Parsippany Democrats Formally Nominate Nelson for Council

Only weeks ago, Parsippany businessman . Now, it's official: At its Wednesday meeting at the 's main branch, the township's Democratic Municipal Committee nominated the Par-Troy native by acclimation to represent the party in the Nov. 6 special election.

"I wasn't expecting a council race this November," Nelson, 44, said in a brief address before party members. "When word came down about a month ago, I, like everyone in town, thought " until the end of 2013.

Township Attorney John Inglesino, after Vigilante's appointment to Cesaro's seat, issued a statement explaining that because Cesaro quit the council before Sept. 1, a special election had to be held to fill the seat from November through Dec. 31, 2013.

Nelson, a fixture at council meetings this year who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2005, said he didn't plan on getting involved in politics again either.

"But then the ," he said of a when the and the town learned that no research had gone into vetting Mayor James Barberio's plan.

"Most people knew it was a big scam," he said. "And every meeting since, at least until the last week and the l, this has been a council that rubber stamps everything that Mayor Barberio does. 

"That's got to change," Nelson asserted. "There hasn't been a Democratic council member in 30 years. That's going to change."

The candidate defined his council run as a campaign against the current administration and the present council, whose members, he said, "have done all they can to buy this town and to make Parsippany the laughingstock of Morris County."

Nelson said that six months ago, he reached out to the mayor with a message that , a and 2011 earnings of about $3.2 billion, was considering moving away from Parsippany.

"It was announced last week that ," he said, questioning whether the mayor did anything to keep the major ratable in the township.

"The mayor says he is economic development, yet I drive down Sylvan Way, Interpace Parkway, and I see so many empty office buildings," said Nelson. "I feel pain when I see this. Something has to be done."

He accused the mayor of simply to keep the panel's two Democratic members from having the ability to serve Parsippany.

He also blasted Barberio over his handling of water and sewer fees.

Nelson said those fees were raised during a budget shortfall several years ago during the Michael Luther administration.

"Today we have almost a $9 million surplus," he said. "Week after week I ask when the mayor will take action to give the money back to the residents, and he says they're not going to do anything until next year.

"Of course, next year is an election year for the mayor and probably then, we will see refund checks."

Nelson said he will take a leave of absence from his graphic design business to focus on the race he said he is determined to win to ensure that all Parsippany residents—Democratic, Republican and unaffiliated— have a voice in local government.

"I'll only be one of five voices, but it's a beginning," he said.

"I believe we can do it."