Meet The 2019 Parsippany Council Candidates

PARSIPPANY, NJ — There is a contested election for Parsippany council this fall, and Patch caught up with candidates on both sides of the aisle ahead of the general election.

There are six candidates, three from each party, running for three seats. Those elected will serve for four years. We asked all candidates the same five questions:

1. Why are you running for office?
2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?
3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?
4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?
5. What inspires you?

All candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were given no minimum or maximum word count, and encouraged to write as much as they needed, or to keep the answers brief if they wanted to. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted.

Michael J. dePierro, Republican

Why are you running for office?

I moved to Parsippany in 1965 when I accepted a job offer from Bell Telephone Laboratories. My wife Dee and I raised our three children here. Our ten grandchildren, although not all living here, still have roots here because of my involvement. For the past 55 years, I have been involved with PTA’s, Boosters, Soccer, Little Leagues, Saint Ann Church, Civic Organizations, Boy Scouts, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rotary, Sons of Italy, Craftsman Farms, and many more.

1. I have been an elected official in Parsippany for 42 of the last 44 years. I served two 3-year terms on the school Board (1975-1981). I have also served for nine 4-year terms on the Township Council (1982-1997 and 2000-Present). I have served as President and Vice-President at various time over the years. Serving Parsippany has been a labor of love for me and I wish to continue.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

There are many challenges facing Parsippany in the future. Some of those emanate from beyond our borders such as: The Court imposed Affordable Housing mandates; the New Jersey State School Funding Formula which is extremely unfair to Parsippany; New Jersey’s designation as a “Sanctuary State; and the States effort to legalize recreational marijuana. We will deal with these with the help of our Planning Experts and with the support of our Legislators.

1. Within our Township, we must continue to protect our quality of life issues.
2. By a 3-2 Council Vote, my running mates and I prevented Parsippany from becoming a “Sanctuary City” for criminal illegals. We adopted a resolution opposing recreational marijuana in New Jersey. We are opposed to having dispensaries in Parsippany because the State plans to mandate that all dispensaries also dispense recreational marijuana. We are not opposed to medical marijuana.
3. Costs continue increase and our tax base remains pretty much the same. The challenge is to utilize those tax dollars that we have so that we maximize their impact on our services. We must minimize Tax increases so that our residences can afford to remain here; Most of our Traffic does not originate or terminate here, but we must continually seek improvements to our roads and traffic lights; Safety is a high priority for our school children and for our residents. We must work with our School Board and our Police Department to find cost effective ways to improve safety. Volunteer Fire, Ambulance, and R&R Services are essential to the health and safety of our community. We must continue to support them in any way that we can. Our Parks and Senior Services are second to none, and we must find ways to keep it that way. We must also support our Veterans.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

Experience still matters and I offer the people of Parsippany decades if it. In addition to my 42 years as an elected official, I have an Electrical Engineering Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. I retired as a Systems Manager from Bell Atlantic after 30 years. I also retired as a Manager of Telecommunications from the State of New Jersey. I also served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

I am the only Parsippany Official to be inducted into the New Jersey State League of Municipalities “Elected Officials Hall of Fame”. Combined with the experience of my running mates Paul Carifi and Loretta Gragnani, we make a great team and can accomplish much if we all win.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

I have always been accessible to the community. Any resident in Parsippany can, and has reached out to me when they felt it necessary. I have always returned phone calls and e-mails. For the past 36 years, I have sponsored teams (dePierro’s Defenders) in Little League East, Little League West, and Parsippany Soccer. I have supported sports and activities for all sports (boys and girls) at all ages. I have supported fundraisers and activities for most non-profits in Parsippany (i.e., ad journals, golf outings, tricky trays, senior functions, cookie sales, breakfasts, and dinners).

What inspires you?

I love my Community. I raised my family here. With the support and blessing of my wife Dee, I have dedicated 55 years of my life to Parsippany. Parsippany consistently ranks high as one of the best places to live in New Jersey and in the United States by money magazine and others. I like to feel that I have been a part of the collective wisdom over the years that has made that possible. God willing, I have the energy and desire to continue to serve.

Judith Hernandez, Democrat

Why are you running for office?

The Township Council works with the administration to implement goals, plans for now, and, most importantly, plans for the future. In spite of recent progress, I feel the current Council’s decisions on budgetary and development issues are still controlled by the Council majority at the bidding of outside interests, with insufficient regard for the future. I decided to run for Township Council because I believe my team’s election will enhance the positive momentum for Parsippany.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

There are a few challenges facing all communities, such as communication between groups of differing political opinions. On the local level, I feel we all have similar goals, and I think those goals can and should cut through all the other “noise”. A big challenge for Parsippany is moving into the future to meet the pressures of court-mandated development while maintaining the quality of life that we cherish in our township. That includes preserving our open spaces and being part of the planning of how our township faces the future. It also means engaging in sustainability practices (economically, environmentally, socially) so that future generations can enjoy the same benefits we have.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

I see the opportunity for Parsippany, the largest town in Morris County, to do big things. To be a successful community, we need to bring Parsippany into the 21st century. That means sustainable development, including proactively protecting our open spaces, natural resources, attracting business, and addressing local infrastructure problems. My opponents have not moved us in that direction during their combined 48 years of being on Council. I feel suited to advocate for these issues. My experience is as an environmental engineer and an environmental advocate. I have sat on the Open Space Committee and I am Vice Chair on the Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee, as well as sitting on the Planning Board.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

My runningmates and I have begun that process on a grassroots level. We have been meeting people by knocking on doors, introducing ourselves, and listening to resident’s concerns. We are a very diverse township, and there is a lot to learn from each other. When elected, I will participate in the Mayor’s new local town halls and encourage community projects. Cultural events, open space activities and school enrichment activities are a few ways to enable increased communication within the community.

What inspires you?

I am motivated by our natural world and what it means for people, wildlife, our state of mind, and good health. I am also inspired by people motivated and enthusiastic for environmental causes. Enthusiasm is contagious! While campaigning, I have met many people concerned about the environment and the legacy we will leave.

In June, Councilwomen McCarthy and the Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee presented an ordinance for a single-use plastic bag ban. Attending the council meeting were volunteer groups with petitions in support of the ordinance, moms with young children, and Scout leaders with their troops. Many came to speak about why this step was important to them. It was quite moving. Parsippany taking this step towards the future was just the beginning of many steps we can take forward together.

Paul Carifi Jr., Republican

Why are you running for office?

I am running for re-election because I want to continue to serve the residents of Parsippany. I have always said that as long as I am in office I will always listen to the people. Based on how I have voted on many issues I believe residents know that. I work for our residents and I have never forgotten that. I have always strived to protect the quality of life of all of our residents. I have also worked very hard at reducing the towns budget while maintaining all our services.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

One of the biggest challenges I see facing our town is the thought of our Democratic opponents making Parsippany a sanctuary city. Secondly the tax and spend way of doing business that will happen if my running mates and I do not get re-elected. This has already been evident over the last two years as we have reduced the mayors proposed budgets dramatically again without reducing any services to any residence of our town.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

My running mates and I will continue to do what is right for our town and as long as we are in office we will never allow Parsippany to become a sanctuary city. We will also never allow massive tax increases like the ones that have been proposed during the past two years.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

The same thing I have always done I talk to the people whenever there are issues going on in town I go and listen to our residents and listen to their concerns.

What inspires you?

People Inspire me, my family and most of all my boys inspire me.

Cori A. Herbig, Democrat

Why are you running for office?

I'm running for office because Parsippany is an amazing town, and I believe I can help make it even better. I've watched from afar since moving here in 2013 as our town Council members fail to act in the best interest of Parsippany families time and time again. I’ve watched them squander taxpayer dollars on vendetta-driven lawsuits, work to divide our community instead of bringing us together, and throw blame at others instead of doing what they can and should do to move Parsippany forward. It’s time for new ideas and perspectives that will help bring Parsippany into the future in a way that unites us. I am committed to doing that.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge I see facing our community is that the current Council members aren’t harnessing the expertise and passion of the people who live here. They aren’t asking the people who live here what they think about important issues like balancing development with the protection of natural resources, taxes, and school safety. And, they certainly aren’t listening to the community. If there's one thing that knocking on so many doors has taught me, it's that people in our town care! If you ask them what's working and not working for them right now, they'll tell you. But, to get people engaged in the civic process, they need to believe that their elected officials will listen to and respect their opinions, which they don’t right now. I have ideas about how we can increase civic participation, and they all start with electing leaders who know how important it is to listen to the people they represent.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

I'm an attorney, an advocate, and a mom. I have spent my entire career advocating for families and animals, and I won't stop doing that if elected. As a professional legislative strategist, I know how legislative bodies are supposed to work, and frankly, ours is not working. My opponents, one of whom has been on the town Council for over 3 decades, are out of touch with what people in Parsippany want. They’re more concerned with keeping their seats than they are with doing what’s best for their constituents. There's too much political game playing and pandering. I know that, if elected, I will focus on doing what's best for the people of Parsippany -- all of us, not just some of us.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

At its core, communication depends on kindness, respect, and active listening. I believe that kindness and empathy are the fundamental building blocks to solving so many of our problems. It’s what allows us to see our individual and collective humanity and make choices that lead us all in a better direction. None of that holds true if we are not openly communicating with each other. In order to facilitate communication with the community, I plan to be out and about talking to residents just like I’m doing now. Communicating with people in our community must go beyond just making an appearance at organized town events. While that’s helpful because it gives people a chance to approach you, a festival or parade is not always the best place to have a meaningful conversation. Even town Council meetings themselves can be intimidating to some. I believe forums, round table discussions and even one on one meetings with constituents that are specifically organized to discuss pertinent issues would go a long way, and I plan to make myself available in all of those ways.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired every day by the young people who are stepping up where we are failing. Greta Thunberg and the students who formed March for our Lives are examples that everyone is familiar with. But we need look no further than Parsippany to find smart, committed, and active members of our youth, like 13 year old Riya Dadheech, who saw an injustice in the world and immediately got to work to make it just. She’s already raised thousands of dollars to help build bathrooms in schools in India in order to remove a barrier to education for kids, and particularly girls, there.

Loretta Gragnani, Republican

Why are you running for office?

I have lived in Parsippany for 51 years, but regularly visited my Grandfather at his Lake Hiawatha home.

I have seen Parsippany grow and prosper, become a multi cultural and diverse community. We have received an A+ rating for the quality of life in our township. As a Councilwoman I will continue to focus on assisting our volunteers, shared services with the Board of Education, and our Police Department for Security Resource Officers who contribute so much to the safety and well being of our students and residents.

What is the biggest challenge facing our community and how will you address it?

Our residents have expressed the same concerns they have in the past and now. Quality of life, taxes, safety, and the possibility of Parsippany becoming a Sanctuary City.

Our seniors want to stay and call Parsippany home after retirement. For the past two years this administration has proposed tax increases. With the help of my Council running mates, dePierro, and Carifi, Jr. we were able to reduce the massive increases.

In addition we have always boasted as having one of the lowest crime rates in the state. Why would we try to prevent our police from doing their jobs? What message would we be sending by looking the other way? For those reasons as your Councilwoman I will always vote NO for a Sanctuary City.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidates?

For the past four years I have served as your Councilwoman, I have learned and gained valuable experience in government and township issues. I will always strive to make the best decisions for our residents and township.

I was a former co owner of a business in Lake Hiawatha (KBI Design Center) for 29 years, and also as a volunteer in our township.

I am most proud of my involvement assisting our residents of Lake Hiawatha in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, leading volunteers and civilians in a community endeavor to aid our residents. For our efforts we received from Governor Christie the NJ State Volunteer Award. I also received the Parsippany Troy Hills Outstanding Achievement Award and the Italian American Woman of the Year Award.

My volunteerism includes:

Development Committee for the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Co-Chair of Cancer Relay-for-Life, former member of Parsippany Board of Adjustment, former Trustee Advisory Board and Finance Council member for St. Ann Church, recording secretary and member of Parsippany Republican Club.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

I have always been available to our residents with their concerns regarding our township whether meeting in local shops or in town. I can also be reached thru the township offices, Web-mail, Facebook, and my personal home phone number.

What inspires you?

I remember after Hurricane Irene seeing the best of Parsippany come out in the worst of times. The people of our township who came together for their neighbors was truly a sight to behold. Their courage and efforts inspired me then and still to this day.

My husband and children have always given me encouragement, support and are my best cheerleaders. It takes teamwork and commitment to be in politics as my husband Adam and I have learned over these past years.

Robert Kaminski, Democrat

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office because I have dedicated my entire life to Parsippany, from growing up in Lake Parsippany to living just up the road right now. I have volunteered for many years including coaching at the PAL to building houses for Habitat for Humanity. I want to take that service to the next level and work with new colleagues on Council to keep making Parsippany a great place to live.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

One of the biggest challenges I see facing our community is the lack of communication between the council and residents in town. Government is a team sport and nothing can get done unless elected officials listen to those that got them there in the first place. As a board member at IBEW Local 102, I know that teamwork is essential to accomplishing big things. I want to be a leader in working with the community to make positive changes happen in Parsippany.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

As a union leader that has been heavily involved in athletics around town, I truly believe in the value of teamwork. After living in Parsippany for my entire life, I have seen one the greatest place to live in New Jersey be abused with budgets that do not look out for every resident. As we all know, Parsippany is a very diverse town and one thing in particular that I was not pleased with was the failed promise of building a cricket field in town. It is time to draft a budget that follows up on that promise of building and maintaining the cricket field. I plan to use my experience with recreation to get that job done once and for all.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

I promise that if I am elected I will listen to everyone’s concerns honestly and openly. To me, party affiliation does not matter. At the end of the day, we are not Democrats and Republicans. We are all Parsippany residents. One of my favorite things to do while on the campaign trail has been knocking on doors and listening to voters concerns. I want to keep doing that, even after the election.

What inspires you?

Without a doubt, my family and my brothers and sisters in organized labor. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by loving people such as my wife, children and beautiful grandkids.