dePierro: Commitment to GOP Never Wavered, Unlike Opponent

To say there’s no love lost between Parsippany councilmen Michael dePierro and Paul Carifi, Jr. would be a vast understatement.

After a suspicious mailer was sent to Parsippany-Troy Hills Township residents recently supporting dePierro and his running mates Vincent Ferrara and Loretta Gragnani, from an organization backing a Democratic Super PAC, Carifi and his team jumped on the opportunity to call the trio of Republicans’ party affiliation into question.

dePierro has since denied any involvement with the organization that sent the marketing materials.

As a result, dePierro has written a letter to supporters (shared with Patch by the councilman, below) explaining his side of the story. It follows, unedited:

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Fellow Republicans:

I feel compelled to personally respond to Paul Carifi’s recent baseless allegations attempting to associate me with a Democratic Party Super PAC. Paul’s recent public statements clearly demonstrate the very reason I declined his invitation to seek re-election as his running-mate. Many of you may remember, Paul Carifi’s career in politics began in 2010 when he aligned himself with Democrat Steven Olimpio in a losing effort against our great Sheriff Edward Rochford. Olimpio, a staunch Jon Corzine supporter publicly announced that Paul Carifi was part of his senior campaign organization and that Paul would become Olimpio’s under-sheriff if elected.

Fast forward to 2013, after losing during the Parsippany Republican Primary for Mayor, Paul Carifi and his current running-mates, Aida Visakay and John Beehler supported Democrat Jonathan Nelson for Mayor in another losing effort. After Nelson’s loss, Paul Carifi voted to appoint Democrat Jonathan Nelson to Parsippany’s Board of Adjustment. In fact, Paul Carifi has never won a Republican primary election at the polls. In 2011, Paul placed fourth out of four republican candidates vying for three nominations during a Parsippany Republican primary for Township Council. Carifi only ousted the great Sheriff and Councilman John Fox after hundreds of questionable vote by mail ballots were counted. The use of these questionable vote by mail ballots by the Carifi campaign is the only reason Paul Carifi holds elected office in Parsippany today.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of you during my more than 30 years of service on Parsippany’s Township Council. During this time, my commitment to the Republican Party has never been questioned. I’m disappointed in Paul for resorting to this type of smear campaign. I challenge Paul to campaign on the issues that matter most to Parsippany. My team, Vincent Ferrara, Loretta Gragnani and I are committed to restoring decorum, stability, and teamwork on Parsippany’s Township Council. I thank you all for your continued friendship and support.

Warmest Regards,
Councilman Michael dePierro, Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
Vincent Ferrara
Loretta Gragnani

Carifi, Jr. is joined by Aida Visakay and John Beehler as his running mates. The six Republicans are running in the Primary Election for three seats on the council, two of which are currently occupied by Carifi, Jr. and dePierro. The third seat is filled by Brian Stanton, who is not running for re-election.

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