Learning from their mistakes in 2019, local Democratic leader Nick Antonicello is wiping the slate clean as he seeks two viable and credible candidates for borough council in 2020.
After a recent meeting of the North Arlington Democratic Committee at the Arlington Diner, the locals find themselves in the precarious position of not having any presence on the Mayor & Council despite the fact Democrats outnumber Republicans in registration.
“This notion of no Democrats on the Mayor and Council is keeping homeowners in the dark. Our democracy is being challenged and defeated. We need to know what’s going on and shine the bright light of open government and transparency on Borough Hall,” noted one-time elected and party official when asked to comment.
Last year, local Democrats deviated from their successful message of keeping North Arlington small, safe and suburban to no message at all. North Arlington Democrats have traditionally been the party of fiscal conservatism, stable taxes and responsible economic development and growth. And when running that kind of effort had been successful.
“Democrats said little or nothing at all in 2019. A “me too” effort did not work and never will. The purchase of Queen of Peace HS was never mentioned once and the Republicans supported it without hesitation despite the fact voters rejected all four school ballot measures by landslide proportions. There needs to be a clear contrast to the Republican message which is urbanization, gentrification, high property taxes and a blank check to developers who want to transform Ridge Road with hundreds of rental units which is driving up housing costs and causing a stress on services, especially our public schools if not scaled back,” offered one observer when asked to comment.
Currently all seven seats of government are in the hands of local Republicans, and a Democratic win in a presidential year bodes well moving forward.
“Local Democrats have won council races in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 (all presidential cycles). Large turnouts help us at the polls, no question about it,” offered Antonicello, the party’s longest serving chairman since 1999.
“We’re speaking with many people, trying to get a gauge on their level of interest. Last year we had two new faces and a veteran in former councilman Mark Yampaglia. Right now I want to stress the opportunity and the probability that we can win in November with the right ticket, message and campaign,” offered the retired labor leader and member of the Bergen County Democratic Committee’s executive board.
“I’ve been in contact with former Mayors Russ Pitman and Pete Massa, as well as Freeholder Steve Tanelli, to find the right kind of candidate’s who are committed to door to door campaigning and that takes a concerted commitment,” stated the local Democratic leader.
This year Antonicello estimates the turnout to be between 7,000 and 7,500 voters as opposed to around 3,300 in 2019 and just 1,500 or so in the special school election last December.
“This has to be characterized as a turnout election versus one of persuasion. The larger the turnout, the better off we are just based on the fact there are more Democrats than Republicans in the community.”
Antonicello emphasized the need for responsible, two-party government.
“We’ve been here before when one-party dominated the local government and voters realized and understand that’s bad for our local democracy and the need to have a healthy mix of both parties. This insistence by the local Republicans to try to eliminate Democrats from participating flies in the face of responsible governance, especially when one looks at the dismal record of the two incumbents who have no real resume to offer residents.”
Antonicello urges any registered Democrat who has an interest in running for council contact him directly at (201) 937-4277 or via email at [email protected]
The Democrats are also interested in candidates seeking election to the North Arlington Board of Education as well.
“While those are non-partisan elections, we want to provide residents a choice in wake of these school referendum failures. North Arlington cannot have a situation where competitive elections become a thing of the past. We need a vibrant discussion of the issues and individuals to step forward to ensure residents have a choice and we do not become a company town held hostage politically by the voices of just a few.”
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