Candidates Share Views on Waterview Proposal, Avoiding 'Dirty Politics'

Opposing views on the Whole Foods Waterview proposal and the influence of "dirty politics" on the local police department provided talking points for Parsippany council and mayoral candidates Tuesday night.

The eight candidates present had a chance to introduce themselves and express their views to a crowded room of voters during a media-moderated candidates forum Tuesday at Lake Parsippany Rescue and Recovery sponsored by Parsippany Patch, Parsippany Life, The Daily Record and NJ.com.

Two council seats, in addition to the mayor's seat, will be up for election this year. Democratic Councilman Jonathan Nelson joined incumbent Mayor James Barberio and Republican Councilman Paul Carifi Jr., all three of whom are vying for the mayor's seat, at the forum. Republican council candidates incumbent Councilman Vincent Ferrara, Robert Peluso, Milin Shah, Michael Strumolo (a Parsippany Troy-Hills Board of Education member) and Louis Valori participated, but Democrats Robert "Bob" Keller and Mihir Oza were not in attendance. 

Among the issues most discussed during the nearly hour-and-a-half-long forum was the controversial Waterview Development proposal in which a developer is seeking to build a Whole Foods Market and townhouse community on 26.6 acres of Parsippany's Waterview tract. A group of residents from Parsippany and nearby have been vocal in opposition of the proposal, some even hosting a fundraiser to pursue legal action against Parsippany if the proposal moves forward. The fundraiser, which involved participants jumping into Mountain Lake, became the subject of one candidate's jab at another, as Ferrara claimed the not-named candidate was pictured participating in the event.

"I wouldn't go to Mountain Lakes to jump in the lake to sue Parsippany," he said.

Earlier in the forum, Peluso said, in response to a question regarding the proposal, that he thinks the quality of life of the nearby residents is an important factor and that traffic issues in particular would be a concern of his should the project move forward.

"I don't want to heighten traffic issues, I want to resolve the traffic issues," he said.

Carifi said instead of allowing new development on another piece of Parsippany property, he would rather see existing vacancies filled.

"I have no problem with a Whole Foods, but let's put it in a place that's vacant," he said. "I believe that we need to fill our vacant properties first."

Barberio said that while he also has interest in the quality of life of residents who live in the area, the number of jobs (about 500, the mayor estimated) that would be brought to town as a result of the development must also be considered.

"Jobs count and as mayor, I wanna bring as many jobs as I can to this town," he said.

Another question raised at the forum was whether candidates felt the so-called "dirty politics" and political disputes between the governing body have had an effect on the local police department and what should be done to stop it. While Barberio and Ferrara said they do not see the political disputes of the council affecting the police department, Strumolo responded that he was not pleased with the situation.

"I'm appalled with what's gone on here," he said. "I really want to tell both sides, 'Stop acting like children.'"

Shah speculated that the political arguments are the result of what he described as a few people in town "that love to see their names in the newspaper." To correct this, Shah said he would like to see town government take a more professional approach.

"I want to treat town hall like a business, so it runs effectively, so it runs efficiently," he said.

Shah was one of several of the candidates who more thoroughly explained their background and what inspired them to run. When asked why now, after stepping down from the town's Planning Board, Shah has decided to run for council while he continues with law school, work, and volunteering as a local coach, he said that town government is a passion of his and Parsippany is his home.

"When you fall in love with something that you do...you make time for it," he said.

Valori described his military experience and 21 years working on the town's police force and explained that he hopes to continue to make Parsippany an enjoyable place to live for his children and all taxpayers.

"We're all going to have our difference of opinion, and we're going to work together," he said.

Valori pledged that he will always be fully honest and accessible to the taxpayers. Carifi made a similar promise of accessibility and also pledged to reduce his salary by 20 percent and refuse health benefits if elected.

Nelson said that as an elected official, he consistently does his research on issues that come before the council and that while others may not always agree with him, "the only thing I can do is present the biggest argument I can." He expressed regret that he abstained instead of voting firmly against a local stacking ordinance and said he thinks it is the job of elected officials to continue to think of ways to make Parsippany the kind of town they want it to be.

"[Parsippany] has a lot of things going for it, it needs a lot of work," he said.