jersey. Frank then helped reciprocate that and gladly hosted school-aged children from China when they came to New Jersey.

Justin Musella is a stand-up guy. He brings a sense of pride in his town, community, and passion for others wherever he goes. I met Justin about 2 years ago at a Republican committee event and he hooked me. His passion and energy for Parsippany and life are uplifting. I enjoy having policy discussions with him because he brings a unique prospecting and youthful attitude which is refreshing. He is an infusion of new ideas and youthful enthusiasm that not only the Parsippany Republican party needs but the Town Council desperately needs as well.

Timothy Berrios
Parsippany, New Jersey

Editor’s note: Tim Berrios is a member of the Parsippany Board of Education and is speaking for himself as a tax-paying citizen and does not speak for the Board of Education or Parsippany School district.

Second Operation Take Back of 2021 Yields 408 Pounds of Surrendered Medications

Frank L. Cahill
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Second Operation Take Back of 2021 Yields 408 Pounds of Surrendered Medications

MORRIS COUNTY — On October 23, 2021, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office participated in Operation Take Back, in partnership with four local police departments. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Deputy Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Hanover Township Chief of Police Michael Loock, Morris Plains Borough Chief of Police Mike Koroski, Morris Township Chief of Police Mark DiCarlo, and Randolph Township Chief of Police Will Harzula all aided in the coordination of the event.

Operation Take Back is a semi-annual event coordinated nationally by the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in which law enforcement agencies at the state, county, and municipal level work collectively to host Operation Take Back across the nation. The goal is to encourage the public to anonymously turn over unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications for proper disposal.

Residents of Morris County were able to bring unused or expired prescription drugs to three designated locations – Shoprite of Greater Morristown in Hanover Township, the ACME Supermarket in Randolph, and the Stop and Shop Supermarket in Morris Plains. All drugs collected at the sites were weighed and properly destroyed under controlled and supervised conditions by law enforcement officials.

The total weight in drugs collected from each location are as follows:
-Shoprite of Greater Morristown: 185 pounds
-Stop and Shop of Morris Plains: 25 pounds
-ACME of Randolph: 198 pounds
Total: 408 pounds

In April 2021, the Operation Take Back collection held October in Morris County locations yielded a combined 631 pounds.

If you were unable to drop off your medication during Operation Take Back, you can still utilize any other permanent drop box locations nearest you, which are listed by clicking here.

Prosecutor Carroll and Sheriff Gannon jointly stated, “These bi-annual collections prove to be a much-needed community service. Participants are taking an active role in combatting prescription drug misuse and abuse. Thanks to our law enforcement and commercial partners for making this such a productive collection.”

Letter to the Editor: Soriano Brought Township’s Finances Into the Real World

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

Let me take you back to 2017. I was with several of my neighbors at a backyard barbeque when the discussion turned to property taxes. One of my neighbors said, “Don’t worry, it’s an election year and there’ll be no tax increase.” I replied that just to cover inflation taxes must go up 2 or 3 percent. No, my neighbor replied, Mayor Barberio and the council always find a way to jiggle the budget so that there’s no increase in election years. I asked how they can manipulate the budget, and my neighbor replied “they steal from the water and sewer utility.” I asked incredulously “steal”? My neighbor replied, “I guess the politically correct term is “transfer”, but it’s stealing from the future.”

Since then, I’ve done some research. In 2013, an election year, the total tax increase in Parsippany was just 0.2% but over a half-million dollars was transferred from the water and sewer utility. The next election year, 2017, we actually had a zero percent tax increase, but 3.2 million dollars was transferred from the water and sewer utility. Would it surprise you to know that over the last 10 years almost 18 million dollars was stolen – or “transferred”, whatever phrase you’d like to use – from the water and sewer utility? The vast majority of these dollars came under the administration of the former Mayor.

One of Mayor Soriano’s campaign promises in 2017 was no more transfers from the water and sewer authority, and in the current budget, he has kept his promise.

When you vote on November 2nd, remember that it’s Mayor Soriano who finally brought the Township’s finances into the real world. I’ll be supporting him this Election Day

Steve Mandel, QEP

In the Murphy Administration the Truth was the First Casualty of COVID

Press Release
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In the Murphy Administration the Truth was the First Casualty of COVID

MORRIS COUNTY — A bombshell video released Monday by Project Veritas uncovered alarming revelations from inside Governor Murphy’s re-election campaign.

In the recording, two individuals with close ties to the campaign, including a woman identified as a senior advisor for the Governor, explained that Murphy planned to enact vaccine mandates after he sealed up the election.

“Wake up, New Jersey. This is how the Governor treats our residents,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio. “He has every intention of abusing his self-appointed emergency powers to force vaccines on every one of us, but he knows the public won’t stand for it. As the past has indicated, he will issue his rules and edicts with no transparency.”

Project Veritas’ undercover camera caught Murphy advisor Wendy Martinez, speaking Spanish, explaining Murphy’s strategy.

“He’s going to do it [vaccine mandates], but he couldn’t do it before the elections,” Martinez said. “The independents and the undecided would not vote for him if he did the mandates because they’re all into all the sh**. My rights, my sh**.”

“Let’s face it. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Governor has not been forthcoming with the people of New Jersey,” Pennacchio said. “His willingness to beguile residents is disconcerting. He has refused to explain why he opened prison cells while forcing the deadly virus into nursing homes and locking the doors, why he allowed long lines in big box stores but prevented people from standing in line for in-person voting, why he did ignore the words of nursing home administrators when he was told point-blank that his policies would lead to people dying, and why he and the Democrats have refused any legislative oversight and investigations into his deadly pandemic policies.

“Forcing vaccine passports on state residents under the cloak of darkness after an election continues this administration’s long history of obfuscation, deflection, and insincerity,” Pennacchio continued.

The Project Veritas video also shows a discussion between a reporter and a manager for NJ Forward 2021, a campaign project funded by the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

“I think the problem is right now because it’s election season … I mean, once you know we have a win, he’s like, all right, guns blazing, like who cares. I’m in it. Let’s do the mandates. Let’s do this,” said the manager identified as Matthew Urquijo.

“This is the despicable treatment of New Jerseyans who endured extreme losses and disruptions under this Governor’s heavy-handed rule,” Pennacchio continued. “This is not the way elected officials should treat the people who rely on their truthful leadership. The Governor’s treachery is unforgivable.”

Letter to the Editor: Parsippany Needs New Leadership

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

This year has presented one of the most consequential decisions for residents in our town in recent memory. While we’re struggling to manage ever-increasing taxes coming from the current administration, we’re also finding out the mayor many of us voted for, Mr. Soriano has been using township resources for personal gain. I believe we need new leadership on the Township Council to stop this, members who will fight to prevent abuse of taxpayer resources and change the recent culture of incomplete budgets and shameful tax increases.

Mr. Musella came to my door last month and personally assured me that he would stand up for residents like myself and act to improve the representation on the Township Council. When I mentioned to him that one of my neighbors felt that every time they called the Mayor’s Action Center no resolution was achieved, he told me that he would take on office hours to give residents the opportunity to use his office to hold the Administration accountable. We need leaders like this now more than ever.

Justin was thoroughly impressive and stands out among the crowd. Even though I’m a Democrat, I will be voting for him, and I encourage all my neighbors to do the same.

Jay Patel

Mayor’s Committee on Accessibility Seeks New Members

Frank L. Cahill
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Mayor’s Committee on Accessibility Seeks New Members

PARSIPPANY — The Mayor’s Committee on Accessibility (MCA) is seeking members to join its ranks, and assist in advocating for residents with disabilities. 

Working at the township government level, composed of Parsippany residents with personal or family experience of disabilities, an all-volunteer, the MCA evaluates public accommodations to ensure participation by all who live and work here; advocates for anyone encountering problems; and above all welcomes the involvement and input of our fellow Parsippanyans! 

Have trouble finding accessible parking spaces where they should be? Navigating sidewalks that could have more curb-cuts and level paving? Getting a scooter in a local store? The MCA would like to hear your perspective and your ideas for improvement. 

“The MCA of Parsippany-Troy Hills is open for business,” says Mayor Michael Soriano, “and dedicated to making sure all our neighbors can contribute to our economic and social life equally.” 

The MCA will be listening to residents, and pooling its own members’ individual experience on what works best. The Committee will spotlight the most accessibility-friendly businesses in town; work with township officials to ensure compliance with the ADA and other laws; seek to partner with all local organizations, services, and activities to advance full participation; distribute information; and in time, hold public events for learning and fun, with all being welcome and able to attend. 

“Please consider joining the committee,” says MCA Chair Lily Benavides. “There are open positions, and we could use the industriousness and imagination that makes Parsippany such a special place to live, work, and visit — and the ideas that can make that true for more people than ever!” 

The Mayor’s Committee on Accessibility can be found on the township’s website at www.parsippany.net/mca, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ParsippanyMCA. Please feel free to visit the site to learn more, and the Facebook page to leave us a message, ask a question, or bring an issue to our attention. If you are interested in joining, please send a direct message via the Facebook page. 

Sergeant Robert Jamieson Retires from Parsippany Police

Frank L. Cahill
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Sergeant Robert Jamieson Retires from Parsippany Police

PARSIPPANY — Sergeant Robert Jamieson retired Thursday from the Parsippany Police Department after more than 30 years with the township. Mayor Michael Soriano delivered a proclamation at the police station, honoring the retired Class II special law enforcement officer.

“I was honored to join our Police today in commending SLEOII Jamieson after three decades of service to Parsippany,” Soriano said. “We are far better thanks to Robert’s commitment to the Township. Congratulations on your retirement and we wish you the very best.”

Jamieson serves as commissioner of the Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department. He previously served as its president and chief.

Congratulations and enjoy your retirement

Kiwanis Installs Another New Member

Frank L. Cahill
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Kiwanis Installs Another New Member

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Luke Ferrante was one of the newest members to join the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. Club member Justin Musella sponsored Luke into the club.

Justin Musella pins Luke Ferrante

Club President Connie Keller said “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new member to our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Luke to our club. We welcome Luke to our global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Luke said “I am honored to become a Kiwanis member. Community service and giving back has always been the two most important things in my life. Joining Kiwanis will allow me to further expand upon the contributions I make in the Parsippany area. I look forward to all of the great programs and ideas this organization has planned for the betterment of our community in Parsippany.”

Kiwanis Club Lt. Governor Division 9 Frank Cahill is pleased to announce that Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is now the largest club in New Jersey.

The New Jersey District of Kiwanis International currently has 80 active Kiwanis Clubs, with a total of 1400 members. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has a total of 77 active members as of Saturday, October 22.

During the pandemic, Kiwanis Operation Feeding Morris County has distributed over 229,400 pounds of food, to 5,755 families, over 11,000 children with a retail value of over $385,000. The next food distribution is scheduled for Saturday, October 30. It will be held at Parsippany High School, 309 Baldwin Road from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Any resident that needs food can register at kiwanishelps.org.  The registration is 100% confidential and is used to make sure we have enough food at each location.  Other locations include Roxbury, Rockaway, Boonton, Dover, South Orange, and Maplewood.

“Kiwanis Operation Feeding Morris County” was started in December by Kiwanis Club of Greater Roxbury President Cain Pope and has spread to many Morris County Kiwanis Club and other clubs in New Jersey as far away as Asbury Park, South Orange, Maplewood, Clifton, and Bridgewater.

Kiwanis does not ask for proof of income. The only thing we ask for is name, email address, the town of residence, and the number of children. The information is 100% confidential and is used to make sure we have a sufficient supply of food at each location and for informing the public of future food distributions. We are always looking for donations to support this operation. Click here to make a donation.

“Kiwanis club members believe in service,” said Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Laura Wohland. “They care about children. They’re interested in the community around them because the community matters to them. They’re people like you. Friends. Neighbors. Volunteers who want to make a difference.”

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  It is not religious-based or partisan in any way.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports ten K-Kids clubs, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School, Intervale School, Mt. Tabor Elementary School, Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School, and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, contact President Connie Keller. Click here to view the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany website.

Mimi Letts Gets Plaque In Town Hall

Frank L. Cahill
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Mimi Letts Gets Plaque In Town Hall

PARSIPPANY — During Tuesday’s Township Meeting, Mayor Michael Soriano unveiled a plaque in Town Hall along with Mimi’s husband, Howard Letts.

The plaque is displayed at Town Hall

Mimi was elected by the residents of Parsippany-Troy Hills 1994 and re-elected in 1997 and 2001 to serve as Parsippany’s first woman Mayor.

She was a member of the Township Planning Board, served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and was a member of the Parsippany Historical Society, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, as well as the New Jersey Highlands Council and was President of the Brookside Senior Housing Corporation.

Mayor Michael Soriano and Howard Letts unveil the plaque. The Township Council looks on.

Marceil “Mimi” Letts was inducted into the New Jersey Mayors Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2004.

More than 20 memorial plaques hang in Town Hall honoring deceased mayors and councilmembers. Howard Letts, “Mr. Mayor” attended the Township Council meeting in which officials unveiled the former mayor’s plaque.

“Mimi was a very generous person,” said Councilmember Janice McCarthy. “She gave a lot of support, and she mentored others — especially women — to become involved in politics.”

 

Letter to the Editor: Truths about the 2021 Township Budget

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

The Mayoral campaign is heating up, and along with it, distortions and half-truths become the norm. I would normally just endorse Barberio, Musella, and Neglia as the best candidates to restore fiscal responsibility to Parsippany. However, the Mayor is blaming everyone except himself for the deficit budget that he handed over to the Township Council. Neighbors have called to tell me that, in addition to his opponent, he blames the Township Council and specifically me for the deficits. A response to these far-reaching accusations is needed.

Because of the serious budget deficits caused by this administration in the past three years, it took them over seven months in 2021 to produce a budget that was “Balanced and certified”. Balanced and Certified does not mean that this is a good budget … far from it. The administration has solved its deficit problems by pushing a lot of its problems into 2022. The sustainability of this budget should be a concern to the Township for future budgets.

The 2021 budget includes several one-time non-reoccurring revenues. That means these funds will not be available to the Township when preparing the budget for 2022. In other words, the administration has kicked the can down the road. They have pushed as much of their 2021 deficit into the 2022 budget that they could get away with. The State (DCA) granted the administration a one-time allowance on budget practices and gimmicks that would normally not be allowed. The Township Council rejected the Mayor’s request to borrow $5million to balance his budget. We also prevented him from pushing another $1.1million into 2022. We felt that we should start addressing some of the budget deficits in 2021 rather than allowing the Mayor to push everything into 2022. These Council votes were unanimous and bi-partisan.

The Township’s 2021 budget contains unrealistic revenue estimates and seriously underestimates expenses. The Township should keep a watchful eye on the revenues that have been anticipated and be prepared for any shortfalls in revenue. The Township should also carefully monitor budget expenditures for the remainder of the year to allow for the flexibility afforded by the State. I assume that this would come in the form of “Emergency Appropriations”.

Even though this is not a good budget, the Township Council had no choice at this late date but to pass it. We were approaching the fourth quarter of the year. The Mayor may try to blame previous administrations, but after 3.5 years as Mayor, this deficit budget falls completely on him.

Michael dePierro

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