NA DEMOCRATS KICK OFF 2026 CAMPAIGN AT ARLINGTON DINER, BALWIERCZAK COMMITS TO HARD-CHARGING, ISSUE-ORIENTED CAMPAIGN TO TOPPLE PRONTI AND ONE-PARTY RULE!
Overdevelopment & Random Reassessments will end under Democrats!
NORTH ARLINGTON – While the ticket won’t be formally nominated until Tuesday’s June 2nd Democratic Primary, local Democrats ascended upon the Arlington Diner Wednesday evening to support the ticket of John Balwierczak for Mayor, Dennis Papile & Cengiz “Jim” Sever for Borough Council.
Democrats have made significant inroads over the past two election cycles as Governor Mikie Sherrill won the borough and the local ticket carried three of NA’s ten election precincts, including Pronti’s home district!
On hand to support the locals was former two-term mayor Peter Massa as well as former council members Bob Myers and Patrick Roche.
Balwierczak, a life-long resident and graduate of North Arlington High School, is a former varsity basketball athlete who previously ran for borough council and has built a strong local following from his previous races.
“This contest is defined by the lack of leadership at the top. It’s about rising property taxes, rolling reassessments and failed redevelopment that has turned Ridge Road into a ghost town as local businesses have been gutted for out-of-character apartments that are turning NA into a city. I’ll protect our suburban values. I’m not in the pocket of developers, and other special interests. I’m not a real estate agent and I’ll fight to keep NA small, safe and suburban,” offered the Democrat.
“North Arlington is suffering a density problem, a traffic concern and a redevelopment nightmare. Pronti is leading from the back of the line be it his “free” water fountain lie, his $200,000 out-of-court settlement with a former library employee, and I’ll vet the businesses he welcomed with open arms. I won’t let federal raids go unacknowledged, and I’ll end these rolling reassessments and bring stable two-party government taxpayers deserve. With Pronti out of the way, I’ll work with the remaining Republicans and bring back consensus, bipartisan local government.”
“The problem is Pronti, not cooperative, two-party government.”
Balwierczak welcomed his running-mates Denis Papile & Cengiz “Jim” Sever.
“I have two longtime homeowners: husbands and dad’s for running mates. One is a respected union tradesman and the other who serves our kids as a crossing guard and US Navy veteran. We believe we offer the change North Arlington demands and deserves. Dennis Papile & Jim Sever will make great council members.”
Balwierczak pledged to end rolling reassessments day one.
“These reassessments are unfair and cruel to longtime residents and especially seniors.”
“I’ll roll back these reassessments every 7-10 years because that’s what property owners demand. This proliferation of apartments along Ridge Road will stop, and I’ll work hard to build back our business district by eliminating metered parking. More and more apartments are not the answer, but at the core of our problem. We need a mayor who puts taxpayers first, not a real estate agent who hasn’t seen an apartment project he doesn’t support,” offered the candidate.
“Each time I drive by that empty MELRAYS building I’m motivated to fix what Pronti broke.”
Balwierczak pointed to the landslide defeat of Belleville Mayor Michael Melham and his high taxes and overdevelopment policies that are being replicated here in North Arlington.
“Melham is Pronti’s mentor. He has repeated his failed policies and will find himself out come January 1st. Melham is his #1 confidante and advisor. He even had a Melham sign on his lawn. Does Dan think he lives in Belleville? And Melham was rewardedby Pronti with a municipal contract and Melham has donated thousands to Pronti’s Republican Party. Professional service contracts and politics don’t mix. I’ll be free of the politics Pronti plays at the expense of homeowners and tenants.”
“This will be a spirited campaign. I intend to hold Pronti accountable for his time in office mired in failed overdevelopment.”
Below is Balwierczak’s position on taxes and spending along with a new flyer:
