“Meet John Balwierczak: The Neighbor Who Wants to keep North Arlington Small, Safe, Suburban and Affordable.”
North Arlington’s Next Generation of New Leadership!
NORTH ARLINGTON – John Balwierczak is a 37-year-old, lifelong resident and homeowner who has had his share of personal challenges as he makes the case why he should be North Arlington’s next mayor.
Upbeat and positive, an eternal optimist, he views North Arlington’s glass as half-full as he makes the case for change where seven MAGA Republicans dominate the Mayor & Council and no Democrat has served since 2019.
“We need a balance, a discussion. Not a monopoly and coronation of the status quo. I’m just a regular guy trying to make sure the people have a seat at the table because that is not the case today.”
Actively canvassing door to door meeting and greeting voters, Balwierczak believes affordability and protecting our values as a small, safe and suburban gateway to Bergen County matters most.
“People are afraid of being priced out of the only place they have ever lived be it a homeowner or tenant. They are seeking support, and this Mayor is not responding to the real issues of urbanization, massive overdevelopment and the gentrification we now witness with Dan in charge,” offered the mayoral hopeful.
A product of Jefferson elementary, the original Middle School (previously the Wilson school) and North Arlington High School, John Balwierczak is the type of individual that overcomes adversity and seeks a silver lining in every obstacle.
“When my father passed away two years ago, it was difficult to watch his decline and deterioration. I had to provide for him in ways that were hard and difficult. He had to retire on a disability from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PATH), so his time at home was not easy for the family. When my mother unexpectedly died earlier this year, it compounded the grief.”
But the silver lining of sorts was his sister’s marriage and becoming a mother to her son Cooper.
“My mother was ecstatic, being a grandmother changed her perspective in lieu of losing Dad. I’m grateful however short of the time she had being a grandmother and the blessing of a grandchild.” 
John looks back at his life in North Arlington as what he calls, “Viking Blue.”
“I loved playing basketball. I wasn’t very good but played hard and my favorite player was Allen Iverson, so I wore a headband when playing varsity.”
During his high school years, he worked at Arlington Pizza as a delivery boy and cleanup and also worked part-time for two seasons at Giants Stadium as an usher and ticket-taker.
After high school he then went to work for FOODTOWN as a cashier and member of Local 1262 of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW).
Due to a severe hearing disability that has left him deaf in his right ear, John is receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and is dedicated to public service as a life commitment and objective
John also has an entrepreneurial streak as he worked as a contract landscaper for four years and now is a cryptocurrency investor managing his own personal portfolio.
Originally a registered Republican, John switched parties when it came to the massive overdevelopment practices of the Pronti Administration several years ago. 
“Because I had a fairly prominent social media presence locally, Pronti wanted to meet for lunch, and he basically demanded that I be a cheerleader for projects like OPUS which he enthusiastically supported. At that meeting it became apparent there was no room for discussion as he was adamant about his position that unbridled development of Ridge Road was North Arlington’s future. Ironically, even he now admits OPUS was a mistake, but the toothpaste is out of the tube as our business district has been decimated by a series of bad practices that have strayed away from keeping the community small, safe and suburban.”
Balwierczak believes that the zealous overdevelopment has urbanized North Arlington, and that issues of public safety have now entered into the equation.
“The Ridge Road double murders coupled with the federal drug raid on the Belleville Pike have shaken North Arlington to its core. How does a retired cop remain silent on a business that was mixed up in narcotics? He welcomed The Peak with open arms on his FACEBOOK page and now says nothing. It’s leading from the back of the line,” observed Balwierczak. 
For Balwierczak, public service is his way of contributing to the community he loves. 
“If I’m elected, I’ll cut my mayoral salary in half and donate the remainder for a scholarship for graduating high school seniors. I believe in volunteer public service, and I’ll be a full-time mayor on a stipend. We need a lift in the wake of these murders and raids. Most importantly, working families and seniors need to know someone has their back, that keeping NA small, safe, suburban and affordable matters.”
Want to meet the next Mayor?
Come to the Arlington Diner on October 7th at 7:00 PM for a Meet and Greet with Balwierczak and his council running mates, Dennis Papile and Jim Sever. For details or to RSVP, call (201) 937-4277 or via e-mail at [email protected]