An Open Letter to North Arlington Residents from Mayoral Candidate Mark Yampaglia:
Dear Resident:
This has been a long and difficult campaign for our community.
The passing of Mayor Joe Bianchi changed the dynamics of this effort and only confirmed my objective to run an issue-oriented campaign free of negative accusations and petty politics.
No matter what the result, I am proud of the campaign we conducted and the platform we put forth to the voters.
Having been a candidate the longest and the only candidate vetted by voters, North Arlington has a choice to make as to who is best suited to follow the legacy and good will of Mayor Bianchi.
When Joe suddenly passed, I temporarily suspended my campaign in deference to his memory and family.
It was the right thing to do.
I was determined that if I offered you the voter a real blueprint for an even better North Arlington, you would consider my platform, qualifications, professional resume and over 10 years of public service as the most logical choice to succeed Mayor Bianchi.
Now that choice is up to you.
Public service has been an important component of my life.
Having been appointed twice and elected four times, I have the distinction of being North Arlington’s longest serving councilman and ranking member.
In my time I have worked hard to keep property taxes stable and I regard myself as a fiscal conservative, a bipartisan problem-solver who is willing to share the credit with others to get things accomplished.
I have served with three different mayors of both political parties and was proud to work with both Pete Massa and Joe Bianchi to ensure the Federal Express project became a reality bringing economic commerce and additional tax revenues to our community.
Working together with others is what my tenure as a councilman has been all about.
Moving forward I am proposing many exciting ideas and solutions that Democrats, Republicans and Independents can support:
· Bike and Running Paths at the banks of the Passaic River that will extend from the Arlington Diner to Riverside County Park.
· Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS) for hosting Holy Cross Cemetery and receiving our fair share of lost revenue.
· A Commitment to residential homes versus multiple dwelling apartments that increase traffic, density and decrease parking for residents.
· The complete renovation of the Madden Senior Center.
· The construction of pocket parks, community gardens, dog parks and a permanent Farmer’s Market during the spring and summer.
· New strategies that center upon leaf collection and snow removal.
· An improved relationship with our local public schools and Queen of Peace elementary that’s a win-win for parents, teachers and students.
· Eliminate the policy of rolling reassessments that raises property taxes and is intrusive and unnecessary for homeowners.
Offering a plan, an agenda to make North Arlington even better is what my campaign is about.
In the end these goals and objectives will keep North Arlington small, safe and suburban, but most importantly affordable!
My family has a commitment to public service.
My Dad served as our municipal judge and my brother is currently a member of the North Arlington Planning Board.
I believe I am qualified, capable and ready to serve.
I am blessed to have two excellent running-mates in former mayor Peter Massa who has served as a school board member, councilman and now as a member of the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA).
In Josie Papile we recruited an excellent first-time candidate who is a life-long resident, graduate of NAHS and a former editor of the Viking Saga. She once served as a newspaper reporter and then changed careers to become the CFO of Paragon Sports in Manhattan where she recently retired.
Pete and Josie are both married; homeowners and college graduates.
Elections are about the future.
I am prepared to lead us into that future because I have the institutional memory and a plan to move forward.
I ask for your vote and support and no matter what your decision, please make sure you vote come this Tuesday.
Thank you for your time and hospitality in which I have knocked on thousands of doors during this campaign.
If you have any final questions or comments, feel free to contact me at (201) 602-2612.
And remember, it’s all about North Arlington!
Regards,
Councilman Mark Yampaglia
Candidate for Mayor