NA DEMOCRATS FILE 303 SIGNATURES IN BID TO TOPPLE INCUMBENTS FITZHENRY & SHEEDY!
Action speaks louder than words as Balwierczak & Yampaglia petitions outnumber GOP by a 6-1 margin
NORTH ARLINGTON – After months of hard work dating back to last summer, borough council candidates John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia filed 303 petitions for ballot access in the June Democratic Primary and have secured the support of both the local and county Democratic organizations headed by Nick Antonicello and Paul Juliano respectively.
The required number of signatures for council is 50, but these life-long residents wanted to make a statement that their candidacies have broad based support throughout the community and are committed to an intensive, door-to-door campaign.
According to sources, incumbents Brian Fitzhenry and Allison Sheedy filed a mere 55, just five more than the required number.
“We’re running a positive, grass roots campaign that is inclusive to the proposition that North Arlington values overcome this urbanization and gentrification of the borough. We believe North Arlington is a bedroom community and we will defend the notion of being the gateway of Bergen County and not an extension of Hudson. We plan to keep this community small safe and suburban. These are not words, but principles a vast majority of residents espouse and support,” offered both Balwierczak and Yampaglia.“We would like to thank the hundreds of supporters this campaign now has and we plan to defend the will of residents who want North Arlington first and politics last,” said the challengers.
We will offer voters a comprehensive plan-of-action regarding this unwanted urbanization of Ridge Road, this plethora of unbridled construction of apartment dwellings that are gentrifying North Arlington into a tale of two communities. The lack of height restrictions, increased traffic and congestion coupled with a stress on essential services is strangling taxpayers and by electing Democrats for the first time in nearly a decade, we will finally have responsible two-party representation,” said Balwierczak, a former Republican himself.“The Republican Party is a political monopoly that I witnessed up close. It is a monologue, not a dialogue with residents. They have little tolerance for having a healthy mix of Democrats and Republicans working in a bipartisan fashion and a civil cooperation that puts North Arlington first,” offered the candidates.
Balwierczak commented how the incumbents never tout or promote their long record of tenure on the governing body. “Since the Republicans in this race don’t ever mention what they have done, is it possible they have a record that is simply not worth discussing? After a decade of holding office and controlling every council seat and the complete operation of the government, why do they spend more time discussing our candidacies as if a spirited discussion of the state of North Arlington is somehow counterproductive? Brian and Allison have made hundreds of questionable council votes and that record will be a topic of discussion whether they like it or not,” offered Balwierczak. Democrats pointed out that Republicans enjoy a 7-0 majority and still try to blame a party completely and totally out of power for their failures. “It’s silly and just a diversion not to talk about or defend this record of rolling assessments, unbridled overdevelopment and the notion that a strong local democracy that supports all residents, and not just Republicans is somehow a bad thing,” offered the hopefuls. Democrats will propose a complete 10-point plan to get North Arlington back on the right track. Balwierczak and Yampaglia said their plan will be structured, disciplined and detailed when it comes to issues of economic development, municipal services and partnering with our public schools. “Our approach will be grass roots, inviting stakeholders to the table for their guidance and input. We disagree with policy made in a bubble with little public support. We refuse to be controlled by special interests that are driving this explosion of apartment dwellings most do not support. This will be a fact-based assessment of the current conditions here in North Arlington and how we can make things better.” The candidates said they will take a recess during the Easter season and get back to their door-to-door campaigning where they believe voters are most comfortable, and articulate the issues that truly matter. The campaign will be hosting a fundraiser before the June Primary and those interested in volunteering and joining the campaign are urged to call (201) 655-8497.