County Clerk Race Heats Up Over Candidate's Military Service

A war of words is brewing in the race for the Morris County clerk's job.

Candidate James Vigilante, a Parsippany resident and a U.S. Air Force reservist, says his opponent, Freeholder Ann Grossi, who's also from the township, is accusing him of lying about his military record.

According to Vigilante, the two, and the third Republican clerk candidate, Jefferson Councilman Michael Sanchelli, spoke before a meeting of the Mt. Olive Republican club March 20.

"After I spoke, I was shocked to hear her tell members of the club along with local elected officials and Morris County elected officials that I was lying about my military record,” he said. “I am disappointed by Ann Grossi’s false accusations. I have focused on my private business experience, my service for 12 years as a councilman and my 18 years of service in the Air Force Reserves."

Grossi said Vigilante's accusation is off-base.

"You just have to Google Jimmy Vigilante to see his past irrational behavior," she said. "These statements are indicative of the kind of politics he is accustomed to. It's really a shame he is using his veteran status as a prop."

She insisted that any question regarding Vigilante's service can be found in his own words.

"He's gone from saying that he was responsible for getting personnel and cargo on and off planes in Afghanistan to his own comments that he was in charge of day to day operations at Kandahar's airport," she said. "These are things he has said at various Republican club meetings. I have nothing to do with it if people are questioning what he does or what he did in the service."

Grossi said her opponent is "stooping to make wild accusations and using his service to do it, which denigrates all veterans. Military service should not be used as a political prop."

Vigilante said Grossi told the Mt. Olive GOP about an idea she had involving veterans' government-issued identification cards and he pointed out that an ID card program exists, showing off his own card to the audience. He said his campaign idea is to expand the number of businesses involved in the program.

“While she may have been unhappy that I pointed out a flaw in her political platform, she should explain why she chose to respond by attacking my service in the military," he said.

Freeholder Douglas Cabana said he was present for the exchange "regarding veterans' ID cards that Ms. Grossi would implement if elected, and Mr. Vigilante pointed out to her publicly that vet IDs are already issued by the clerk's office and he showed his card to the audience."

But Grossi said that what she told the committee is being misunderstood. She insisted that her platform idea was not to create an ID card program, but to refine the program now in existence.

"My idea was to form connections between the county and area businesses to give veterans the opportunity to get discounts," she explained. "There are some places that will give a veteran a discount if they show their ID card, but my plan would formalize it and allow us to give veterans a list of specific places that would honor the cards."

Grossi asserted that she is very proud of and grateful to military veterans—including Vigilante—for their service to the nation.

Vigilante took issue with Grossi's view of the events of March 20.

"I really don’t think myself and all the others in that room misunderstood her when she made that part of her platform," he told Patch about what he characterized as Grossi telling a "lie." "That is when she walked out of the room and disparaged my military service. I heard through the open door that she said something to the effect of, 'He was never shot at by snipers,' and she is correct, I never was. But the airport and base that I was stationed at received over 90 rocket attacks."

Freeholder John Cesaro of Parsippany, who accompanied Grossi, said he heard nothing resembling the statement Vigilante said he heard. Cesaro noted that as Grossi stood outside a door waiting for him to buy two slices of pizza and a bottle of water, Vigilante was separated from her by 25-30 feet, a wall and a door.

"I went, got my pizza and a bottle of water, and then we left," he said.

Cesaro said he was familiar with Grossi's platform plank regarding the ID cards and agreed that some in the room may have misunderstood her intent regarding the cards.

Vigilante shared the names of those who he said heard Grossi's alleged statements; Patch is seeking comment from those individuals, but so far, most have not been available to speak on the matter.

The lone exception so far is Freeholder Cabana.

"I did not hear what she actually said, only that others were repeating what she said about Mr. Vigilante's military service," he said. 

Vigilante provided Patch with copies of his military record and his veterans' ID card, which is issued to veterans and to still-serving reservists once they've completed a tour of active duty.

His Enlisted Performance Report covering March 1, 2011 through Feb. 28, 2013, lists as his key duties, tasks and responsibilities:

• Advises/assists commander in maintaining discipline and quality standards over 165 squadron personnel
• Provides guidance to assigned enlisted force on matters of leadership, military courtesy and personal standards
• Maintains liaison with base agencies to ensure best possible services and facilities for squadron members
• Assist commander at commander's call preparing both awards and promotions for squadron member recognition.

U.S. Air Force Col. Paulette R. Schank noted in his record that Vigilante, a Master Sergeant when he went to Afghanistan in June 2011 who was promoted to First Sergeant upon his return home in late 2011, showed "flawless leadership," that he "articulates with the confidence and clarity that encourages open communication with subordinates" and that he was a "true mentor" who devoted "time mentoring young airmen" to ensure "growth and development for all unit members."

His rating, per the report, was indicated with a check mark in a box labeled "truly among the best." 

The report also shows that Air Force Col. Michael J. Underkofler concurred with Schank's assessment.

"As you can see, when I talk about my military service, which at times is not easy to do, I have the proof to support my statements," Vigilante said. "It is a shame that I even have to go to this extreme."