Dear Editor:

If a traffic stop from 2023 has no statute of limitations on its ability to be prosecuted, then neither should the Waterview No Rezone fiasco or the open-space scandal.

The depths of Inglesino corruption at Waterview and the Open Space betrayal of the grassroots accomplishment No Rezone have been ignored.

May, 2015. Open Space was promised in October 2013.
In Court to Witness this strange judicial estoppel. That the Judge should have thrown out.
The RD developer’s frivolous lawsuit against the Waterview Mall was then dismissed without prejudice by Inglesino in Morristown Court, allowing the setup he needed to allow RD to return. So, while in the service of Parsippany taxpayers, Inglesino, by dismissing without prejudice, allowed the RD developer to return again to threaten and betray the No Rezone Vote!

The use of Public Housing, as a fear tactic, which Parsippany was also sued for during this time period.
June 2014 R2014-102
Inglesino ended Highlands Regional Conformance process in 2014, which he had suspended, also in favor of his developer buddies, and for false reasons that did not apply to Highlands Conformance Criteria. PTH officials performed no due diligence at the time. (Mayor Soriano restored us and completed Highlands Conformance, which helps check large developers)

February 2015.
On Tuesday, a Morris County Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by RD Realty against Parsippany-Troy Hills seeking to overturn a decision by the township council blocking the construction of a retail development project at Waterview Plaza. (However, the developer was dismissed by Inglesino, while in the pay of Parsippany taxpayers “without prejudice”)

NJDEP Green Acres explains
As background, Parsippany Township applied for a Planning Incentive grant in 1999, which was awarded in 2000. This project allowed them to purchase properties that align with the Township’s Open Space and Recreation Plan, but they were not required to identify specific properties in the application. Once a property becomes a priority acquisition, the township identifies it and sends Green Acres a project reference map.

Please note that the township did not apply for funding for this property in 2013. The township identified Block 421 Lot 29 as a priority acquisition in February 2017. The project reference map submitted to our office in November 2017 identified Lot 29 as 26.64 acres, however, a line was placed on the map delineating the area that would be held for open space as 9.26 acres. It was understood by Green Acres that our participation would be for the 9.26 acres, and not the entire 26.64 acres
As you know, the township ultimately withdrew this parcel from the project.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Green Acres Program. the Highlands Regional Conformance process in 2014, which he had suspended in favor of his developer buddies

So from October 2013, after Barberio’s promise in front of hundreds of people after the No Rezone, no actions occurred for this to come to tuition. Inglesino had another plan.

After the No Rezone Vote, Grassroots Accomplishment, October 2013.

Mayor James Barberio said he would recommend that the township Open Space Committee buy the land to prevent a future developer from trying to force a low-income housing development into Waterview. Note: Affordable Housing by its environmental policies, does not take land in a status of open space or pending open space, nor will it take sensitive landscapes if identified by the municipality.

The theft of the local open space funding for the 300′ buffer called open space, that could of been zoned at no costs. The steep slope protection and tree removal alleged one-time allowance for waterfront, only to be implemented again at 700 Mountain Way. Both sensitive landscapes are important for water protection, Forge Pond was used as a quid pro quo, an already promised wetland that could not be developed was already promised to Parsippany by developer Mosberg

How did officials ignore this, and why did Parsippany pay $3.7 million for a Buffer?

Any land area used as a non-structural stormwater management measure to meet the performance standards in N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.4 and 5.5 shall be dedicated to a government agency, subjected to a conservation restriction filed with the appropriate County Clerk’s office, or subject to Department approved or equivalent restriction that ensures that measure or an equivalent stormwater management measure approved by the reviewing agency is maintained in perpetuity.

During Waterview fiasco the COAH Affordable Housing was suspended, due to Governor Christie’s lack of leadership, and the eventual developer remedy threats for No compliance. RD-Developer issue was against Parsippany’s refusal of another shopping mall, Housing was used a threat.

RD Developer lost to a massive grassroots movement to defend neighborhood character, and preserve a sensitive remaining landscape, steep sloped, forested, and grade A soils the best for groundwater recharge. A Rutgers Troy Brook Study on Stormwater sited this very landscape (Block 421 Lot 29) as a candidate for preservation; it was ignored.,

Finally, what is a traffic warning in 2023, compared to how Parsippany Residents were betrayed by their Town Attorney at the time of his money-machine operating here? There is much more to the story of Inglesino while Town Attorney. Was the local open space funding taken for the buffer a kickback to RD developer for all the inconvenience Parsippany Citizens gave to defend their community?

Honest services fraud occurs when someone violates their fiduciary duty to provide honest services and, in exchange, receives a bribe or kickback. No Rezone means No Rezone. Open Space Promise means Open Space on all 26.+ acres.

Nicholas Homyak

Dear Editor:

The concerted effort by the majority of the Parsippany Town Council to discredit Justin Musella for a speeding incident that occurred two years ago is an abhorrent act of political retribution that most residents will find reprehensible.

More than ever, the Town Council’s censure has not only motivated me to more ardently support Musella for Mayor, but it has also convinced me that James Barberio and his cohorts (Carifi, Neglia, and McGrath) are more interested in personal political attacks than working to improve Parsippany. It seems that they are unable to intelligently debate issues important to residents and so they resort to censuring Mr. Musella for an innocuous interaction with a police officer. They quickly identify the speck in Justin’s eye but pay no attention to the plank in their own eye (Matthew 7: 3-5).

I implore Parsippany residents to remain focused on issues important to our Town. Your vote on June 10 will send a strong message that Parsippany deserves a new Mayor and new leadership.

Respectfully,

Richard R. Corbett

Parsippany    

Dear Editor:

I have recently read several articles in your publication, pursuant to Councilman Musella and members of the Township Council. What follows is my understanding of what is taking place regarding the 2025 mayoral election.

1. The most recent article included ‘Lawfare’ in its title. I understand this term in a political context as attempting to damage or delegitimize an opponent. The term also has a legal component since it may describe a tactic to discourage members of society from forming opinions based in truth and facts, alleging that a law was broken. In what way does this traffic stop and a warning constitute what Councilman Musella has had to endure? I would question why something that knowingly happened 2 years ago is now being raised to the level of censure just 3 months before the party primary election. I would ask if Councilman Carifi ever gave out PBA cards to friends and constituents.

2. Then there is the recent ‘Shining Penny’ article in which the substance of Mr Musella’s character was attacked. In my opinion,this was an attempt of a political hit job. FYI…..The United States has never made a Penny.

3. A council member accused Mr. Musella of causing a riot at the PAL Building on December 28, 2023. Allegedly, a Council Member was cursed at and had items thrown at him. Nothing could be further from the truth. The same Council member berated Mr Musella at a Council meeting several months ago. In my opinion, this crossed the line of what should take place at a public Council event.

If this continues, by June 10th, the Township voters will have an easy decision. I suspect when the votes come in, the current Mayor will be out,

Respectfully yours;
Patrick Divitantonio
Resident of Parsippany-Troy Hills

Dear Editor:

After seeing the articles regarding the witch hunt against Councilman Musella over a routine traffic stop that happened almost 2 years ago, I should do my research on the ethical past of the leaders of this public lynching. Let’s start with Council President Carifi, who by trade is a police officer. Does Councilman Carifi give out PBA cards to people? What’s the purpose of him doing this? How many cards has he given out that have resulted in people not paying tickets? He should be asked this at the next council meeting, and explain publicly if he participates in this practice. 

Parking that aside, if we take a trip down memory lane, who can forget the decades-long lawsuit between the Barberio-Inglesino administration and Councilman Carifi’s brother. When Councilman Carifi ran for mayor against Barberio, he at the time said that the lawsuit was “politically motivated” and Barberio countered that Carifi’s criticisms were unethical at the time and may have risen to the level of official misconduct. Who said this “time and time again, Jamie Barberio resorts to unscrupulous schemes to ascertain an easy campaign victory”? You’d be wrong if you thought it was Musella because this was Councilman Carifi’s words! 

Onto Councilman Neglia, who is running for Council alongside candidate Jigar Shah (not “Mr. Patel,” as Neglia hysterically called his running mate at the March 3rd meeting), has not publicly addressed his role in the absentee ballot fraud debacle that took place a few election cycles ago. Even more, there is the rumor that maybe others should investigate Councilman Neglia giving PBA cards so others could get out of speeding incidents. 

Lastly, there’s a proverbial all-you-can-eat buffet of ethical issues Mayor Barberio and his handler John Inglesino have faced over the two decades of their involvement in public life. Most concerning was Mayor Barberio’s turning a blind eye to his pal Inglesino in representing the developers and the township for six 30-year agreements representing hundreds of millions of dollars in missed taxes for the Township and School Board. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/parsippany/articles/john-inglesino-s-firm-paid-over-198-000

I agree with all of the people that protested the censure and drafting of ethics charges against Councilman Musella: keep the debate on the issues and not on the sh*t nobody cares about.

Debbie Nemerovich

Dear Editor:

The March 4^th council meeting was pretty cringe.

Councilman Neglia lectured the room on ethics. In the same breath he expressed his outrage over Team Musella calling attention to Mr. Jigar Shah’s ballot tampering past. Councilman Neglia thinks that has no bearing on the upcoming elections. That event should not interfere at all with Mr. Shah’s political aspirations. Why would you even link the two? What a reach Team Musella! During his tirade, Councilman Neglia referred to Mr. Shah, (his running mate) as Mr. Patel.

People, you can’t make this up!

And then there’s Councilman Carifi, and if you’ve followed past town elections, you’re kinda left scratching your head. Integrity? Does he have any? Let’s move on.

Remember, the council members who voted for the PILOTS did not know they could have negotiated term limits. They didn’t have to agree to 30 years! Parsippany was known for its business parks. With return-to-office mandates on the rise, Parsippany has again missed the mark. Now, we are stuck with all these massive empty apartment buildings. That’s not the American Dream, home ownership is, and that dream is becoming harder and harder to attain in Parsippany. It’s not cheap to live here, so why does it look like it is? The re-zoning of properties has completely uprooted our way of life. More traffic, congestion, and a major strain on our emergency services and schools.

Quality of life is a real issue in this town. What’s wrong with wanting a cleaner Parsippany, a more humane Parsippany?

Two years ago, I sent Councilman Musella an email regarding a property owned by a Slumlord. Because of the state of the property and its many occupants, I could no longer enjoy my home. Councilman Musella not only answered my email immediately, but he also came to my house that evening to see things firsthand. I’ve lived here my whole life, I was shocked. That’s unprecedented.

I’m just a girl from Lake Par that lives in a “tear down”, “value in the land” bungalow. I’m not a major Morris County GOP donor like John Inglesino – but the Morris County GOP missed the memo. The party is changing. The Republicans are now looking out for the little guy, the Republicans are now pushing for more open space and less urban sprawl. The Morris County GOP has not evolved.

Team Barberio’s narrative is that Councilman Musella has no solutions, no substance. You know what Councilman Musella has? The people’s trust, earned through actions. He has motivated people to get involved and have civic pride. I don’t believe in a big government; people do daily work.

Their antics are backfiring. At this point, the only thing that could benefit Councilman Musella more is a mugshot. . .

Bridget Cazzetto