DEMOCRATS CONTINUE DOOR TO DOOR EFFORT, ROLLING ASSESSMENTS & OVERDEVELOPMENT OF RIDGE ROAD ARE THE OVERWHELMING ISSUES WITH TAXPAYERS!
NORTH ARLINGTON – After a brief hiatus from the campaign in observance of Holy Week and the Easter holiday, North Arlington Democratic hopefuls John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia are back knocking on doors and engaging residents as to what is on their minds.
The two Democrats, both life-long residents and graduates of North Arlington HS gathered over 300 signatures to gain ballot access for their candidacies, six times more than the Republican incumbents and over 250 more than the required 50. 
Yampaglia, a former planning board member and small business owner of an Essex County hair salon is the brother of former councilman Mark Yampaglia, a Rutherford lawyer and the son of retired North Arlington Municipal Judge Emil Yampaglia, who served in that position under both Democratic and Republican Administrations. For Balwierczak, a former Republican who played varsity basketball for the NAHS Vikings has a hearing disability and has devoted his energies to seeking public office full-time in this campaign for two council seats.
For the two Democrats have knocked on nearly 1,000 doors and have met well over 500 residents in their canvassing efforts that began in the summer of 2023. Local Republicans have dominated the governing body as they control all seven seats on the Mayor & Council and Democrats have not won a local election since 2016 when Mark Yampaglia and Jean Williams defeated GOP incumbents Mario Karcic and Richard Hughes and one of the issues that remains the same are rolling assessments that are squeezing homeowners.
Many say these rolling assessments are not necessary in a real estate market where inventory remains low and mortgage rates high.“Many residents are complaining, and many have seen a tax hike as well. We know that because they showed us the increase,” offered the challengers. But by far, the urbanization of Ridge Road is bringing unprecedented density, traffic and a strain on essential services that is creating a “tale of two cities” in the minds of many voters.
“One couple from Union City told us they love their neighborhood, but when they have to make their way to Ridge Road it reminds them of Bergenline Avenue. They moved from Hudson County to reside in a more safe and suburban environment. They like our local schools and smaller class sizes. But they fear all the development and construction of multiple dwellings is evident and out of control,” noted the candidates.“We have yet to meet a single individual, even a registered Republican that supports this unbridled construction of apartment dwellings that are changing the face of North Arlington. They have no idea who are the incumbents and why they are committed to changing this community that doesn’t support such a radical transformation,” noted Balwierczak and Yampaglia.“While the Republicans govern from an ivory tower of luxury with their lavish municipal offices that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, we noticed at the most recent meeting Fitzhenry and Sheedy voted yes to expend over $5 million dollars in a single evening with such items like outrageous consulting fees and costs that are questionable, and in our minds, wasteful,” offered the Democrats.
“When we explain to voters who is fueling the campaigns of our opponents, the dark shadow of real estate developers, builders and alike, it then makes sense why Ridge Road is being transformed at warp’s speed.”Height restrictions along Ridge Road have been waived and this tidal wave of new construction we are anticipating is unprecedented, and if you dare to talk about it with residents because they won’t, they characterize that conversation as lies,” offered the hopefuls. The fact is Fitzhenry and Sheedy haven’t campaigned in years and continue to avoid their 100% record of urbanization, gentrification, rolling assessments, unbridled construction and this tearing down of our suburban character lacks serious public support. We are the team engaging voters, not wasting tax dollars on parade floats so they can pat themselves on the back and take victory laps when in fact, they can’t point to any serious policy accomplishments during their collective terms of office. This election will be different and so will the results,” said the candidates. 
With the weather breaking, the Democrats intend to greet voters on Saturdays at the North Arlington Post Office located at Park Ridge Drive. Next week they will be holding a campaign meeting at the Arlington Diner and a May fundraiser at the Le Venere Ristorante located on Schuyler Avenue.
For details on these events, contact the campaign at (201) 655-8497.