Longest-Serving Parsippany Councilman Announces Re-election Bid

Parsippany’s longest-serving councilman is looking to extend his tenure on the township’s governing body, and he’s partnered with two other township residents to help him fill three seats up for grabs in 2015.

Michael dePierro, who has served on the council for 32 years and has been the governing body’s vice president and president in the past, is seeking re-election this year for another four-year term. In doing so, he’s partnered with a former councilman and a businesswoman.

dePierro announced he is running on a ticket with Vincent Ferrara, who served as a councilman from 2011 to 2013 and was council vice president in 2012 and 2013 as well as Loretta Gragnani, a current Parsippany Board of Adjustment member and owner of KBI Design Center.

The trio is running against councilman Paul Carifi, Jr. and his ticket, which includes Aida Visakay and John Beehler, both newcomers to Parsippany politics. Three seats are up for grabs in the Primary Election on June 2, including Carifi’s, dePierro’s, and Brian Stanton’s. Stanton will not be running for re-election.

dePierro is a past president and director of the Parsippany Rotary Club, and has been a member since 1972. He’s also the only Parsippany elected official to be inducted into the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Hall of Fame.

Ferrara has served as a soccer coach in town since 2004 and as a member of the Republican Municipal Committee for 10 years.

Gragnani has received the New Jersey State Volunteer Award from Governor Chris Christie and the Parsippany-Troy Hills Outstanding Achievement Award for relief efforts assisting victims of Hurricane Irene. She’s also served as a legislative aide to Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce.

The Primary Election is set for June 2, 2015.

Pictured, from left: Michael dePierro, Vincent Ferrara, and Loretta Gragnani.

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