Parsippany Township Council Election 2021: Frank Neglia

PARSIPPANY, NJ — In just a few short weeks, Parsippany will elect a mayor and two new Township Council members. Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before the Nov. 2 General Election.

Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will get published between now and Election Day.

Here is the response from Parsippany Town Council candidate Frank Neglia.

Name: Frank A. Neglia
Age:63
Town of residence: Parsippany Troy Hills
Position sought: Town Council
Party affiliation: Republican
Family: Wife Sandra, 5 children, 8 grandchildren

Education: County College of Morris, Various Facilities management certifications/Asbestos removal License from Rutgers, University of Maryland certifications on Fire Safety, Confined Space and Emergency Management.

Occupation: Director of Operations and Facilities Management

Previous or current elected appointed office: Parsippany Troy Hills Board of Education since 2006. President for last 5 1/2 years--Appointed Parsippany Recreation Advisory Chairman since 2001 and President of Par-Troy West Little League since 1996. Also recipient of both Rotary and YMCA Citizen of the year- two separate years

Why are you seeking elective office?

I've been proud to serve as the Parsippany Board of Education President. One of the main reasons Parsippany is such a great place to live and raise children is because of the schools, its teachers, and the structures we have in place to support our students. Despite our great schools, the Township as a whole would greatly benefit from our governing bodies – the Township Council and Board of Education – working more closely together. Both bodies work for the betterment of the community, but together, they can work on tackling the budget issues that drive property taxes, while still ensuring our schools and our community needs are protected. With my experience and close relationships on the Board of Education, I know that, if elected, I can bridge our governments and ensure efficient, effective government for all the citizens of Parsippany.

Tackling overdevelopment is an imperative that must be addressed. The problems with overdevelopment extend beyond the strain on traffic, utilities, and other infrastructure. These high-density projects have s significant effect on our schools, many of which are already at capacity. If something is not done, we face overcrowding, program cuts to non-mandated programs, such as music, arts, sports, and kindergarten. It's just a matter of time. While we can't stop development, we can certainly be much smarter about the projects that we approve and their impact on our school districts.

In addition, I am running to restore fiscal responsibility to our Township. Taxes have gone up dramatically over the last 3 years, and I will demand to know why. The current mayor engaged in a spending spree, adding unnecessary positions, failed to protect our sewer and water rates, and has not or cannot explain what happened to the sewer and water fund. Our surplus has been depleted and this administration needs to explain why.

I fear that other important government funds, such as the Open space trust fund, could be next to be depleted. Shared services with the Board of Education, such as, the SRO's and school security could face elimination. We need to put a stop to this. We need to streamline government, eliminate newly created patronage jobs, and ensure that our resources are allocated where they are truly needed. It's time for Parsippany to stand up and demand good government and financial responsibility.

The single most pressing issue facing us is recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. What do you intend to do about it?

We need to help small business owners in our town. Those "Mom & Pop" businesses help make our town so wonderful. In addition, making sure that our residents receive accurate information so that they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families is important.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My professional experience includes project management for the Weichert Family of Companies' construction related activities and most recently as the Director of Operations and Facilities Management for The Connection for Women and Families, a New Jersey non-profit organization. Coupled with my tenure on the Board of Education, including my service as Board President, I've developed budgeting and organizational skills that I would deploy as a member of the Township Council to ensure that all Council expenditures contemplate what is in the best interest of our Township, both from a policy and fiscal standpoint. My career and public service has also honed my ability to work effectively with groups, to organize and evaluate projects, and to streamline and cut out wasteful spending.

With our current administration seemingly determined to not just squander our surplus, but to saddle our residents with severe tax increases, these skills are more important now than ever to ensure our taxpayers are protected from an administration known for runaway spending. I will also use my leadership skills to build coalitions against overdevelopment and in favor of ensuring that our utility funds are secured

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As an Operations, Security, and Facilities Director for over 30 years, my professional experience has required that I develop and strictly adhere to budgets, many of a scale significantly larger than our own Township's budget. Much of my time is spent preparing, organizing, and executing group projects. I've worked with people of different skill sets, ideas, and backgrounds, and have always managed to ensure that my employers' goals have been met, while, at the same time, ensuring a safe, secure, and respectful atmosphere for my colleagues. I will take those skills to the Township Council and work with my colleagues to restore Parsippany to fiscal health, to protect our residents from overdevelopment, and to replenish our utility surpluses.

As a Board of Education member for 15 years (the last 5 ½ as President) I've overseen a budget twice the size of the Towns budget. As a collective group we've been able to manage the finances of the School District effectively and continue to make good things happen for the student body, all keeping within budget.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always be respectful and treat others how you want to be treated. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make it a good one and do something good for someone.

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Parsippany Patch Facebook page.