BALWIERCZAK, PRONTI WIN RESPECTIVE PARTY NODS, ON TO GENERAL ELECTION!
Democrats nominate Papile & Sever, GOP Bocchino & Karcic for Borough Council.
NORTH ARLINGTON – The candidates are set for the municipal election for mayor and borough council as Democrats have nominated John Balwierczak, Dennis Papile and Cengiz “Jim” Sever, while Republicans have renominated incumbent Dan Pronti, with running mates Donna Bocchino & Mario Karcic.
Republicans control all seven seats on the governing body, and no Democrat has served since 2019.
Democrats plan to run an issue-oriented and competitive effort against the entrenched incumbents as Pronti is seeking a third term of office.
This year’s race seems genuinely competitive, with Democrats garnering just as many votes in their respective primary.
According to the Bergen County Clerk’s office, Balwierczak received 505 votes, while his running-mates Dennis Papile garnering 478 with Sever receiving 416. Pronti tallied 517 votes with running-mates Bocchino (442) and Karcic (416).
Karcic, the last Republican to lose a local election is considered vulnerable.
“He’s the architect of this year’s budget. He needs to explain himself for this tax hike,” offered one local political observer when asked to comment.
Democrats are cautiously optimistic given the current political climate.
“I want to thank those who voted Tuesday, and I look forward to an aggressive, grass roots effort. The issue of higher property taxes, unneeded tax reassessments and the loss of our business district being replaced by this proliferation of apartments has North Arlington on the wrong track. I am committed to keeping North Arlington small, safe, and suburban. My message is bipartisan. We don’t want to be an extension of Belleville, we want to remain a gateway to Bergen County,” said Balwierczak.
“This is a strong ticket. We have a mix of youth and wisdom, two homeowners, a veteran in Dennis, and a union tradesman in Jim. All three are committed to the community. We are the team that will end these unfair tax assessments, end the apartment house frenzy and be watchdogs for taxpayers,” said Nick Antonicello, the local Democratic leader.
Balwierczak said he wants to be a “bipartisan problem solver who gets things done.”
“I can work with the remaining Republicans. I’m convinced a strong mix of Democrats and Republicans will result in ending these rolling assessments that will stabilize property increases for longtime residents, especially seniors.”
Balwierczak said he will support rolling back assessments every 7-10 years.
“Government shouldn’t be a deterrent for a property owner to maintain their home for fear of an unnecessary reassessment. Property taxes are just too high. Spending is out of control, and the result is higher property taxes thanks to this all-Republican government.”
Meet the next Mayor. 
Call (201) 655-8497 or e-mail him at [email protected]