“RINO” AMANDA DE CICCO JOINS GOP SPENDING SPREE!

All-Republican Council spends an unprecedented $6,095,655.40 in a single meeting, Tax Appeals Mount, NA loses Library lawsuit, payouts $200,000!

$22,000 was awarded to vendor for a single-day event, 100 safety sticks purchased, but for how much? 

NORTH ARLINGTON – RINO (Republican in name only) Amanda DeCicco was sworn to office to fill the unexpired term of outgoing council member Lynette Cavadas who abruptly moved to Lyndhurst after selling her North Arlington home.

DeCicco, who has no government experience to speak of, was selected to replace Cavadas on the GOP ticket earlier this year when she announced she was not seeking reelection. De Cicco was a last-minute replacement and has a very sketchy voting record as she failed to vote in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, calling on others to oppose the Trump candidacy online.

Here are DeCicco’s comments regarding Trump, despite now being an appointed elected official and the GOP nominee on the ballot.

 

Republicans were expected to replace Cavadas for weeks.

But the real news Thursday evening was the absolute spending spree by the all-Republican Mayor & Council by appropriating an astounding $6,095,655.40.

And as property taxes will rise again, the reason is obvious, these random rolling tax assessments that are endorsed by DeCicco and engineered by Mayor Dan Pronti (R). 

Tonight, the Republicans voted in unison for numerous refunds due to lost tax appeals: 

$3315 – Tax Refund Sherman Avenue 

$3485 – Tax Refund Biltmore Street 

$65,328.81 – Tax Refund 13, 23, 25 & 27 Ridge Road

$885 Tax refund 

$10, 750.00 – Tax Refund 2 River Road (Bell Pike Motors) 

Six (6) additional property tax refunds totaling $10,221

In a lawsuit filed against the North Arlington Public Library, a payout of $200,000 was approved, but the details of the litigation are unknown.

“Why was the Library successfully sued for $200,000? What are the details of this settlement? The level of litigation is obscene,” offered John Balwierczak, a life-long resident and candidate for borough council come the fall.

In other spending approved, the Borough Council voted to appropriate $22,000 to Cliffhanger Productions to coordinate a single day event known as Celebrate NA Day.

The Borough Council also voted to purchase 100 safety sticks, but no dollar value was indicated.

Both Balwierczak and Sever are concerned that the proliferation of tax appeals by property owners as displayed here will have a chilling effect on the borough’s finances and a stark increase in litigation and legal fees.

“The Borough has spent $353,190.57 in legal fees and services from January of 2024 to July of 2025. This level of spending is too high for a community of this size. What we said is that massive overdevelopment is raising taxes and random reassessments are further complicating taxes at an alarming rate. We need a second set of eyes monitoring this spending spree that is unprecedented in NA’s history,” offered Cengiz “Jim” Sever, a husband, father, homeowner and union member.

Attached here is the council’s agenda that approved every spending resolution by a unanimous vote. (click here).2025-08-07-Council-Agenda_250809_002916

Every single Republican voted “yes” for more spending at the direction of Pronti’s failed leadership.

“The Republicans are petrified of Democrats assuming office. Pronti has installed puppets whose only job is to vote yes, no matter how much or how ridiculous the cost. North Arlington is being run into the ground by Pronti and his political hacks,” blasted Balwierczak.

To join the Democrats, call (201) 655-8497 or email [email protected]