An NA Today Editorial:
A DISGRACEFUL DISLAY OF ARROGANCE AND UNBRIDLED AUTHORITY.
PRONTI’S “MY MEETING MENTALITY” IS ALL WRONG FOR A LOCAL GRASS ROOTS DEMOCRACY.
Fitzhenry’s provocation of a resident from the dais was small, and typical of his inability to get anything accomplished during his tenure in office.
Democrats have a right to attend public meetings and challenge this all-Republican Mayor & Council, no matter how much they despise the thought of responsible two-party government.
NORTH ARLINGTON – In most municipalities here in New Jersey, attending a meeting of the governing body should be a positive experience, embraced by those who serve to interact with the public whether they agree or disagree on the issues at hand.
That is not the case in North Arlington. 
For if you disagree with this collection of embedded incumbents, be prepared to be belittled, or be told you will be banned from these deliberations without provocation or reason.
John Balwierczak, a candidate for Borough Council was at Thursday’s meeting and was speaking with his running-mate Cengiz “Jim” Sever when Councilman Brian Fitzhenry (R) proceeded to lecture him on the issue of affordable housing as North Arlington is one of just two municipalities in Bergen County and six in New Jersey that has not complied with the state’s Fair Share housing initiatives. Instead of successfully negotiating with the state like the other 561 other communities, North Arlington is now part of an expensive lawsuit because council members like Fitzhenry didn’t do his job!
98.9% of New Jersey communities have successfully settled their housing obligations, but not North Arlington.
Lyndhurst, Kearny, Belleville, Harrison, East Newark, Rutherford, East Rutherford, Carlstadt and Wallington are all compliant.
Towns that are Democratic and Republican.
Towns that are red, blue and purple.
Why not North Arlington?
Is the state of New Jersey out to get NA?
For the inability to govern is the issue, not some private commentary Fitzhenry could not even hear. 
Keep in mind Mr. Balwierczak was in the audience, and did not speak during the public portion of the meeting as was his right.
He was a spectator.
But for some reason, Fitzhenry was intent on picking an argument with the candidate.
If the meeting was actually managed correctly, Fitzhenry should have been ruled “out of order” by Mayor Dan Pronti (R), who seems to know even less about procedure and decorum.
Maybe these two should purchase Robert’s Rules of Order or review their own BY-LAW’s before attacking a resident of the community from chatting with his running-mate who was sitting next to him in private conversation.
This political outburst by Fitzhenry was the issue, not the mere words by two individuals simply attending a public meeting. 
It’s funny how Fitzhenry is so concerned about affordable housing obligations when he has voted to construct literally hundreds of market rate apartment units with no afterthought on how to address any affordable housing mandates. What’s even more laughable is that Fitzhenry fully endorsed the EnCap housing scheme along with his real estate agent colleague Kirk Del Russo, who as usual says nothing and does even less for that $14,000 a year salary to attend a single meeting a month!
Had Fitzhenry and Del Russo had their way, EnCap would have been constructed and hundreds of affordable housing units built they now pretend to oppose!
Where was the outrage then?
Except for voting themselves raises every year, what have Fitzhenry or Del Russo actually accomplished as members of this governing body?
These two Encap apologists were for 1,700 units of housing in the Meadowlands which would have wiped out the business community at Porete Avenue and the current Federal Express facility never would have occurred!
Hard facts both would like to forget.
But this is nothing new after a decade of an all-GOP control of the Mayor & Council.
They can’t answer to their record, so they pivot and deflect and somehow come up with excuses it is the Democrats to blame for all that is wrong in North Arlington today.
If it wasn’t so pathetic, it would be laughable.
But is anyone surprised by Fitzhenry’s antics?
A guy who is a political back bencher who raised school taxes six consecutive times as academic scores were mediocre at best on his watch as a trustee.
A guy who still complains about a successful water sale that yielded millions to the community that was deteriorating for decades under GOP control.
Fitzhenry complained about the sale, but not the mismanaged water system by the Republicans.
And Fitzhenry had delusions of political grandeur running myopic races for state senate and freeholder where he was throttled by incumbent Paul Sarlo and could not even get the support of his fellow Republicans for county office as he was denied nomination!
Candidates like Balwierczak and Sever have a right to make statements under public comment like any other resident.
That’s called democracy.
Elected officials like Fitzhenry and Pronti should not try to use their elected positions or the forum of a council meeting as a bully pulpit to stifle democracy.
We urge all residents to attend council meetings to see your government at work.
Remember, it’s your government, your democracy, not Dan Pronti’s.