DEMOCRATS UNITED FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT FOR NORTH ARLINGTON RESIDENTS COME 2024!
Packed Meeting at Arlington Diner Strongly Suggests Change is Coming for NA Taxpayers.
NORTH ARLINGTON – Local Democrats finished out 2023 on a strong note as a resurgence of interest in rebuilding the Democratic Party continues around the probable council candidacies of John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia, who have already secured hundreds of signatures for their nominating petitions for the office of Borough Council in 2024.
Both life-long residents and graduates of North Arlington High School, this new Democratic duo have been going door to door to secure signatures and greet voters as they prepare to challenge embedded GOP incumbents Brian Fitzhenry and Allison Sheedy. Both Sheedy and Fitzhenry have a record of increasing spending, indebtedness, hiring political allies and accepting campaign donations and contributions from developers, builders and other real estate interests that are intent on overdeveloping Ridge Road with a plethora of apartment dwellings that has led to increased density and the overall gentrification of the community that once prided itself on being the gateway to Bergen County. A community that was once regarded as small, safe and suburban. But one-party government has become a political “monologue” versus a community dialogue on the borough’s future. Many believe the GOP political machine has created a “them versus us” mentality that has alienated seniors, longtime residents and school-age parents concerned about public education in North Arlington.
For Democrats have made the case that the local Republicans would rather follow the overdevelopment ways of Kearny and East Newark versus retaining North Arlington’s long standing premise of emulating neighboring Bergen County communities such as Lyndhurst, Rutherford, Carlstadt or Hasbrouck Heights.
Longtime Democratic leader Nick Antonicello was encouraged by the results of the November General Election as Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) won North Arlington and split the borough’s ten election districts, an omen that in a much higher turnout, both Balwierczak and Yampaglia can defeat the incumbents based on the numbers and the issues.
“We will do the heavy lifting. We doubt Fitzhenry or Sheedy will do the same,” offered one Democrat in attendance.
Another good sign was the number of former Democratic elected officials who turned out in a display of unity behind both Balwierczak and Yampaglia. Former two-term Mayor Peter Massa, a retired police officer, former councilman, school trustee and school board president called the overdevelopment construction poor policy that in the end is compromising the community’s long-term economic health. Massa reminded the audience that it was the Democrats who stopped the construction of the failed EnCap housing project and called for clean redevelopment in the Meadowlands. A failed housing scheme that was even pushed by then NY developer, Donald Trump. Massa, along with former council members Robert Myers, Al Granell, Tom Zammatore and Pat Roche all were in attendance seeking to turn the tide and get Democrats back on the governing body come January of 2025.
Some estimated that the turnout in 2024 could be as high as 6,800, giving Democrats a strategic advantage in a community where registered Democrats outnumber local Republicans. Other issues such as rolling tax assessments, the extravagant renovation of a part-time Mayor’s office along with pay raises for elected officials and out-of-town hires populating the police department were all issues that will contrast Democrats from both Fitzhenry and Sheedy. Antonicello thanked the packed crowd and wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and will continue to meet and organize in what they believe will be a “turnaround year” for Democrats at the local level.
“North Arlington is an island to itself, with no government or political allies at the county, state and federal levels. Fitzhenry and Sheedy will be held accountable for a record of non-results, and voters want and demand reasonable and responsible two-party government. John and I intend to make that case in the weeks and months ahead and we plan to cover the community three times,” noted Balwierczak, a former NAHS varsity basketball player who is committed to an issue-oriented effort that will result in two new Democrats on the Borough Council.“We hear the word change in almost every door to door conversation. We have plenty of work ahead of us,” offered the longtime resident.
Interested in joining the local Democratic Party effort?
Contact Chairman Nick Antonicello at (201) 937-4277 or via e-mail at [email protected].
John Balwierczak can also be reached at 201-655-8497.