NA DEMOCRATS CONTINUE DOOR TO DOOR SURGE FOR SIGNATURES
Unbridled overdevelopment, unwanted apartment dwellings, increased density and traffic is on the minds of neighborhood homeowners!
NORTH ARLINGTON – Democratic municipal candidates John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia took advantage of the spring weather Sunday afternoon and walked along Webster, Eckhardt Terrace, Madison and Jason Way in maximizing grass roots support and additional signatures for their nominating petitions for borough council. The deadline to file their petitions is March 25th and they expect to file a record number after canvassing the community for nearly a year. The two Democrats have secured hundreds of signatures to date and candidate Balwierczak can be seen here speaking with former councilman and Bergen County Commissioner Steve Tanelli (D), who signed their petition and offered sage advice on how best to engage voters door to door.Tanelli, who was elected to the North Arlington Borough Council to an unexpired term in 2004 was reelected in 2005, 2008 and 2011 before becoming a candidate for freeholder in 2012 (now commissioner).The former Recreation Director for the community, Tanelli coached Balwierczak as a team member of the Borough’s 8th grade traveling basketball squad. North Arlington finished the season losing in the championship game against neighboring Moonachie.
NA Democrats on Monday will be attending the annual Bergen County Democratic Committee convention that is expected to support NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy for the US Senate and 14-term incumbent US Representative William “Bill” Pascrell (D-9) for an unprecedented 15th term making him the longest serving congressman in the history of the 9th Congressional District for the state of New Jersey.Tanelli, who is only the fourth resident of North Arlington and first Democrat to serve in county government is seeking a fifth-term on the seven-member board of Bergen County Commissioners. Prior county officials were all former mayors of the community: Alexander Allan, William “Bill” McDowell and Leonard R. Kaiser, all Republicans.
Both Balwierczak and Yampaglia were encouraged by the strong support they received and the dissatisfaction among homeowners when it comes to the plethora of apartment dwellings being proposed on Ridge Road, Schuyler Avenue and River Road. “Most people do not believe this government, and in particular Brian Fitzhenry or Allison Sheedy are keeping residents informed with the explosion of apartment dwellings being proposed. The amount of empty storefronts and vacancies has many residents wondering why none of this is being discussed in an open forum for public input. Most residents agree that North Arlington is a bedroom community that offers a sense of safety and suburban living in contrast to Hudson County. In addition, many residents believe a healthy mix of Democrats and Republicans should be representing the community and they reject the notion of all Republicans all of the time,” offered candidate John Balwierczak, a longtime resident who played varsity basketball for NAHS. 
“We asked when was the last time Brian or Allison knocked on your door for your input? The answer was universal, never,” offered the candidates.Both Balwierczak and Yampaglia are the first Democrats to seek local office since 2022 and NA Democrats have not won locally since 2016 when former councilman Mark Yampaglia and Jean Williams defeated incumbents Richard Hughes and Mario Karcic.“It is clear the lack of communication with voters is evident. They see through the happy talk and rhetoric of borough sponsored propaganda that fails to address the change taking place on Ridge Road and the plethora of properties being targeted for more apartment dwellings that only urbanize, and add density, traffic and strain essential services. Keeping North Arlington small, safe and suburban is not just a slogan, it is what residents demand and deserve,” noted the challengers. 
To sign the Balwierczak/Yampaglia petitions, contact the candidates at (201) 655-8497 and they will come by your home to talk about their campaign and the future of North Arlington.