AN OPEN LETTER TO NORTH ARLINGTON RESIDENTS:
Dear Friend:
The long campaign is now over, and I want to thank all of you that took the time to vote whether or not you supported Jim Sever or myself. Having a vibrant and competitive grass roots democracy is most important to me as a lifelong North Arlington resident.
Voters need choices, not a dictated monopoly of a single individual.
I want to thank my running mate Jim Sever for all of his hard work and advocacy of our campaign.
He is a great Dad, husband and union member, and his hard work and effort to reestablish local Democrats as a viable alternative and choice for voters is now a new reality.
I also want to congratulate the winners and wish them well.
While we were rivals, we are not enemies, and we hope local Republicans would reconsider the personal attacks that do little to elevate the process of running for elective office.
We all live here.
We are all NA Vikings.
No one likes to lose, but sometimes you learn more from losing then winning.
There are several “silver-linings” in this campaign worth mentioning:
We have reestablished the local Democratic brand.
We were able to win and be competitive in several of the precincts as we won the mail-in ballots.
When compared to last year’s results, local Democrats have vastly improved our vote totals and offered residents a true, second opinion.
Despite being outspent 5-1, and all the trappings of incumbency such as partisan newsletters paid for by taxpayers, the message of ending random, rolling assessments resonated with longtime homeowners, especially seniors on fixed incomes.
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill lost North Arlington by just four votes!
Bergen County Commissioners Tom Sullivan (D) and Mary Amoroso(D) won too as well as Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36). This is the first time in years Democrats carried North Arlington!
While North Arlington remains a “right-of-center,” red community, yesterday’s results proved Democrats can win with the right effort and message!
Most importantly, the Pronti scheme to politicize the North Arlington Board of Education was roundly rejected as the incumbent school trustees coasted to and easy, 2-1 win!
Pronti’s hand-picked candidates were crushed, and I want to congratulate both incumbents Scott Hughes & Michele Higgins on their impressive, landslide success.
Politics has no place in the delivery of quality public education.
While the election is over, two issues remain regarding the out-of-court settlement of $200,000 with former employee Irene Colao where charges of racism, use of the “N-word” and a hostile work environment go unaddressed and unacknowledged by Pronti, the Borough Council and the Library Board.
In addition, the actual cost behind the alleged “free” water fountain is equally disturbing as well, because we know the actual cost was at least $238,800 of taxpayer dollars, and the name of the developer donor remains a mystery as Pronti has failed to disclose this information to the public.
A water fountain that was constructed in a flood zone with no public input or approval.
My campaign is now over, and I respect and accept the results and wish the winners well.
I want to take this moment to wish all residents a Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holiday season as 2025 draws to a close.
Should you like to speak, feel free to call me at (201) 655-8497.
Remember, it’s all about a better
North Arlington.
Best Regards,
John Balwierczak