Letter to the Editor - Parsippany Council Election

I was pleased to read Parsippany Patch's Meet the Candidates feature last Tuesday. I hope people read thoughtfully and consider the answers instead of just voting party lines. I lost faith in national politics a long time ago but I truly believe positive change is possible on a local level, and that by supporting excellent local candidates who are passionate about good governance and truly care for their constituents, maybe that change can spread to state and national governments too. I am done with council members who are only interested in holding office, not using that office to benefit the people they serve.

The incumbent council candidates have utterly failed Parsippany by giving free reign to developers to change zoning, pave over wetland recharge and build an eyesore right in the middle of a rush hour high traffic zone. The current and past council members do not listen to the citizens of Parsippany.

Starting back in 2013 I attended the public meetings regarding the Waterview development, some of which were so large that the meetings had to be moved to PHHS to make room for all of the concerned citizens. Hundreds of citizens came out to these meetings, taking time out of their busy schedules to voice their opinions and concerns to a town council that couldn't even hide their derision and lack of respect for the people who wanted to participate and be heard. The town council as it is now and has been for many years is an ineffectual body that lets our residents down at every turn. The Waterview shopping center is a blight on Parsippany - it has already collapsed into route 46 once, and when more stores open it will clog already busy roads. Its construction has damaged the roads around it that Parsippany residents rely on.

I also couldn't help but notice the difference in tone between the responses the republicans gave and the responses from the democrats. The 3 republicans essentially tried to scare people into voting for them (Oh no! Marijuana! Oh no! Sanctuary city!) as if their election is the only thing standing in the way of Parsippany’s utter ruin, and said they would be just as accessible as always. In my experience, that means NOT accessible.

Refreshingly, Cori Herbig, Rob Kaminski, and Judy Hernandez provided positive reasons to cast our votes for them - reasons for the people of Parsippany to be proud to cast a vote instead of at best, indifferent, or at worst, just voting for the candidates who seem likely to do the least harm. Herbig, Kaminski and Hernandez are committed to governing transparently and being accountable to the people of Parsippany. They are invested in growing our town sustainably and putting the people of Parsippany first. I will proudly cast my vote for them, and I am hoping that this election day, Parisppany will see we can choose better for our town and our future!

Sincerely,

Carolyn T. Meehan