Politics & Government

GOP to Choose Town Council Hopefuls

Michael Strumolo says Freeholder John Cesaro's vacated council seat should be filled by a woman.

The Morris County Republican Committee takes up a huge task at its upcoming Monday meeting: narrowing down who has a shot to replace on the Parsippany Township Council.

Among those expected to make a bid before the county committee for the seat include U.S. Air Force reservist and former Town Council member James Vigilante and Dr. Louis Valori, former Board of Education member and current vice chairperson of the .

Commitee member Michael Strumolo, who also sits on the , told Patch that it's time a woman had a spot on the council.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Women are half of the population in Parsippany," Strumolo said. "We haven't had a woman on the council since Ann Grossi became a freeholder two years ago. That's not right."

Strumolo said he did not know who the committee was considering, though when informed that many are whispering the name of , who is studying law at Seton Hall University, he indicated that he had heard that news.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Shah ran for council unsuccessfully as a Democrat in 2007 but afterward changed his affiliation to the Republican Party, where he, cousin (now on the Zoning Board of Adjustment) and uncle have played roles in helping promote local GOP campaigns.

"Milin is a good kid and his family works hard," Strumolo said. "I'm not opposed to him. I think it's just important to have a woman there."

The Township Council will meet in special session Tuesday at 7 p.m at Town Hall to pick from the county committee's three selections. The winner will be sworn in to serve the remainder of , which is set to end Dec. 31, 2013.


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