The North Arlington Borough Government will be comprised of all Republicans in 2020, all voting the same and thinking the same way probably 99% of the time.
It will be interesting to see if there are any votes that are not unanimous, if there is nothing that will provoke an honest discussion of the issues or will the GOP Council be nothing but a rubber stamp for all that is Mayor Dan Pronti?
At the same time local Democrats have to offer a contrasting and compelling reason for change.
That did not happen in 2019 and that’s why you have seven Republicans and zero Democrats.
There are many issues that this governing body will face and it will be interesting to see what direction the Republicans take.
REDEVELOPMENT ON RIDGE ROAD
Will a proliferation of multiple dwellings continue along Ridge Road? Will rentals and leasing be the objective? This kind of redevelopment is incredibly lucrative to developers and builders, but what is the net effect on North Arlington?
Rental units can’t anticipate the impact on services and particularly our public schools which is the foundation of new spending and higher taxes. Investing in single-family homes along River Road is a better alternative as well as Schuyler Avenue. Conversion of rentals to first-time home buying opportunities would make better sense for North Arlington.
PORETE AVENUE
Porete Avenue should be renamed in honor of the individual who made added assessments a reality and that’s former Mayor Joe Bianchi.
It is sad that Mayor Bianchi has not been memorialized for his service and commitment to the community. He has been virtually ignored by this new administration and that needs to change.
RIVER ROAD
Former Councilman and mayoral candidate Mark Yampaglia had some great ideas in his campaigns and one was constructing a bike and walking path along the banks of the Passaic River.
But that will take cooperation with state and county government and that hasn’t been the case with Republicans running the community.
North Arlington is fortunate to have a resident on the Bergen County Board of Freeholders in Third Street resident Steve Tanelli, a former NA councilman.
There are only seven freeholders in a county of 70 municipalities, and the fact Mayor Pronti is outwardly hostile to Freeholder Tanelli is inexplicable and without logic.
A specific plan for River Road is a “win-win” for Bergen County as well as North Arlington needs to be a priority.
It will take years to transform and long-term planning that makes sense and award residents with a new recreational alternative that breeds new homes is something all can embrace.
SENIOR HOUSING
Senior housing has been a political football for decades and the current plans are vague and murky.
Any acceptance of federal dollars makes this senior housing for virtually anyone except North Arlington residents who would like to stay in the community.
A better approach would be over 55 housing that is new and affordable for empty nesters.
We have seen a major investment in recreational facilities for kids over the last several years, but what is being done to control taxes and spending with revenue projects that can assist in stabilizing property taxes?
MORE SCHOOL REFERENDUMS IN 2020?
The North Arlington Board of Education went 0-4 in 2019 after spending $11,000,000 to purchase and renovate Queen of Peace HS and transform it into a Middle School.
But does North Arlington support a new Middle School and why was none of the $11,000,000 invested in the school facilities the Board of Education currently operates and manages?
The Board of Education wanted to increase spending some $20,000,000 beyond the $11,000,000 they already spent.
Do parents much less anyone else support this course of action?
The days of school trustees running unopposed for reelection need to cease and North Arlington requires new leadership and better ideas on this 5-member board that is dominated by school teachers and public employees who believe spending more tax dollars is the solution to all of our educational challenges which isn’t a solution at all!
More importantly we need a Mayor and Council that protects homeowners and taxpayers from unbridled spending and that means having the guts and courage to tell the Board of Education to stop this proliferation of failed ballot initiatives that are being defeated in landslide fashion.
It needs to stop now!
We believe unaccountable one-party control of the Mayor and Council is bad news for taxpayers and homeowners alike.
North Arlington needs checks and balances and cannot be effective as a political island with no friends or governmental cooperation from our county, state and federal partners.
Obvious partisan politics has replaced responsible local government here in North Arlington.
Registered Democrats have no place at the table of governing and we have witnessed blatant nepotism and Hudson County style politics when it comes to professional appointments and selections to various boards and commissions that demand an allegiance to the political machine.
Despite these diversions and obstacles, North Arlington needs to move forward and place people over politics.
A bipartisan approach is required in local governance and getting along with other elected officials is essential to getting things done.
Being a Big Fish in a small bowl might be personally pleasing, but will the big issues be addressed and solved?
Probably not!
2020 will see a huge turnout in voters with the presidential incumbent under the cloud of impeachment.
Here in North Arlington a turnout of over 7,000 voters is quite possible.
And the two GOP incumbents will have to stand on their record.
They will have to do something, not just serve as a blank check for Mayor Pronti’s politics and policies.
But no matter what, North Arlington will move forward.
This is a community that can prosper and its best days are yet to come.
That will only happen when politics takes a back seat to serious public policy and that should always be the goal and objective.
NA Today will continue to cover North Arlington on the issues you really care about and we appreciate your feedback whether we agree or not.
North Arlington needs a media outlet that covers the issues and offers solutions as well.
We will serve as that reliable media source.
Happy New Year North Arlington!
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