Parsippany Council President Teams With 2 Newcomers for Re-Election Bid

The oft-contentious Parsippany Council is heading into another election season, and lines in the sand have already been drawn.

Thursday, in front of friends, family, and political supporters, Parsippany Council President Paul Carifi, Jr. announced he will be seeking the Republican Party’s nomination in the June 2 Primary Election as he seeks a second four-year term in office.

Rather than go it alone, however, Carifi, Jr. announced he’s running as part of a team with two newcomers – Aida Visakay and John Beehler. The three seats up for election this year belong to the council president, Councilman Brian Stanton and Councilman Michael dePierro. Neither has publicly announced his intention for re-election.

Petitions to file for the Primary Election are due to the county by March 30.

“This election is all about putting Parsippany residents first and putting a stop to skyrocketing legal bills and wasteful spending while increasing efficiencies in our local government,” Carifi, Jr. said at the event Thursday, according to a press release from Parsippany Residents First. “This past budget season, I was able to save the township $1.2 million in spending and held the line on tax increases. But more work needs to be done, and more council support for fiscal restraint than what we have is critical,” said Carifi. “I am proud and honored to be running on with a team who is dedicated to providing tax relief to our residents while protecting their services and focused on stopping Town Hall’s current state of mismanagement and reckless spending.”

Carifi, Jr. is a 41-year Parsippany resident and retired Morris County Sheriff’s Office sergeant.

Visakay has lived in Parsippany for 24 years and owned her own business for 23 years. She was named one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ magazine in 2013 and is Vice President of Employee Benefits at AxisPointe in Parsippany.

Beehler has worked in the private sector for more than 20 years managing sales teams and working with state and local government entities. Beehler is currently a member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee and co-founder, past trustee and treasurer for the local group Citizens for Health, Safety and Welfare.

Notable local officials in attendance at the event included Morris County Freeholders Dave Scarpichio, Dough Cabana, John Krickus, and Tom Mastrangelo. Freeholder candidate Deborah Smith was joined by Parsippany Councilmen Robert Peluso and Lou Valori.

Pictured: From left, John Beehler, Paul Carifi, Jr., and Aida Visakay. Photo Courtesy Parsippany Residents First.

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